"We
are all players when it comes to fighting climate change,” said
Brikesh Singh, Greenpeace climate campaigner, as the stadium
reverberated with the sounds of the penguin’s message when 1000
volunteers from Stand A started to chant ‘It’s not nice,
to melt my ice’ highlighting the dangers global warming poses
to glaciers. “We have only 100 months to act on the climate
crisis and with the current sluggish run rate of efforts to cut CO2
emissions, time is running out,”
"Teamwork is critical for success in a game like cricket; likewise,
taking global action against climate change will be by far, the
biggest test for all nations as they need to act together as a team
to salvage the climate. For the sake of our love for the game and
the planet we must take action to fight climate change now" he
said.
Displaying
a message, ‘less than 2 degrees’, over 1000 climate
concerned cricket fans showcased the challenge to arrest the rise
in global temperatures. Scientists warn that a rise above 2 degrees
will spiral the climate completely out of control.
"I
volunteered for this activity with Greenpeace because it’s my
world to save. I don’t need to be a super hero and teaming up
with others, I will do what I can to collectively make a difference.”
said Shams, a student from 2nd year PU St. Joseph’s
College who held a letter placard with the message ‘Climate
Change is World Emergency’.
As
crowds cheered the game on, Greenpeace volunteers joined in to hold
up a corresponding climate change message placard for every
conceivable activity in the field. For example, every time a
batsman hit a four, a placard saying 'climate change knows no
boundaries.'
The
IPCC has warned that India will be one of the severe victims of
climate change and large parts of cities like Mumbai and Kolkatta
will be threatened by rising sea levels due to global warming.
Apart
from being the first day of the India-Pakistan cricket match today,
December 8 also marks the Global Day of Action against Climate
Change where citizens in cities around the world hold simultaneous
activities to highlight the climate change crisis and demand action
from their governments who are meeting in Bali, Indonesia to
negotiate on how to save the world. All Governments need to step up
to the crease and bat aggressively to see off the threat of global
warming." said Brikesh Singh.
For further information, contact
Jayashree Nandi, 0934868011 