New Delhi: On the occasion of World Environment Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday gave the mantra of ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ for a sustainable lifestyle.
Delivering a keynote address on the launch event of a global initiative Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) movement, the PM said that the world must embrace the concept of sustainable living which stands on the pillar of “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle”.
“The concept of ‘Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle’ is woven into our lives. The world must follow it which is also at the core of the LiFE movement,” he said.
“The vision of LiFE is to live a lifestyle that is in tune with our planet and does not harm it. Mission LiFE borrows from the past, operates in the present and focuses on the future. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are the concepts woven into our life. We all must follow it,” Modi added.
Modi in his address, noted India’s efforts in environmental solutions and the achievements that followed. He stated that the forest cover and the wildlife population associated with have seen tremendous growth in recent years.
The PM also announced the country’s achievement of completing the target of 10 per cent ethanol blending in petrol five months before the deadline.
“India’s forest cover is increasing and so is the population of lions, tigers, leopards, elephants and rhinos. Our commitment to reach 40% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel-based sources has been achieved 9 years ahead of schedule,” the PM said.
He further stated: “About 370 million LED bulbs have been distributed in the last few years which led to an energy saving of 50 billion units of electricity and ensured a reduction of almost 40 million tonnes of CO2 per year”.
“India’s achievement of reaching the target of blending 10% ethanol with petrol has resulted in multiple progresses; increased income of farmers by almost 5.5 billion dollars; reduced crude fuel import for over 5.5 billion dollars; reduced CO2 emissions by 2.7 million tonnes,” Modi added.
The PM stressed the need of the hour to solve the challenge faced by our planet using human-centric, collective efforts and robust action that further sustainable development goals.
Meanwhile, he also assured that India stands in support of any effort to further global wellness.
“India stands ready to support any effort for a better environment and to further global wellness. Our track record speaks for itself,” Modi said.
The programme was taking place on World Environment Day which is celebrated annually on June 5 and is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of the environment.
The programme also witnessed the participation of Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, Bill Gates, Co-Chairman Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Lord Nicholas Stern, Climate Economist; Prof. Cass Sustein, Author of Nudge Theory; Aniruddha Dasgupta, CEO and President World Resources Institute; Inger Andersen, UNEP Global Head; Achim Steiner, UNDP Global Head and David Malpass, World Bank President, among others.
