Bhubaneswar, Oct 3 (Reporter) Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday said only a strong political will along with mass awareness can reverse the situation of Climate change. Addressing a programme on “punasch pruthibi “ organized by the Odia daily Sambad here Patnaik said Climate change is a global phenomenon and humanity as a whole has to face it. He said most political parties are unwilling to accept tough climate targets due to a variety of reasons. The United Nations has called upon political leaders to take drastic steps now to deal with the climate emergency, the Biju Janata Dal President said. Patnaik recalled when he assumed the office of the Chief Minister of Odisha on 5th of March 5,2000, the biggest challenge before his government was cyclone reconstruction and building a resilient Odisha. The super cyclone of 1999, he said, had left a trail of destruction across the coastal Odisha including the state capital. The huge loss of life and property had shocked the entire country. For the first time in the country, Patnaik said the Disaster Management Authority was created. Hundreds of cyclone and flood shelters were constructed while strengthening embankments and a massive plantation was taken up. Odisha, Patnaik said prone to natural calamities due to its geographic location, became a model in disaster management. Even the United Nations recognized our endeavors to successful disaster management, he added. Odisha is the first state to have a state action plan for climate change in 2010 and the climate change budget is being implemented in the state from 2019,Patnaik said. To underscore the emphasis on climate change the nomenclature of the Forest and Environment dept has been changed to Forest Environment and Climate Change dept in 2021, the BJD supremo said. He congratulated all partners of this event for bringing together experts and stakeholders to deliberate on this subject of paramount importance "Time is running out. We can no longer afford to wait and watch", Patnaik said . “It is high time for us to act, " he said and urged one and all to join hands and collaborate in a positive way to save Mother Earth...////...