Caring for Our Planet: A Duty to Future Generations
Inspired by the The Hindu (September 17, 2024) Op-ed article by K. Srinath Reddy titled “Rights of Future Generations must Guide Climate Debate,” this essay underscores the need for a profound responsibility to safeguard the environment, not just for ourselves but for future generations, and it makes the point that through thoughtful actions guided by ethics, sustainable development, and cooperation, we can ensure that the Earth remains a liveable home for all.
Human beings have always had a deep connection with nature. We rely on it for food, water, air, and everything that sustains life. However, over time, humans have caused significant damage to the environment. Historically, poor practices like over farming have transformed fertile lands into deserts. Today, with climate change, our actions are not just affecting local areas—they are impacting the entire planet. How we respond to these challenges now will determine the kind of world future generations inherit. As children and students in India, we are part of the generation that has the power to change the future. Climate change is a global issue, and it is our responsibility to act in ways that ensure future generations can enjoy the beauty and resources of the Earth. This essay explores why fairness across generations, or intergenerational equity, must guide our actions in fighting climate change, especially when it comes to protecting children’s rights and balancing development with environmental responsibility.
The Idea of Intergenerational Equity: Fairness Between Generations
Intergenerational equity is the principle that we must be fair to both current and future generations when using and preserving the Earth’s resources. Today, our actions—whether cutting down forests, polluting the air, or overusing water—can have long-lasting impacts that will be felt for hundreds of years. Future generations, including children born today and those yet to come, have the right to live in a world that is healthy, diverse, and full of natural resources. It is our responsibility to protect this world for them.
This concept of fairness between generations is echoed in many cultural and religious beliefs. In Hindu philosophy, for instance, the Earth is viewed as a living entity, and humans are seen as its caretakers. This aligns with the Hindu principle of Ahimsa, or non-violence, which extends beyond people to include nature itself. According to this belief, it is our Dharma (duty) to protect the environment and ensure that our actions do not harm future generations. Hindu scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads emphasise the importance of maintaining balance and harmony in nature. This is reflected in the idea of intergenerational equity, which mirrors the Hindu concept of Rita, the natural order that must be preserved for the well-being of all living beings. Hindus believe that the Earth is not inherited from our ancestors but borrowed from future generations. Therefore, it is our duty to protect it and ensure that future generations can enjoy its beauty and resources.
This idea of intergenerational justice is more important now than ever, as rising temperatures, severe storms, and other effects of climate change threaten to leave future generations with a less liveable planet. If we do not act today, future generations will face food shortages, water scarcity, and extreme weather events that we have the power to prevent. We hold the Earth in trust for those who will come after us, and we must ensure that we pass it on in a condition no worse than we received it.
India’s Challenge: Balancing Development and Responsibility
India, known for its rapid growth, faces a tough challenge in balancing economic development with climate responsibility. On one hand, India needs to grow its economy, improve infrastructure, and lift millions of people out of poverty. But on the other hand, the country is already feeling the impacts of climate change. Melting glaciers are threatening water supplies, rising sea levels are putting coastal areas at risk, and extreme weather events like floods and droughts are becoming more common.
India often highlights that richer nations, which have historically contributed more to climate change, should bear greater responsibility for addressing the problem. However, even though India’s per capita emissions are lower than many developed countries, the country must also take steps to address its environmental impact. Future generations in India and around the world will suffer if we do not act now.
India has the potential to be a global leader by adopting cleaner energy sources, promoting sustainable agriculture, and supporting international climate initiatives like carbon trading. By taking these actions, India can ensure that its development does not come at the cost of the planet’s health and can serve as a model for other developing nations.
The Rights of Future Generations
Marc D. Davidson, a climate ethics expert, has addressed the ethical responsibility governments have toward future generations in his work. He introduces the “non-identity problem” ,which suggests that since future individuals do not yet exist, it is difficult to claim that current actions harm them. However, Davidson argues that future generations, like us, have rights—such as the right to a healthy environment, clean air, and access to natural resources. While we may not know the names of these future individuals, they deserve the same access to a liveable planet as we do.
Governments around the world have an ethical obligation to prevent environmental damage, even if the full effects will not be felt for decades. A precautionary approach is necessary. This means that even if we are unsure about the exact outcomes of climate change, we must take immediate steps to reduce harm. The well-being of future generations depends on the actions we take today, from reducing carbon emissions to promoting sustainable development.
Children and Climate Justice
Children are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, especially in poorer regions such as parts of India and Africa. Climate change worsens the challenges that children already face, such as malnutrition, lack of access to clean water, and disease. Elizabeth D. Gibbons, a climate justice advocate, emphasises that children, who contribute the least to climate change, will suffer its worst consequences if we do not act.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) provides a vital legal framework that can help protect children from the worst impacts of climate change. However, children’s voices are often missing from climate policy discussions. Governments must include children in these dialogues, recognising their unique perspective and potential to offer innovative solutions. By focusing on children’s rights in climate policies, we not only safeguard their future but also promote fairness and justice across generations.
India’s Legal and Policy Framework
India has demonstrated leadership in recognising the rights of future generations through its judicial system. The National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court of India have upheld the principle of intergenerational equity in numerous environmental cases. Indian courts have also applied the Public Trust Doctrine, which holds that natural resources like forests, rivers, and lakes are to be protected for both current and future generations.
While India has laws like the Environmental Protection Act and has adopted climate strategies like the National Action Plan on Climate Change, there is still more to be done. The rights of future generations need to be explicitly recognised in India’s legal framework, and enforcement mechanisms must be strengthened to ensure that the environment is preserved for future generations.
A Call to Action: Securing the Future
The responsibility to protect the planet for future generations does not fall solely on governments—it involves industries and individuals as well. Governments need to create strong policies that reduce emissions, promote renewable energy, and ensure environmental justice for all. Developed countries must lead by example, but developing nations like India must also play their part in adopting sustainable development practices.
International cooperation is essential in this fight. Climate change knows no borders, and the actions of one country can affect the entire planet. Therefore, global agreements like the Paris Agreement and international courts that uphold the rights of future generations are crucial tools in protecting our shared future.
On an individual level, we can all make a difference. Whether by reducing waste, conserving energy, planting trees, or raising awareness about climate change, every action counts. By working together, we can ensure that the Earth remains a place where all future generations can thrive.
Conclusion: Shaping a Better Tomorrow
The future of our planet and the well-being of future generations depend on the choices we make today. We must act with urgency to address climate change, guided by the principle of intergenerational equity. Whether through India’s leadership in sustainable development, protecting children’s rights, or fostering global cooperation, we must ensure that our actions leave a lasting and positive legacy.
By placing the rights of future generations at the forefront of climate policy, we can make decisions that will lead to a healthier, more sustainable planet for everyone. In doing so, we not only protect the environment but also honour the trust placed in us by those who will inherit the Earth. Let us act with foresight, compassion, and responsibility, knowing that the future is in our hands.
