The word ‘tipping point’ often used in the climate change seminars these days means "the point at which a slow, reversible change becomes irreversible, often with dramatic consequences". Scientific evidences suggest that the world is reaching its tipping point as humanity's footprint stretches the Earth's natural resources to their limit.

Climate change is the biggest concern of the present day generation. Moreover it has all the necessary ingredients to qualify as the most debatable topic, much more than rural development and poverty reduction due to its unbiased effect. Climate change is a phenomenon that needs to be curtailed as it will eventually make survival of mankind a big problem to grapple with. The only way to tackle this is to take environment seriously.

As a step towards being an environment conscious organization we have made climate change and environment part and parcel of each of our rural development activities. I urge others to partner with us in bringing the change and to start somewhere we all can make conscious choice to deviate away from “use and throw” culture and move towards more environmentally sustainable practices.

We must also practice what we preach and therefore, we have constructed the Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD) environment friendly, for which we are expecting to get platinum level LEEDS certification. The institute is self sufficient in terms of energy and water coupled with various other green features.

The role and responsibility of each of us as individuals cannot be overestimated. We hold the world in trust for future generations and we have to act now if we are to avert the ‘tipping point’..