Speeches & Articles

Remarks of Consul General Beth A. Payne
at the Green Biz Quiz Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, April 22, 2009

April 22, 2009

Good afternoon!  Namaskar

I am glad to be here today to participate in the Fourth Annual Green Biz Quiz and I am pleased to once again co-sponsor this exciting event with the Indian Chamber of Commerce.  I would like to thank our knowledge partners PriceWaterhouseCoopers and the students of the J.D. Birla School of Management for their assistance and support.  And, a special thanks our quiz master Suman Mukerjee. 
 
Congratulations to all the winners!  Actually, every one of you who participated is a winner.  By learning more about how to protect the environment and how to "go green," you are now able to work towards greater sustainability of our planet.  All of you here today are the future leaders of this world and you will be the ones who ensure that we have a healthy planet for generations to come.   
 
Today we commemorate Earth Day.  On this day in 1970, Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator, started the modern environmental movement when he proposed the first nationwide environmental protest to, quote, “shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda.”   “It was a gamble,” he recalled, “but it worked.”  And it continues working today. 
 
Today, the need to protect the Earth has become even more crucial.   Population growth, rising pollution levels, and the degradation of natural resources such as our forests, are reflected in climate change and global warming.  Each one of us has a responsibility to ensure that the Earth’s resources are used in a sustainable manner. 
 
President Obama has made protecting the environment one of his administration's top priorities.  He has a comprehensive plan to invest in alternative and renewable energy and combat global warming.  He is committed to ensuring that at least 10 percent of America’s electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.  He is also implementing an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. by 80 percent by 2050.

President Obama also recognizes the need for the U.S. to resume its place as a global leader on climate change.  The U.S. recently invited 16 major economies, including India, to a forum from April 27-28 to discuss climate change and clean energy ventures.  This Major Economies Forum will facilitate a candid dialogue among key developed and developing countries, help generate the political leadership necessary to achieve a successful outcome at the UN climate change negotiations that will convene this December in Copenhagen, and advance the exploration of concrete initiatives and joint ventures that increase the supply of clean energy while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
 
In addition to strong government action, an educated business sector can also play an important role in helping safeguard our planet.  That's why we are partnering with business chambers and private companies in holding the “Green Biz Quiz.”  It's clear from today's quiz that "green business" is good business.  When companies minimize waste and make good use of resources, they will also increase profits.  Companies save in electricity costs when they make optimal use of natural light, and reduce expenses when they recycle water. 
 
I hope this quiz has also reinforced that “green thinking” is also positive thinking.  "Green thinking" finds way to reduce carbon emissions generated by fossil fuels and develops alternative forms of energy by capturing the power of the sun and wind.   So, on this Earth Day, let me end by presenting a challenge to everyone here - students, members of the business community, the news media - can you afford not to be green? 

Thank you!