‘Change lifestyle to reduce carbon footprint’

Mangaluru: Prof Sachin Chaturvedi, director general of the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), New Delhi, called for a change in lifestyle to reduce carbon footprints. Delivering the 42nd annual convocation address at Mangalore University, he said the purpose of LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) is to make sustainable lifestyles a mass movement.“In recognition of India’s efforts in changing the global debate on climate change, the G20 Bali Leaders’ Declaration endorsed the concept of sustainable development and lifestyles, resource efficiency, and circular economy. Under India’s presidency of G20, LiFE gained added momentum as it won support from the international community as well as from those aspiring for a healthy green lifestyle,” he said.
Stating that there are five prominent facets of LiFE, he mentioned, “They are sustainable consumption and production (SCP), including circular economy; reorienting development finance and promoting resilient infrastructure financing; measuring wellbeing going beyond GDP; embracing social enterprises and community participation for sustainable and equitable development; and mainstreaming ethical and value-based economic systems, technology development, and global governance.” He emphasised that LiFE has a vital role in accelerating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). “As the world grapples with the alarming pace of climate change, rising inequality, and the need for an ethical reformation of global relations, LiFE emerges as a practical pathway toward a sustainable and equitable future,” he said.
The chancellor of the university and Karnataka governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot, in his presidential address, called upon students, including those who obtained PhD., to take up the responsibility of spreading education, especially among poor children in villages. “If possible, help children who are not able to afford education expenses. Education plays a major role in making life successful. Education makes one skilled and thereby helps in achieving success in life. Blend education with values so that it will help in the well-being of the world and mankind,” the governor said.
Stressing the need for a reduction of the gap in environmental imbalance, Gehlot said everyone should put their best efforts to reduce the ecological imbalance. He also insisted on replacing the use of conventional energy with solar energy to protect nature.
The governor conferred honorary doctorates on K Prakash Shetty, founder chairman of MRG Group; Thumbay Moideen, founder and president of Thumbay Group; and NRI businessman Ronald Colaco on the occasion. Minister for higher education MC Sudhakar, who is also the pro-chancellor of the university, spoke.
Confusion, changes in proceedings
There was confusion and chaos at the convocation, with the governor making a few changes to the proceedings. Normally, the national anthem is sung at the end of the convocation. However, the governor insisted on singing it at the beginning of the convocation, followed by the state anthem and the university anthem.
Later, instead of handing over the PhD degrees individually to the candidates, the governor called them all onto the stage in batches for a group photo with the dignitaries. Furthermore, the convocation of the university never used to include a felicitation of the guests. However, the governor asked the authorities to felicitate the guests.