27th August : Over ten thousand environment enthusiasts across 300+ cities globally came forward for the Move for Earth global cycle ride as a voice for climate action across the world. SwitchOn Foundation brought together multiple experts and in collaboration with prominent National and International organizations, organized the global cycling event urging the global leaders to take urgent action for a cleaner and sustainable future. Delhi, Maharashtra, Jharkahnd, Odisha , West Bengal, Punjab, Hariyana, Kochi, Trivandram and 11 other states actively took part in this global cycle ride wherein 10,000 cyclists from more than 80 cities pedaled for the planet. Thousands of Environment enthusiasts from various cities across the country  participated in the ride for collective climate action.

As global leaders came to India before G20, this initiative is an appeal to global leaders to commit to global action. An open letter was put together appealing urgent climate action which was signed by experts such as:

• Justice Anjana Prakash- Sr. Advocate, Supreme Court of India
• Prof Chetan Singh Solanki – Founder Energy Swaraj Foundation
• Vandana Shiva – Environmentalist
• Kumi naidoo- Special Advisor, Green Economy Coalition, South Africa
• Tushar Gandhi- Founder-President, Mahatma Gandhi Foundation
• Liziwe Mcdaid- Eco-Justice Lead, Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI)
• Raghu Rai- Photojournalist, Founder Raghu Rai Foundation
• Shashi Tharoor- Member of Parliament , Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for External Affairs

Amongst multiple experts and over 300 organizations, these letters have been sent to Chief Ministers of the state, Prime Minister and also leaders of all the G20 countries. This open letter serves as a call to action, an invitation to unite as a community and tackle the challenges that lie ahead.

Mr. Vinay Jaju, Managing Director, SwitchON Foundation said,“Climate change is a global crisis with real consequences. The statistics are alarming, and we are already witnessing its effects on vulnerable communities. Our open letter outlines the severity of this very problem and suggests solutions regarding the same. The Move For Earth community is committed to championing this change, and all of us coming together today shows our commitment to the cause. Together, we shall ride to pave the way for a better and brighter future for all.”

According to a Bloomberg study, climate change is linked to 5 million deaths worldwide with nearly 10% of them connected to extreme weather, including excessive heat. Similarly, IPCC’s Sixth Assessment predicts a bleak climate future unless timely corrective measures are implemented. The assessment estimates that global warming will continue to increase from 2021 to 2040 under all scenarios with the temperature more likely to touch 1.5°C even under the very low GHG emission scenario. According to the United Nations, the Arctic is warming 2-3 times faster than any other place on Earth. The World Meteorological Organization stated that the global mean sea level reached a new record high in 2021, rising an average of 4.5 millimeters per year from 2013 to 2021. The adverse effects of climate change such as erratic and unseasonal rain, drought, extreme heat, and flooding have started challenging the water, energy, and food security of poor nations. Coupled with a burgeoning world population, this will intensify global poverty and hunger, affecting women and children the most.

This aligns with Mission LIFE of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GOI and Mission Life is backing this initiative happening across all of these states. Drawing inspiration from India’s commitment to reducing emissions, the Move for Earth Global Cycle Ride urges for urgent climate action.

Climate change is real and it is resulting in detrimental impacts. For a sustainable future, we need to take collective action to fight for the cause. Some of the Key Appeal of the open letter to G20 leaders highlight the promotion of decentralized renewable energy and sustainable and green mobility. It talks about sustainable agriculture, development aids, debt relief and assistance. The open letter focuses on just transition promoting gender inclusion and mainstreaming, safeguarding indigenous communities and ensuring safety to civil society.

Supporting the initiative, Justice Anjana Prakash- Sr. Advocate, Supreme Court of India said,“As custodians of justice, it is our duty to recognize that the impacts of climate change are not only environmental, but also profoundly legal and societal. Though a lot has been reshaped through environmental regulations, international agreements and legal frameworks to curb human activities that contribute to climate change, we still need to go a long way. I support the Move for Earth Global Cycle Ride for climate action. We must remember that the decisions we make today resonate through time, shaping the world we envision for our children and grandchildren.”

Mr. Tushar Gandhi, Founder-President, Mahatma Gandhi Foundation said,“Climate change affects marginalized communities more than others, and as someone with a socio-environmental consciousness, I have come to understand that just as words have the power to shape minds, actions have the power to shape our world. I believe that advocating for change should not be confined to pages alone but should extend to the very fabric of our existence. The global cycle ride initiative is not merely a journey; it is a manifestation of our duty to tread upon the Earth rather gently, echoing the footsteps of change that our ancestors had once championed. I hope we can all acknowledge our collective duty to create a just world for everyone to thrive in.”

Open Letter: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-dglLGeB4oNIze5U4GydUooGOl3nqlxk4LzcKYN8M6E/edit

Media Dossier

Delhi | Maharashtra | Jharkhand | Odisha | West Bengal | Others

Contact: Vinay Jaju | M: +91 9331178105 | Email: VJ@SwitchON.org.in