On Friday, July 12, Asian Voice partnered with the Royal Air Force to hold the third edition of ‘Be The Change' panel discussion on Climate Change at the Peers’ Dining Room, House of Lords.
The event was hosted by Lord Raj Loomba CBE, Founder and Chairman Trustee, The Loomba Foundation. Lord Loomba emphasised the disproportionate impact of climate change on the poor and marginalised in society and stressed the urgent need for global commitment to finding lasting solutions to reduce rising temperatures and mitigate climate change.
Group Captain Gareth Taylor RAF shared his commitment to climate conservation and highlighted the RAF’s substantial strides in sustainability and addressing climate impacts. He remarked, “This event will explore why climate change is pivotal to our nation's and our organisation's efforts to foster a peaceful environment where we can thrive. The Royal Air Force acknowledges its responsibility towards sustainability and remains committed to mitigate climate change.”
Expert take on the most pressing climate challenges
The panel discussion was moderated by Alpesh Patel OBE, a Visiting Fellow at Oxford University, CEO, and international best-selling Financial Times Author, renowned for his expertise in investing and entrepreneurship.
Joining him were distinguished panellists Prof Siddartha Khastgir, Head of Safe Autonomy at WMG, University of Warwick; Mallika Basu, writer, commentator, and board advisor in food, drink, and hospitality, and Ketan Dattani, a multi-award-winning environmental entrepreneur with over 25 years of talent acquisition and consultancy experience in environmental sustainability.
Mallika emphasised the significant role of our food system, which accounts for about 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. She advocated for fixing this system starting with healthy, sustainable diets. According to her one of the simplest points one can start from is transitioning away from meat. However, she did note the complexity of the transition due to the challenge of finding alternative vegetable proteins.
Ketan added that while reducing meat consumption is important, it's equally critical to source meat organically. Prof Khastgir highlighted the false misinformation surrounding the scale of the climate crisis, stressing the need for a comprehensive approach that considers energy production, consumption patterns, and even the lifecycle of products.
The panellists underscored the importance of global collaboration, effective policy implementation, and responsible resource management in addressing climate change. Prof Khastgir highlighted that organisations and media must help shape public perception with accurate information, emphasising the "why" behind actions rather than just the "what."
Mallika noted that effective communication is pivotal, acknowledging the daunting nature of climate crisis that often discourages meaningful discussion. She said, “While we pressure individuals and businesses to change, we often fail to provide the necessary support, funding, and investment to help them make these changes successfully.”
Echoing Mallika's and Prof Khastgir's thoughts, Ketan highlighted that while individual actions are crucial, collective efforts across all sectors are necessary for meaningful environmental impact. He emphasised the importance of clarity in understanding how today's actions will shape the future and the environment as a whole.
Insightful interaction with the audience
The audience brought a diverse range of perspectives to the conversation, spanning education, farming, technology, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
When asked about integrating climate change into the education system, Ketan advocated for incorporating environmental education into the curriculum from a young age. He suggested careers in sustainability to inspire students who may not currently envision themselves in such roles. Drawing from personal experience, Mallika critiqued the current state of food education in schools. She argued that instilling a deeper understanding of food origins and nutrition early on is crucial for transforming food culture and systems. Prof Khastgir supported outreach programs that educate students about complex topics like climate change in ways that align with their age and comprehension levels.
A member of the audience from Ghana shared that many farms in her home country are being displaced due to gold mining. Addressing this issue, Mallika pointed out that the global food system places farmers, who are among the world's poorest, at its core but often overlooks this global interdependence. This leads to decisions driven solely by profit, devastating lives at the source. Prof Khastgir emphasised the importance of raising awareness and implementing effective regulations to drive innovation and improve lives.
Ketan highlighted that livestock farming currently occupies a significant portion of arable land. He stressed the need for governments to optimise land use by collaborating with local communities to explore diverse income opportunities and enhance food production capacity.
Finally, the panel discussed technologies that can positively impact climate change. Ketan expressed enthusiasm for AI-powered approaches in work and daily life. Mallika agreed, noting AI's potential to revolutionise farming by improving soil health, preserving natural resources, and minimising pollution. She also highlighted the promise of lab-grown food. Prof Khastgir focused on the improvement of electric vehicle recharging infrastructure as a critical advancement which he looks forward to.
In closing CB Patel Chairman, ABPL reminded the audience that Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, over the last five decades, have campaigned tirelessly for various social causes, including climate change, and have offered a platform for those voices that are often overshadowed by the more privileged. “The progress being made to mitigate climate is welcome, but there is still much to be done. I'm heartened to see so many brilliant minds tonight who are eager to make a difference and shape a better future,” he remarked.
