World Environment Day Special: A Voice for Change with Ridhima Pandey
Guess what day it is? That’s right, it’s World Environment Day! Today’s not just about celebrating our amazing planet; it’s about taking action.
As you know, every year on June 5, the world comes together to celebrate World Environment Day. This “Game Changers” episode is dedicated to this year’s theme: “Reviving lands for a brighter future.” This year’s focus is on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience. It’s a call to action for #Generation Restoration to prioritize ecosystem restoration and embrace sustainable land management practices.
Because let’s face it, our land is facing severe challenges, and it’s up to us, Generation Restoration, to turn things around. But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom.
Joining us is Ridhima Pandey, a remarkable 16-year-old climate activist from Haridwar, from the state of Uttarakhand, in India. Ridhima isn’t your average 16-year-old. This powerhouse activist has been fighting for climate action since 2017 at the tender age of 9 when she took a stand against her own government’s inaction on climate change.
Progress has come at a heavy cost to our environment. We’ve built a society reliant on this progress but forgotten the impact. Dissent is often mocked, leaving us questioning the true role of our elected officials. Are they solving problems or simply holding the reins? Do we blame them or the apathy of the public? We witness environmental degradation and feel its effects, yet fail to act with urgency. Remember, it’s never too late. Let’s fight for the future we believe in.
Tune into this episode and remember every voice matters in the fight for climate action. Each one of us can make a real difference. Whether it’s reducing your carbon footprint, supporting sustainable businesses, or advocating for policy change, your actions contribute to the larger movement towards a healthier planet. It’s our land, our future, and we are the #GenerationRestoration.
Produced by Global Indian Series for the Global Indian Network.
Script by Rajan Nazran
original idea: Rajan Nazran
Introduction music: (Music credit: https://freesound.org/people/TheoJT/sounds/569783/)
About Ridhima Pandey
Ridhima Pandey is a 16-year-old climate activist from Haridwar, Uttarakhand, born on October 21, 2007. Her journey into activism began in 2017 when she courageously filed a petition against the government of India, accusing it of failing to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement. This petition highlighted the gap between governmental promises and actual ground-level implementation of environmental laws.
In 2019, Ridhima’s activism gained international recognition when she, alongside 15 other child petitioners, including Greta Thunberg, filed a lawsuit at the United Nations against Argentina, Brazil, France, Turkey, and Germany. This legal action was aimed at holding these nations accountable for violating child rights through their emissions, emphasizing the global need to protect the rights of children from the adverse effects of climate change.
Ridhima actively engages with school and college students to raise awareness about climate change, child rights, and biodiversity conservation. Her efforts to educate and inspire young minds have been widely recognized.
She has appeared in the international film “The Letter,” based on an encyclical by Pope Francis, and featured in the Disney+ Hotstar series “One For Change,” produced by National Geographic. Ridhima’s impact has been acknowledged in “ELLE 100 Women Change Makers,” and she received the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award 2023 as Favorite Environmentalist.
Rishima is the President of the Red Alert International Steering Committee and was listed in BBC’s 100 Most Powerful and Empowering Women in 2020. Her activism has been highlighted in numerous prestigious publications, including NBC, The New York Times, The Guardian, and Vogue. She received the Earth Day Network Rising Star Award and Sanctuary Asia’s Young Naturalist Award in 2020.
Ridhima’s influential work has been featured in Sanctuary Asia Magazine and The Young Geographer Magazine by RSGS. She was the Brand Ambassador for ISCAR 2022, earning the Women Changemaker of the Year award, and is part of the 30 for 2030 Network of UN Women. Her story and achievements continue to inspire as she appeared on the cover of the French magazine “So Good” and contributed to the book “Standing Up for a Sustainable World.”
Ridhima Pandey’s dedication and tireless efforts make her a prominent voice in the global movement for environmental sustainability and climate justice.
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