Schoolgirl Shweta Easther marandi realised one day that by changing their household bulbs to lED and compact fluorescent lights, her family could reduce its carbon footprint. Then she encouraged her school friends and her community. Finally she spoke about it with the media.

Shweta is part of the Tarumitra environmental organisation which receives funding and programme support from Caritas. This is one example of how Caritas india encourages people of all ages and all walks of life to take climate change into their own hands.

As the Subcontinent becomes increasingly vulnerable to floods, droughts, sea erosion and other disasters, one thing has become clear to Caritas india: to make significant impact on the effects of climate change, it has to go right to the root causes.

This means not just focusing on providing relief once a disaster has struck, but preparing communities to take a look at their practices and become more proactive so the impact of any calamity is lessened.

Caritas india has set up the CESSS – the Centre for Environmental Studies in Social Sector – to teach small farmers about programmes which promote sustainable agriculture.

In indian legends, there was a magical tree that could grant wishes. it seems only appropriate that Caritas india has adopted the tree as the symbol of its campaign to combat climate change and is calling on supporters to plant a tree to show their support. Climate change is a part of the long term development plans of Caritas india.