About: Ridhima Pandey is a child climate change activist and social worker from Dehradun, Uttarakhand India. Ridhima was among the 16 child petitioners including Greta Thunberg, who filed a complaint with the United Nations to protect lack of government action on the climate change crisis at the UN Climate Action Summit 2019 held in New York. At only 9 years old, Ridhima Pandey created headlines on the National & International media by filing a petition before the “National Green Tribunal” in India to raise issue on the environment pollution and failed to take appropriate action on climate change and how environment protection laws continue to be routinely flouted. Ridhima Pandey, including Greta Thunberg and 14 other children from across the world, filed a complaint against Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, and Turkey, who the activists believe are causing the most pollution. Ridhima was born in 2008 and 11 years old as of 2019.
| Wikipedia /Bio | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Ridhima Pandey |
| Date of Birth/Born | 2008 |
| Age | 11 Years (As of 2019) |
| Occupation | Student, Climate Change Activist |
| Famous For | Petition filed before National Green Tribunal for climate change. |
| Years active | 2017-Present |
| Home City | Dehradun, Nainital, Uttarakhand |
| Current City | Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India |
| Alma mater | School name unknown studying in 8th Standard |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Height | 1.4 m (Approx) |
| Weight | 35 Kg (Approx) |
| Eye Color | Dark Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Parents | Father-Dinesh Chandra Pandey Mother- Shri NB Pandey |
Early Life, Education & Family
Ridhima was brought up in a small village name Haripur, Bachee post, Halduchaur District, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. Her father’s name is Dinesh Chandra Pandey, who is also an environmental activist work at an NGO in Uttarakhand. Her mother’s name is Shri NB, Pandey, about 45 years old. Ridhima is studying at class 8th standard. Her school name is not known yet.
Ridhima Pandey Climate Change Activities
Ridhima Pandey got her lawsuits to file a petition against a government of a nation. In 2017 March Ridhima, at the age of 9, filed a 52-page petition in the “National Green Tribunal” to take necessary action on climate change. She wakens up the government, highlighting the growing concern of overpopulation and environmental degradation in the country. 1) India Today
In an interview with The Independent 2) The Independent in 2017, she said her government had failed to take steps to regulate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which were causing extreme climate conditions. This would impact both her and future generations. Her country had huge potential to reduce the use of fossil fuels, and because of the Government’s inaction, she had approached the National Green Tribunal.” 3) First Post Besides this, she demanded the strong action to take away from fossil fuels, protect the forests, grasslands, soil mangroves, engage in massive reforestation, and improve agricultural and forestry practices.
However, her petition was later rejected by the National Green Tribunal, agruing that matter was already covered under the environmental assessment in the “Environment protection Act, 1986”.
United Nation Climate Summit Action 2019
In 2019 “New York Climate Summit Action” Ridhima Pandey including Greta Thunberg and 14 others child climate activist from different countries were Alexandria Villasenor, Catarina Lorenzo, Chiara Sachi, Raina Ivanova, Iris Duquesne, Ranton Anjain, David Ackley III, Litokne Kabua, Carlos Manuel, Deborah Adegbile, Ayakha Melithafa, Ellen-Anne, Raslen Jbeili and and Carl Smith had joined the summit. To support them about 4.2 million people from 170 countries joined the move by protesting on their own cities held from 23rd to 29th September 2019.
Five countries, Germany, France, Brazil, Argentina, and Turkey, had a lawsuit filed against them in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a child. The five countries were claimed to have that these countries are causing the most pollution, which is a threat to future generations.
Ridhima Pandey raised her voice against the climate change petition to the “United Nations Child Rights Committee” was, “I am here because I want all the global leaders to do something to stop climate change. If It’s not going to be stopped, it is going to harm our futures.”
“I want a better future.
I want to save my future.
I want to save our future.
I want to save the future of all the children and all people of future generations.”
“I want a better future.
I want to save my future.
I want to save our future.
I want to save the future of all the children and all people of future generations.”
– Ridhima Pandey, one of 16 children who filed a complaint on climate crisis to the UN child rights committee. #UNGA pic.twitter.com/E8O2ZlmfAo— UNICEF India (@UNICEFIndia) September 24, 2019
Recently, Ridhima sued the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, to save Aarey forests in Mumbai, which are being cut for the metro line.
“Here I want to appeal our prime minister that if you are really concerned about the environment, please stop the cutting of Aarey forests and immediately release those who are protesting,” said in a 43-second video. 4) New Indian Express . Now the matter is under the Supreme Court of India. A public Interest Litigation(PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court of India, opposing the feeling of trees.
From when Ridhima start working as a Climate Change Activist?
Ridhima Pandey was encouraged to love for the environment when her father was one of the victims of the 2013 Uttarakhand flood but survived while more than 5000 people have died. The images and stories of the ecological disaster left a profound impact on the young mind. Since then, she started working towards climate change to save her future as well as the future generations of millions.
Social Media Profiles
This 11 years old Ridhima Pandey, who is pursuing her school degree at 8th standard, is not active in the social media platform right now.
References
| 1. | ↑ | India Today |
| 2. | ↑ | The Independent |
| 3. | ↑ | First Post |
| 4. | ↑ | New Indian Express |