Human influence on climate is clearly evident and necessary measures need to be taken without any further delay to avoid severe, pervasive and irreversible impact of climatic change on people and ecosystems.
The Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) working group III co-chair Dr Youba Sokona said this at a high-level public event on IPCC's fifth Assessment Report (AR5) organised by Climate Development and Knowledge Network (CDKN) supported by the United Kingdom's Foreign Office and Central Himalayan Environment Association (CHEA) with the collaboration of Uttarakhand Forest Department and Forest Research Institute (FRI) at the institute on Tuesday.
Sokona said the goal to limit global temperature rise was still within reach but there should not be delay in execution of required measures.
"We lack data in specific areas like Uttarakhand but Asia in general is likely to experience more warm days and fewer cold days with temperature rise likely to cause drastic reduction in farm yield in north Indian river plains. Renewable energy use needs to be increased, deforestation needs to be stopped and new forests need to be planted," he said.
State Forest Minister Dinesh Aggarwal informed that the Ministry of Environment and Forests technical committee had recommended its approval to Uttarakhand's State Action Plan on Climate Change.
Acknowledging that much needed to be done to mainstream the use of solar energy and rainwater harvesting, Aggarwal also suggested that a committee on climate change should be formed in the State.
Addressing the gathering, State Assembly speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal said the impact of climate change was visible in Uttarakhand. "The June 2013 Kedarnath disaster was a warning reminding us to prepare for such disasters and impacts of climate change. The Government alone
cannot ensure effective climate change mitigation for which policy makers, scientists and experts will have to work with the Government."
Scientists could also make joint efforts to make an assessment report specific to this Himalayan region. Timely information will enable the government to take necessary action," he added.
Proposing the vote of thanks, CDKN senior advisor Mihir Bhatt said that there are many things happening in Uttarakhand where people are taking measures to mitigate climate change. Earlier, additional principal chief conservator of forests (Environment) Jai Raj also expressed his views.