Day 18 of #climatefast | Save Earth Save Ladakh | Sonam Wangchuk

Summary

On the 18th day of a climate fast, the speaker in freezing conditions urges the Indian government to honor its commitments to protect Ladakh's environment and culture under the Sixth Schedule. They highlight the importance of indigenous autonomy in environmental management and criticize the anthropocentric approach to development that has led to significant wildlife loss. The speaker calls for a harmonious coexistence with nature to preserve not just Ladakh and the Himalayas, but the planet itself, inviting others to join in this mission.

Takeaways

• ⏰ The speaker has been on a climate fast for 18 days, emphasizing the urgency of environmental issues.
• 🌌 They spent a night in freezing temperatures (-8°) to highlight the impact of climate change on the region.
• 🧊 Around 150 people joined the fast to remind the Indian government of its promises to protect Ladakh's environment and culture.
• 🏔 The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution is mentioned as a crucial tool for safeguarding indigenous rights and autonomy in Ladakh.
• 🌲 The speaker criticizes the bureaucratic decisions that lead to environmental degradation in the name of development.
• 🐾 The script points out the devastating loss of wildlife, with 69% of wildlife and 83% of aquatic life wiped out in the last 50 years.
• 🌳 It also mentions the loss of 30% of forests, which are vital for life on Earth.
• 🌍 The speaker calls for a shift from anthropocentric views of development to a more harmonious coexistence with nature.
• 🙌 An appeal is made for people to join in the effort to save Ladakh, the Himalayas, and the planet as a whole.
• 🌞 The message concludes with a call to action and a reminder to appreciate the beauty of the Earth.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the climate fast mentioned in the transcript?

The purpose of the climate fast is to remind the Indian government of their promises to safeguard Ladakh and its mountains and indigenous cultures under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

What is the significance of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution in the context of Ladakh?

The Sixth Schedule provides autonomy to Ladakh, allowing an autonomous council where the indigenous people's elected body decides how the mountains are managed, what kind of development and industries to allow, and what not to allow.

What is the impact of bureaucracy on Ladakh's mountains and environment according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that without the autonomy provided by the Sixth Schedule, bureaucracy decides what to bring in, leading to the plundering of the mountains and destruction of the habitat, including glaciers and flora.

What is the speaker's concern regarding the focus on economic growth?

The speaker is concerned that the focus on 8% to 10% economic growth is anthropocentric and overlooks the need for coexistence with nature and other forms of life on the planet.

What statistics does the speaker provide about wildlife loss in the last 50 years?

According to the speaker, 69% of wildlife has been wiped off from the planet in the last 50 years, and 83% of the equatorial life has been wiped off.

How does the speaker connect the loss of wildlife and forests to human existence?

The speaker connects the loss of wildlife and forests to human existence by stating that humans depend on these natural elements, and without them, the planet could become uninhabitable, like Mars or the Moon.

What is the speaker's call to action for the audience?

The speaker calls on the audience to stand up and join the effort to save Ladakh, the glaciers, the Himalayas, and the planet while there is still time.

Why did approximately 150 people sleep out in the open with the speaker?

About 150 people slept out in the open with the speaker as a part of the climate fast to demonstrate their commitment to the cause and to draw attention to the issues affecting Ladakh and its environment.

What is the speaker's view on the relationship between development and the environment?

The speaker views development as being currently too anthropocentric and harmful to the environment, advocating for a more harmonious coexistence with nature.

What is the main message the speaker wants to convey about the planet's future?

The main message is that for humans to survive on the planet, there must be a shift towards coexistence in harmony with nature, recognizing that humans are not the only inhabitants of the planet.