Environmentalists, policy makers, industry and schoolchildren came together to lend support to the green cause during the Earth Care Awards function held on World Earth Day The debate over climate change is now urgent, demanding the attention of citizens and authorities everywhere. Taking an important step to increase awareness about the challenges faced by our planet, The Times of India and Jindal Steel Works (JSW) initiated the Earth Care awards on April 22, World Earth Day. The first edition of the awards rolled out at a well-attended function on Tuesday evening with senior ministers Ambika Soni and Kapil Sibal, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and former power minister and Shiv Sena MP Suresh Prabhu gracing the occasion along with wellknown political personalities like Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and Congress MP Rajiv Shukla. Minister of state for steel Jitin Prasad and Sachin Pilot, Congress MP, added to the gathering's lustre. The awards ceremony was enlivened by an enchanting dance routine based on the five elements of nature. The graceful, perfectly choreographed movements and soothing music had the audience riveted. The ensemble set the tone for the evening's ceremony which was followed by an easy social interaction between winners and guests over dinner. Earlier in the day there were three panel discussions on land and forests, finance and climate change and water as a resource. The discussions were illuminative and even evoked considerable audience participation. Conflicting points of views encouraged debate as participants from NGOs, government, political parties and unattached groups outlined the risks of complacency in addressing climate change. The awards were a recognition of those who have taken up arms in the battle to save the earth in full earnest. The Earth Care Awards for Excellence in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation felicitated individuals and industry representatives for initiatives in management of natural resources and mitigation of greenhouse gases. The event saw policy makers, environmentalists, industry and school children, who turned up to lend their support to the green cause, come together to bring about a sense of involvement. Evaluating the risks of climate change, awards were given out for mitigation of greenhouse gases, community-led action for management of water resources, land use changes and forestry and innovation for climate protection. Ambika Soni, minister for tourism and culture, gave out awards for community-led action on mitigation and adaptation to climate change with respect to water resources, land use and forests. Science and technology minister Kapil Sibal lent his support to the effort to create both awareness and