Unimportant voter is someone who is not considered significant or influential in the political process.

According to a recent report, India and 12 other countries are facing the possibility of severe consequences due to the increasing levels of carbon dioxide emissions. This report, released by the risk intelligence firm Verisk Maplecroft, lists India, along with Brazil, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Malaysia, the UAE, Vietnam, Egypt, Pakistan, Mexico, Australia, and Iraq, as the most vulnerable countries to climate change. These nations are among the top 30 emitters of greenhouse gases globally. Surprisingly, the US and China, known as the world's biggest polluters, may not face the worst outcomes from climate change, according to the report.

The report predicts that the rise in extreme weather events such as droughts and severe storms will have catastrophic effects. However, the primary threat to these countries will be the increasing temperatures. The report states that the 13 major emitters mentioned earlier are expected to experience a significant rise in extreme heat events. This can have a devastating impact on economic activities and human life.

The rising heat levels can greatly hinder various forms of economic activity, particularly in regions with high humidity or intense radiation. The report highlights the dangers posed by heat stress, especially for individuals working in industries that require outdoor or poorly ventilated environments, such as agriculture and construction.

Given these alarming predictions, one would assume that India, being the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases and the most populous country, would take necessary measures to address these concerns. However, climate change is still not a significant part of our political discourse. It remains confined to civil society groups and communities that bear the brunt of extreme weather events. According to a survey, three out of five Indians perceive climate change as a threat to the country.

India is already experiencing the effects of climate change, such as erratic monsoons, desertification, flash floods, melting of Himalayan glaciers, rising sea levels, and severe heat waves. Yet, none of these issues are being addressed at the political level. A study conducted by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and the Centre for Voting Opinion & Trends in Election Research found that between 1999 and 2019, only 0.3% of questions raised by politicians in the Parliament and state assemblies were about climate change.

It is disheartening to see that climate change has not been given enough importance in the manifestos of political parties contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. In comparison, Europe has witnessed frequent climate protests by students, and even farmers have recently taken to the streets to raise awareness about this issue. In Australia, the last national elections were primarily focused on climate change. However, in India, it is challenging to imagine climate change being a part of our political narrative when other polarizing and irrelevant topics take center stage.

The voters are to be blamed for this current state of affairs where economic growth and addressing climate change have been pushed to the background. All we seem to be concerned about is which party and leader will win the elections, who will be the heir apparent, and what freebies are being offered to lure us, the voters.

Although skilling the youth is crucial for preparing them for jobs, we must also question who will create these jobs and how. The reality is that if our next generation is skilled, they will expect jobs that utilize their abilities. This raises the question of who will create these jobs and how they will be enabled to employ a large number of people. These are critical questions that need to be addressed.

Instead of just focusing on how India can achieve its target of net-zero emissions by 2070, we must also consider how we can develop a robust economy that takes into account both economic growth and the protection of the environment. Unfortunately, the voters have undermined their own importance by reducing themselves to mere numbers in the political landscape. It is time for us to shift our attention towards issues that truly matter and demand accountability from our leaders.

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