Kumarakom, Kerala: Supreme Court Judge Justice BR Gavai, during his inaugural address at the Commonwealth Legal Education Association’s International Conference on “Law and Technology: Sustainable Transport, Tourism, and Technological Innovations,” called for urgent attention to the climate crisis. The event took place in Kumarakom, Kerala.
Justice Gavai, referencing the recent natural disasters in Wayanad and Himachal Pradesh, stressed the need to confront the climate crisis with the seriousness it demands. He warned that unchecked development driven by human greed could endanger the well-being of future generations.
“Development is essential for the nation’s progress, but it must not come at the expense of the environment,” Justice Gavai stated. “Human greed has its limits, and crossing those boundaries threatens the sustainability of our planet for future generations.”
He underscored the importance of a proactive approach to tackling climate change, emphasising that without a healthy environment, fundamental rights like clean air and water become meaningless.
Justice Gavai praised the progress of environmental jurisprudence in India over the past decade, highlighting the Supreme Court’s pivotal role in promoting eco-friendly solutions. He cited the landmark M.C. Mehta case, where the Court mandated the use of CNG vehicles in Delhi to combat pollution, as an example of how environmental protection has been integrated into the interpretation of Article 21, the Right to Life.
“The right to live has evolved to include the right to a pollution-free environment, clean water, and clean air,” he said. “In recent years, there has been a significant focus on promoting non-polluting fuels, starting with CNG and now extending to electric vehicles.”
Justice Gavai also addressed the issue of human-animal conflict, recalling the Supreme Court’s recent directives to regulate tourism and safari activities in Tiger Reserves and Wildlife Conservation Sites to protect endangered species.
In his concluding remarks, Justice Gavai called for immediate and decisive action on climate change, quoting George Bernard Shaw: “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” He emphasised that addressing the climate crisis is essential for ensuring the survival of both humanity and the planet.
Justice Surya Kant, the Chief Patron of the Commonwealth Legal Education Association, also spoke at the event, emphasising the ethical and regulatory challenges associated with the rise of automated vehicles in public transportation.
Chief Justice of Seychelles Rony Govinden served as the Guest of Honour. Other notable speakers included Justice AM Muhammed Mustaque, Acting Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, Attorney General for India R Venkataramani, and Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta. The conference also included a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the recent Wayanad landslide tragedy.
