Though members of his party have contested elections and even been part of state and central governments, none from the Thackeray family contested elections until Aaditya stepped down three years ago.
He was elected from the Mumbai constituency which is considered a stronghold of Shiv Sena. Today, he is part of a coalition government in which his father Uddhav is the chief minister. Aditya could have opted for any fancy ministry but chose a less glamorous environment portfolio.
The 32-year-old minister has been the environment minister since time immemorial, but the 32-year-old minister has highlighted this by taking a first of its kind policy change, taking eco-friendly and bold decisions, saving the age-old trees. , managed to strike a chord with environmentalists by introducing an electric vehicle policy. Thackeray received The Inspiring Regional Leadership Award for the state during COP 26 in Glasgow in December last year.
On World Earth Day, TOI spoke to Aaditya Thackeray on climate change being the most unbearable political issue, the need to listen to activists and not criminalize their work and much more.
Why did you choose the environment ministry, which was not as politically attractive as your portfolio earlier? There have been many cases around the world where the views of environment ministers have been rejected. Is it because of the lack of commitment of environment ministers or is it the fact that the environment department is still considered less important?
A. Generally, the environment ministry is very regulatory and is meant for people who are on the edge. However, in today’s world, climate change is an issue that is at the core of most humanitarian issues facing the planet. Coming from a background of environmentalists and seeing what is happening to the planet, I felt it as a sense of duty to work for the environment and put Maharashtra in the driving seat of climate action. I won’t be able to comment on others, but it certainly helps to be in the cabinet of a chief minister who is himself a keen environmentalist. This is the ministry of the future, and we need to work on it for a better today and tomorrow.
Q. Climate change remains the most intolerable political issue across the world. Despite mounting scientific evidence, the climate crisis still does not find a prominent place in the political agenda of various leaders. As one of the youngest environment ministers, why do you think our democracies are failing us in handling this crisis? Governments make international commitments but these do not translate into action.
A. It is a topic that is so abstract in terms of how it forms and leads to our actions, and then suddenly becomes tangible in its disastrous effect that it is important for governments to either act or take action on climate action. It becomes difficult to fathom the path, or to explain the difficulties of habituation and changes to climate action. The road to climate action is going to be tough, but we need to walk on it.
> How important is it to listen to the voices of the workers? What role should they play in decision making and how should governments ensure that they are given due respect?
Many people have also seen me as an activist. They are certainly important in bringing to light climate change issues that usually go unnoticed or unheard of with governments. However, activism also needs to be supported by science as it moves forward. We need to create workable solutions and ensure sustainable development.
> In many countries, we have seen climate activists being targeted in different ways to raise their voice against policy makers. Instead of punishing them for raising environmental concerns, how should leaders react?
A. It is very important that governments listen to all workers. Conflict happens because there is a dispute about something. Lack of communication on anything leads to conflict. Activists of any discipline in any region of the world should not be treated like criminals. There is always room for dialogue.
Many affected communities continue to suffer due to climate change. What should be their approach to win the trust of leaders and ensure their livelihood security?
A. Politics is about enriching the life of the people, assures to make life easier. In recent decades, mankind’s quest for a better life has had an impact on the environment as well. When we talk of development we need to take everyone along for a better planet. The distinction between the affluent and the non-affluent will now be in terms of a better environment, rather than in wealth and development.
As a young leader, do you think that older politicians are unable to fathom the damage to communities caused by climate change? Floods, hurricanes, pollution, heatwaves, glacier-melts – everything is killing us like never before. Yet, there appears to be an outright denial and these issues have failed to find a prominent place in the political discourse. Unlike other issues, why do you think climate change has become a political taboo?
A. Unfortunately, climate change is still not a political issue. Although every citizen bears the brunt of climate change, there is still great discussion of climate action within governments, organizations and researchers. It is not yet an agenda that will garner votes for political parties. We need to go beyond the jargon of climate change and take it to the people. Only then will climate action appear as a serious political agenda. It is not about the young or the old, it is about the fear of the future of mankind.
> There is a strong public opinion that you have been a game-changer when it comes to putting climate change and the environment in the spotlight. The policy intervention under your leadership has been the first of its kind. On the way, he used to travel less while walking, what were the hiccups? What was the biggest challenge you faced in bringing about this change? Also, your message to other leaders?
A. I would instead say that I am part of a climate conscious cabinet focusing on sustainable development. They have all been supporters of the climate action agenda, as they look at the impact of climate change all around us. We understand that this is a priority and we want to work on it. For a country like ours, the impact of climate change will not be as responsive as the social, political and economic impact on the people. States like Maharashtra can lead, but we need other states to walk shoulder to shoulder. Policy interventions are all thanks to our global partners, think-tanks, media input and feedback from citizens.
> Do you think that the ability of citizens, researchers and civil society groups to question officials is something that needs to be empowered? Should there be a proper feedback and evaluation framework for such criticism or feedback?
A. The voice of citizens should be heard and action should be taken. That is true democracy.
(This story is part of Climate & Democracy, a series of global journalism collaborations Covering Climate Now)