My name is Chime Youdon. I did my schooling from Tibetan Homes School, Mussoorie. I pursued my undergraduate studies in Political Science (H) at Delhi University after high school. I earned my postgraduate degree in Political Studies with a Specialization in International Relations and MPhil in European Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Currently, I am a PhD candidate at the Centre for European Studies JNU, New Delhi. My research for my PhD focuses on climate change. I am looking at how two different States, the European Union (climate leader) and China (worst carbon emitter) are participating in climate change negotiations.
My research basi
cally focuses on the policy of climate change governance of United Nation Framework on Climate Change Conference. It’s sometimes hard to understand the deeper scientific discussion while confining oneself solely to a social science perspective, which had been the case for sometime with me on the subject. Therefore, I felt the need to expand my approach to include a scientific point of view was imperative. As such I started looking for internship opportunities at different environmental organizations based in India. This was when I got to know about Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), an organization that has been at the forefront of spreading awareness around climate change, sustainable environment-friendly development and research. While browsing on their website, I got to know about the kind of work they are engaged in especially on climate change research in India, and I was convinced that CSE was the perfect and most suitable platform I had been looking for. Based in New Delhi, CSE is a public interest research and advocacy organization whose efforts are specifically designed to create awareness about the problems and propose sustainable solutions. I immediately applied for their internship program and was fortunately selected. However, the internship was unpaid. I then applied for Envision fellowship for to ease the financial burden. Had it not been for their Fellowship, it would have been difficult for me to manage financially.
During the course of my internship with the Air Pollution team at CSE, I had a chance to discuss and explore at a greater depth about climate change, how transportation contributes to air pollution and possibilities to control or mitigate carbon emission from vehicles. I studied about Electric Vehicles in India following it with a paper on “The E-Rickshaws in India.” From this internship, I got the prospect to understand and study the current scenario of Indian transport sectors which contributes 23% in deteriorating air quality, rising greenhouse emission, and escalating energy security risks. Also how electric vehicles offer alternative mobility options that can help to address these adverse impacts. I have examined the discourse on electric three wheeler vehicles in India. Further analyzed the FAME India – Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India – scheme offering incentives on electric and hybrid vehicles (particularly for the e-rickshaw) by the Indian government. I even did a field survey to three e-rickshaws stations at North Delhi, and the experience was overwhelming. It introduced me to the deeper reality/knowledge of e-rickshaw and e-rickshaw drivers and the impact of such a scheme if implemented efficiently in cutting down carbon emissions in Delhi and around.
I truly enjoyed the friendly and professional work experience at the office. Having completed the full term of my internship with the Air Pollution team at CSE, and being invested deeply, I am aware of the hard work they put in to protect our environment and to make the world a sustainable and cleaner place. Makes me happy and proud that I was, albeit small, but still a part of this endeavour. Climate change is real, and it is happening even faster than previously estimated; CO2 emission since 2000 have been higher than even the highest predictions. For instances, the European heat wave in 2003 marked the hottest summer on record since at least 1540 and caused 35,000 deaths. In 2013 China endured worst heat waves in 140 years. In May 2015, India was struck by a severe heat wave taking more than 2,500 people’s lives in multiple regions of India (World Meteorological Organisation 2010). Therefore, we need to address anthropogenic climate change issues more effectively beyond traditional means because the global habitat can at least limit the damage and take action collectively, urgently and decisively at the global level. A danger associated with climate change due to rising carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere should encourage the search for low cost, low risk, and high capacity technologies to mitigate the causes. We as individuals have to commit to making a difference in our day to day lives, however small to reduce our carbon footprint and the ultimate destruction of our planet earth.
This fellowship gave me the opportunity and allowed me to compliment my research on climate change policies. I am certain this experience will enrich my study and expand my career choices. I am truly grateful to Envision for the Fellowship and their understanding in granting me the same despite my last minute submission. I sincerely appreciate the kind of work, dedication, and commitment Envision has demonstrated over the years with their well-thought education and youth-oriented programmes. Your contribution goes far beyond just a Fellowship; your support is the quintessence of affirming my dreams and many like me in Exile.