In the country with more than 1.3 billion population, Environment and cleanliness is a prime concern. Sanity and clean Environment is a necessity and important factor of a healthy community. As developing country India

Facing environmental crisis, Out of the 30 most polluted cities in the world, 22 are from India. 22 are from India. Hence it the time to be heard and act on the issue. So we need a Candidate is not only a Leader but also a representative of Environmental issues.

Well, the 2019 Generals Elections are here, together we can bring the change to our Environment & health. Let us choose Representatives who are conscious about the Environment and undertake Development Activities which are not or less hazardous to the Environment

Here is a bird’s eye view of some issues of concern, To give you an idea where we stand in terms of Environment protection

Plastic Pollution: As a record-breaking sailor, Dame Ellen MacArthur has seen more of the world’s oceans than almost anyone else. Now she is warning that there will be more waste plastic in the sea than fish by 2050 the country generates 25,940 tonnes of waste daily. At least 40% of this is uncollected. 

Climate Change: The economic survey, says "estimates indicate that currently, India incurs losses of about $ 9-10 billion annually due to extreme weather events, Climate Change, read more India has said climate change could cut agricultural incomes, particularly unirrigated areas that would be hit hardest by rising temperatures and declines in rainfall.

Air Pollution : Although India has a low per capita greenhouse gas emission, overall, it is the third largest polluter after China and the United States.
It is reported that 13 of the world's 20 cities with the highest annual levels of air pollution are in India. It is also declared that 11 of the 12 cities with the highest levels of particulate pollution are located in India.

Deforestation:Deforestation reducing monsoon rainfall in India: the new study,India’s forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate:
Government data showed that 14,000 km2 of forests were destroyed to accommodate 23,716 industrial projects in India over the last 30 years.
•From 2005 to 2007, India lost 2,206 km2 of dense forests, which increased to 6,407 km2 in 2015–2017.
•If this trend continues, the Indian forest value may reach zero in the next 20 years or so. 

Water Pollution:

India’s booming population and rapidly expanding urban areas and  Domestic sewerage responsible for 75-80% of surface water pollution. read more Water pollution can have some tremendously-adverse effect on the health of any and every life form living read more

Wildlife & Habitat Conservation:

India, home to four of the world’s mega-biodiversity hotspots, is valued for its abundant wildlife and diverse habitat types. However, Flagship species, such as the Indian Bengal Tiger and Indian Elephant are now critically endangered. However, the Government of India has undertaken many initiatives to conserve wildlife and their habitats, such as the following:
Currently, India’s wildlife is preserved in 120+ national parks, 515 wildlife sanctuaries, 26 wetlands, and 18 bio-reserves. Some of the legal measures include the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, Prevention of Cruelty To Animals 1960, Forest Conservation Act 1980, Biological Diversity Act 2002, etc.

Disposing Toxics & Chemicals

A major issue whose critical nature is highly underestimated by the Government and people of India is hazardous waste disposal. Hazardous waste is highly dangerous because of its direct detrimental effects on human and environmental health. The following is an outline of the status of hazardous waste disposal in India.The Indian chemical industry, the 4th largest industry in India, is a prime contributor. Around 43,936 industries in India generate over 70 lakh tonnes of hazardous waste annually, and hazardous waste generation in India is rising at a rate of 2–5% per year.

Environmental Justice

Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of their caste, place of origin, income or class with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. The lower income community are the one who is highly affected by pollution.

The affected people can approach the National Green Tribunal, courts in cases of environmental injustice. Also, it is our collective responsibility to ensure environmental justice.

Agriculture &  Food security:

India with 195 million has the highest number of undernourished people. The statistics are appalling. The data from World Bank clearly indicates that ‘India has one of the world’s highest demographics of children suffering from malnutrition, said to be double that of Sub-

Saharan Africa’. According to UNICEF, nearly half of all deaths in children under 5, in India, are attributable to undernutrition.To provide food Security is to ensure that people at all times have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Various government programmes over the years have helped India to fight with this problem. Food is a fundamental human right as declared by the UN Human rights commission.

What you guys can do is to question your constituency leaders about their plans for the environmental problems of the constituency, use social media to create campaigns to make our voices heard to the political leaderships of the country, vote for candidates or parties which have better environmental plans for the country. 

Join the Movement, Pledge to Choose Environment

Find more Info about the Campaign & Resources at: https://www.acceleratesd.org/chooseenvironment

Note: We are not Endorsing any political party nor promoting any Politician.

This Campaign is run by AccelerateSD, ASDCAEC Earth Foundation. We are a Nonprofit organization working for Environmental Conservation. The Aim of this Campaign is to inspire Citizens to Vote and encourage them to consider Environment while Electing the Leaders.