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The activist roots of U.S.-India climate collaboration [1]

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Date: 2024-06-12 19:00:53+00:00

As the United States and India undertake billions of dollars of investment in clean energy, environmental conservation and addressing the climate crisis, it is important to remember the rich history of advocacy and activism that paved the way for this collaboration.

Environmental awareness in the U.S. is often traced back to Rachel Carson’s seminal 1962 book, Silent Spring. Carson’s vivid depiction of the harmful effects of pesticides, such as the haunting image of a town where “no bird sang,” galvanized the modern environmental movement. Her work led to greater activism and eventually a nationwide ban on DDT and other regulatory actions.

In 1970, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day to raise public consciousness about environmental issues. What began as teach-ins on college campuses has now become a global phenomenon, with over a billion people across 190 countries participating each year on April 22 in activities like tree plantings, community cleanups and environmental protection advocacy.

Around the same time, the environmental movement was also taking root in India. In the early 1970s, environmental activists like Chandi Prasad Bhatt helped establish the Chipko movement, a nonviolent social and ecological movement by rural villagers that aimed to protect forests and empower local communities. Chipko activists, particularly women from Himalayan villages, embraced trees to prevent loggers from felling them, securing Indigenous land rights and inspiring grassroots environmental campaigns worldwide.

Similarly, Rajendra Singh, affectionately known as the “waterman of India,” has been instrumental in reviving traditional rainwater harvesting practices like johads (small ponds). His efforts have contributed to the revitalization of drought-prone villages across India.

The legacy of these early advocates has significantly influenced the collaborative environmental policies of the U.S. and India. Initiatives such as the Clean Energy Ministerial, the U.S.-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership, and the Climate Action and Finance Mobilization Dialogue are direct outcomes of this historical activism. These programs leverage advanced technologies like satellite data to inform environmental policies and drive innovation in areas like renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.

The U.S.-India collaboration on climate extends beyond political agreements, embodying a shared vision for addressing global environmental challenges. Through joint efforts in clean energy, air quality and sustainable development, both nations contribute to a more sustainable global future.

But more work is needed to carry on the legacy of those trailblazing environmentalists and protect our planet for future generations.

“The entire world is watching us,” Indian Prime Minister Modi said at COP28, a U.N. climate conference. “Mother Earth is looking toward us to protect her future. We have to succeed.”

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[1] Url: https://share.america.gov/the-activist-roots-of-u-s-india-climate-collaboration/

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