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Sunday, May 20th
"Temperatures in India could rise by 6 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, causing flooding of its entire coast line besides creating severe drought conditions in the rest of the country", says Madhav Mehra, chairman of the World Council for Corporate Governance.
Mehra was speaking at a conference held in Nainital on June 2. The: conference is a prelude to the first ever Convention on Corporate Response to Climate. Change to be held in Palampur from June 8 to 10.
Palampur has been chosen because of its vicinity to the mighty Dhauladhar range of Himalayas where the snowline is receding due to global warming. The focus of the convention will be on "a healthy planet for healthy people".
Mehra said it was an irony that while India was at the greatest risk with the glacier, feeding its rivers, melting and subsequently causing floods by 2050, the IPCC, the body that had revealed the startling report on climate change, was least sensitive about urgency of the action to tackle the catastrophe._ In a recent international poll conducted by the Chicago Council of Global Affairs and World Public Opinion Org, India showed the. lowest level of support for measures to address global warming .. with only 49 per cent of the population supporting immediate action and 24 per cent opposing it.
Action to combat climate change has to go beyond rhetoric and piecemeal approach. Nothing less than 180 degrees shift in life style is needed. In fact, climate change offers the greatest business opportunity of our times. Companies that are nimble and innovative can turn this catastrophe into an opportunity for profiting while cleaning up-the planet.
He said, "We need to move from the existing consumerist, materialistic and acquisitioned models to an experiential mode that would offer new opportunity for sustainable wealth creation.
Mehra advocated an 11-point programme, called Proactivate. It entails efforts by companies to price natural capital, radically increase energy efficiency, opt for minimalist design, adopt zero waste systems, capture C02 by planting trees, etc.
"Dr Madhav Mehra is a phenomenon, nothing describes him better."
Ola Ullsten, Former Prime Minister of Sweden at the 8th World Congress on Environment Management, Palampur, 2006"
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Dr Mehra, I just read your commentary on Satyam....You made one of the wisest observations on board failures I've ever read - "It is difficult to understand something when your salary depends on not understanding it".Brilliant!
Ralph Ward, Boardroom Insider
"Dr Madhav Mehra, has played a significant role to bring about a change in the mindset of the corporate world. India will remember him as a great pioneer who foresaw such a need and strove for inculcating a culture of quality in all spheres of activity."
S S H Rehman Executive Director, ITC Group of Hotels
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"I have known Dr Mehra for the last 8 years in my capacity as the Chairman of the Centre for Social Responsibility,..... Chairman of the S.M. Charitable Trust . I am amazed by the energy, enthusiasm and dedication that he brings to every idea he promotes."
P.N. Bhagwati, Former Chief Justice of India
"Rarely does one come across a legend like Madhav Mehra. I have witnessed his dedication everywhere: building community centres for gaddies of Dhauladhar, hospital and school for slum dwellers in Delhi and addressing corporates on the social role of their business."
Dr Sahib Singh, Ex-Chief Minister, speaking at SM Medical Centre, 13.04.04"
"Had Dr Madhav Mehra just been the founder of the IOD, that in itself would have been a piece of work tat the present and future generations would cherish. But by establising so many other organisations, he has really ensured that we respect him as a pioneering figure of all te good that Indian business is striving for."
Javed Husain, Professor and former Dean of Engineering
"Address of Dr Mehra was a unique experience. I aspire to listen to him again and wish Dr Mehra can find time to address youth in the colleges."
MK Yadav, Hindustan Zinc LTD
"Dr Mehra has given a unique dimension to CSR. His interpretation is particularly relevant to us and we must invite him once again to address our top executives"
Hon'ble Carlton Davis, head of Jamaica's Civil Service"
"Dr Mehra's passion comes alive from his speeches"
Uma Arora, Chairman Idam Learning
"Dr Madhav Mehra's keynote address was the most thought provoking"
N A Patil & R B Rajpune
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