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Restoring nature is key to a more resilient future

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After U.S. President Barack Obama raised the issue of religious intolerance in India, The New York Times published a very strong editorial criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what it calls his “dangerous silence” on a series of communal events in the country. The editorial, by the NYT editorial board, lists recent attacks on churches and reports of Ghar Vapsi or conversion and marks out the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) for its proposed conversions programme in Ayodhya in March this year, saying the group “was playing with fire.” “Mr. Modi’s continued silence before such troubling intolerance increasingly gives the impression that he either cannot or does not wish to control the fringe elements of the Hindu nationalist right,” the NYT editorial surmised. Full text of the Editorial published in the New York Times on February 6, 2015: What will it take for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak out about the mounting violence against India’s religious minorities? Attacks at Christian places of worship have prompted no response from the man elected to represent and to protect all of India’s citizens. Nor has he addressed the mass conversion to Hinduism of Christians and Muslims who have been coerced or promised money. Mr. Modi’s continued silence before such troubling intolerance increasingly gives the impression that he either cannot or does not wish to control the fringe elements of the Hindu nationalist right. Recently, a number of Christian churches in India have been burned and ransacked. Last December, St. Sebastian’s Church in East Delhi was engulfed in fire. Its pastor reported a strong smell of kerosene after the blaze was put out. On Monday, St. Alphonsa’s Church in New Delhi was vandalised. Ceremonial vessels were taken, yet collection boxes full of cash were untouched. Alarmed by the attacks, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India has urged the government to uphold the secular nature of India and to assure its Christians they are “protected and secure” in their own country. There is also concern about the mass conversions. Last December, about 200 Muslims were converted to Hinduism in Agra. In January, up to 100 Christians in West Bengal “reconverted” to Hinduism. Hard-line Hindu nationalist groups, like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), make no secret of their support for a “homecoming” campaign designed to “return” non-Hindus to the fold. More than 80 per cent of Indians are Hindu, but Pravin Togadia of the VHP says his organisation’s goal is a country that is 100 per cent Hindu. The only way to achieve that is to deny religious minorities their faith. The VHP is reportedly planning a mass conversion of 3,000 Muslims in Ayodhya this month. The destruction of the Babri Mosque there in 1992 by Hindu militants touched off riots between Hindus and Muslims across India that left more than 2,000 people dead. The VHP knows it is playing with fire. Mr. Modi has promised an ambitious agenda for India’s development. But, as President Obama observed in a speech in New Delhi last month: “India will succeed so long as it is not splintered along the lines of religious faith.” Mr. Modi needs to break his deafening silence on religious intolerance.

Restoring nature is key to a more resilient future

### **Urgent Action Needed: Catalyzing Transformative Change for a Sustainable Future**

As the international community converges for COP17 and COP31, a critical juncture has been reached. Experts and policymakers are emphasizing the imperative for governments to actively accelerate “positive tipping points” across the energy, food, and finance sectors. This strategic intervention is deemed essential for building a more resilient and sustainable future in the face of escalating environmental and societal challenges. The upcoming summits present a pivotal opportunity to move beyond incremental adjustments and embrace transformative shifts that can fundamentally alter our trajectory towards a healthier planet and a more equitable global economy.

The concept of positive tipping points refers to thresholds in complex systems where a small perturbation can lead to large, often irreversible, changes. In the context of climate action and sustainability, these are desirable shifts that propel us towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and equitable world. For instance, a rapid and widespread adoption of renewable energy sources, coupled with significant advancements in energy storage technology, could represent a positive tipping point in the energy sector, rendering fossil fuels obsolete far sooner than current projections. Similarly, a fundamental reimagining of agricultural practices, moving towards regenerative farming and sustainable food systems, could trigger a tipping point that enhances food security, biodiversity, and soil health.

In the financial realm, accelerating positive tipping points involves redirecting global capital flows away from environmentally destructive industries and towards sustainable investments. This could manifest as a decisive shift in investor sentiment, where the risks associated with climate inaction become overwhelmingly apparent, driving a mass exodus from carbon-intensive assets. Simultaneously, innovative financial instruments and policies that incentivize green technologies and practices can create a powerful upward spiral of sustainable development. The success of these efforts hinges on coordinated international policy frameworks, robust regulatory measures, and a shared commitment to long-term vision.

The urgency for such decisive action cannot be overstated. The interconnectedness of global systems means that delays in one sector can have cascading negative effects on others. For example, a faltering energy transition can exacerbate food insecurity through increased energy costs for agriculture and transportation, while a lack of sustainable finance can stifle the innovation and deployment of necessary green technologies. COP17 and COP31 offer a critical platform for leaders to forge the alliances, set the ambitious targets, and commit the resources necessary to unlock these transformative changes. This is not merely about mitigating future risks; it is about actively shaping a future that is not only survivable but also prosperous and just for all.

Ultimately, the success of these upcoming international gatherings will be measured by their ability to translate ambitious rhetoric into tangible, accelerated action. The window for decisive intervention is narrowing, and the imperative to catalyze positive tipping points across energy, food, and finance has never been greater. By embracing this transformative approach, governments can lay the groundwork for a future characterized by ecological resilience, economic stability, and social well-being, ensuring a legacy of stewardship for generations to come. The decisions made at COP17 and COP31 will echo for decades, and the call for bold, systemic change is a clarion one.

This article was created based on information from various sources and rewritten for clarity and originality.

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