'Greater use of ICT needed to create environmental awareness'

Environmental activist R K Pachauri today pressed for greater use of information and communication technology (ICT) to reach out to society on key issues related to climate change and sustainable development.

"Development today is not sustainable. We need to change that. The infinite reach ICT gives, has an enormous value in spreading awareness about importance of holistic development", Pachauri said.

Deliberating on the importance of education for sustainable development, Pachauri said, "Instilling children with the values and commitment to save environment can be achieved through ICT. If youth of the world are aware of what needs to be done, they can prepare and take a lead".

Sustainable development is not merely protection of environment, it is something that requires restructuring of the way human society functions, he said.

"Sustainable development needs that our consumption pattern should be changed. We cannot enlarge our carbon foot print on the already fragile environment", he said.

Commending India for making ICT approachable to large section of students by launching 'Aakash', Shigeru Aoyagi, Director UNESCO-Delhi said that it was an appreciable step.

"Providing students with Aakash tablet is a very good idea. India can fully utilise ICT and if used properly it can help a great deal", Aoyagi said.

Aoyagi emphasised the use of ICT in solving complex problems being faced by the world.

"Every corner of world is facing complex problems which are interrelated. Traditional approach to solve them will not work anymore. With ICT we can approach all of them in a better way", he said.

The seminar 'Role of ICT in Sustainable Development-The Road Ahead' was organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Dell.

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