Premium

‘Quit the talk, start to act’: Hillary Clinton hails India as innovator of Global South at Mumbai Climate Week

Hillary Clinton, former US Secretary of State, was speaking to Shloka Nath, CEO of the India Climate Collaborative (ICC), during the Mumbai Climate Week, where she highlighted CGI work in India.

Hillary Clinton, former US Secretary of State, during a Fireside Chat session with Shloka Nath, CEO of the India Climate Collaborative (ICC), at Mumbai Climate Week at BKC on February 18 (Express Photo: Sankhadeep Banerjee)Hillary Clinton, former US Secretary of State, during a Fireside Chat session with Shloka Nath, CEO of the India Climate Collaborative (ICC), at Mumbai Climate Week at BKC on February 18 (Express Photo: Sankhadeep Banerjee)

India can become the innovator in the Global South as it leads the fight against climate change from the frontlines, said Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State of the United States of America and board member of the Clinton Foundation, during the Mumbai Climate Week on Wednesday.

Calling for the need to shift resources from the Global North to the Global South, Clinton said that the Global South is all ready to set the climate agenda.

“We have to focus attention on solutions in the places which are clearly most affected by climate change. While the world is impacted, including the United States, where we are witnessing more wildfires, severe storms, and unusual heat patterns, the frontlines of the fight against global climate change are right here in the Global South. I have full confidence that India can become an innovator and implementer of that,” said Clinton.

She further said, “I want to be a cheerleader for the efforts that can come out of India, and it will require partnerships between government at all levels, businesses and corporations, philanthropies, family offices, activists. We have to quit the talk, talk, talk and start to act, act, act.”

Clinton was speaking in a fireside chat with Shloka Nath, CEO of the India Climate Collaborative (ICC), during the ongoing Mumbai Climate Week, where she spoke about the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) work in India.

Launched two decades ago by former US President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Foundation has been engaged in bridging gaps between the public and private sectors to resolve concerns surrounding climate, health, and women.

While talking about CGI’s work, Clinton called for allied efforts from governments, corporations, and philanthropies to counter the rising climate risks.

Story continues below this ad

‘A political view of a dinosaur’

Referring to US President Donald Trump’s policies, Hillary Clinton said, “Just because the President of the United States does not want corporations to care about climate change doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care about climate change. That’s a, frankly, political view of a dinosaur. It is just so out of touch with everything that we know, how we are living, what we are breathing, what we are seeing.”

Calling climate a ‘health issue’ and not just an energy issue, Clinton added that climate change goes beyond fossil fuels.

“When we say climate change, it deals with talking about pollution that fills the air in Delhi or Beijing. I’m talking about the clear evidence that pollution is impacting our health and not just among poor people, but among all of us. The particulates and what we breathe in are affecting our health and particularly the health of our children,” added.

‘Indian women on frontlines of climate crisis’

Speaking about her experiences in India, Clinton pointed out that women are on the front lines of the crisis as they are exposed to extreme heat.

Story continues below this ad

“The effects of extreme heat, particularly on women in India, are well documented, be it the women raking salt in the deserts of Rajasthan, a waste picker, or at a construction site,s amongst others. During our visit to Rajasthan and Gujarat deserts, women pointed out that working post noon has become extremely difficult during extreme heats, nudging them to start work during the dead of the night.”

Clinton said that in India, the CGI has been engaged with groups like SEWA, which have led initiatives to raise money from women and put it into a fund to create an insurance product. “Today, we have 500,000 such insurance holders here in India, and India will be the model for the rest of the Global South because of this CGI commitment,” she added.

At a time when Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) impact on the environment has emerged as a concern, Clinton also called for government regulations on AI companies before it is too late.

Nayonika Bose is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express’ Mumbai bureau. While in the early stages of her career, her focused reporting on local governance and community welfare already demonstrates clear Expertise and Trustworthiness in covering essential civic issues impacting Mumbai's residents. Expertise & Authority (E-E-A-T) Specialized Focus: Nayonika's reporting is dedicated to civic and community issues, providing readers with highly relevant, ground-level information about the functionality and administration of India's largest metropolitan area. Core Coverage Areas: Her articles highlight a strong focus on the fundamental quality of life and public safety in Mumbai, including: Civic Infrastructure: Reports on critical failures and initiatives related to public works, such as the recurring problem of unauthorized building collapses in Navi Mumbai, the construction of new infrastructure projects (like the Dahisar-Bhayandar Link Road and the Mahalaxmi cable-stayed bridge), and the maintenance of essential city services (e.g., manhole cover theft). Urban Governance & Crisis Management: Provides detailed coverage of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) response to major crises, particularly during the monsoon (e.g., heavy rainfall, water cuts, and public health concerns like dengue and malaria) and large-scale public safety incidents (e.g., the hoarding collapse fallout). Community Welfare & Rights: Reports on key social issues, including the financial aid scheme for persons with disabilities, the struggles of Mumbai's hawkers protesting eviction drives, and the dangers faced by workers due to the continuation of manual scavenging in water tanks. Cultural & Heritage Reporting: Covers significant community stories, including the restoration of British-era fountains and the history of institutions like the 126-year-old Chinchpokli cemetery, showing a breadth of interest beyond pure administration. Tweets @nayonikakb ... Read More

Pratip Acharya is a seasoned journalist based in Mumbai reporting for The Indian Express. With a career spanning over a decade, his work demonstrates strong Expertise and Authority in critical urban issues, civic affairs, and electoral politics across Eastern and Western India. Expertise & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express (IE), reporting from Mumbai. Core Authority: Pratip's reporting focuses sharply on local democracy and development, specializing in: Urban Governance and Civic Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis of municipal decision-making, city planning, and local infrastructure, essential for informed urban reporting. City Politics and Environment: Covering the political dynamics of Mumbai and surrounding areas, alongside critical environmental challenges impacting the metro region. Electoral Coverage (High-Stakes Experience): He has extensive experience in high-stakes political reporting, having covered major elections, establishing his Trustworthiness in political analysis: National: Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019. State: West Bengal Assembly elections in 2016 and Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2019. Major Assignments (Ground Reporting): Pratip demonstrated commitment during crises by conducting ground reporting throughout the Covid-19 pandemic since its breakout in 2020, offering first-hand accounts and analysis of the public health crisis. Experience Extensive Experience: Starting his career in 2014, Pratip has built his foundation across multiple prominent English dailies: Started at The Times of India in Kolkata (2014). Relocated to Mumbai (2016) and worked with The Free Press Journal and Hindustan Times before joining The Indian Express. Pratip Acharya's diverse experience across major publications, coupled with his specialized focus on the intricate details of urban governance and a track record of covering major electoral and health crises, establishes him as a trusted and authoritative source for news from India's critical metropolitan centres. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Advertisement
Loading Recommendations...
Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments