It’s Getting Hot In Here

It’s so easy to become swept up with life in India. There are so many stories here – inspiring and sad. So many people from all walks of life. Such stark contrasts of rich and poor, enlightened and corrupt.

I want to take you all on my journey during the IYCN climate solutions road tour. I want to introduce you to the people I met; To see the landscape as it changed; To show you the different languages, music and dances. To introduce you to the farmers, village women, and the labourers, to introduce you to the cleaners on the street, to the vice chancellors, politicians and CEOs. I wish you could see the fired up students who want to create a revolution and overthrow the corruption, to the idealistic children wanting to protect the environment, and to the masses who want change. I want to introduce you to the social workers and brilliant minds that are transforming the world.

I feel like we have all the things to create a revolution and maybe stop climate change, however I’m not sure how to harness the energy and strategically make it happen. I want to show you the beautiful palaces and organic farms, the solar innovations, tribal villages and earthy ashrams. I want to show you the effects of climate change which are so visible here – visible to the farmer, the coastal residents, the animals, the everyday person – which although are sad, brings me back to reality of what is a likely scenario in our lifetime and teaches me about what role I may need to play in a future of runaway climate change in a country that will be very severely impacted.

I have learnt that majority of the Indian people understand climate change (the concept, not always the jargon). And let me tell you majority of Indians don’t want climate change to happen, because it will impede on their development. (The only group not included were India’s elite to a certain extent). I have realised more than ever the need to redefine development.

Why? Today a country’s progress is often defined by GDP – how much a country sells/consumes. This means a country where everyone buys more stuff will have a higher GDP. So if you buy a cake, instead of making it at home, you’re contributing to a higher GDP – why is home-made cake less valued less then bought cake? That’s a question for my economics teacher cause I like home made cake better.

My point is, if based on our current model of progress and development, where the USA is considered to be one the most developed in the world, and the American dream is to have a big house, car, TV etc. – what would happen if India became “developed”? Do you think we have enough trees to chop and resources in the ground for India to use in such a scenario along with the rest of the world? It’s physically not possible. Our world doesn’t have enough resources to sustain humanity like that.

Yet wouldn’t you agree that majority of Indians (or any person in poverty from any country) shouldn’t continue living in the conditions they are living in? Not every Indian dream’s of a TV and a car. True our elite and middle class are moving in that direction – but that still cuts out a decent 700 million people. Most are aiming to fulfil basic needs. And the middle class and elite are moving towards living the American dream, because that’s all they’re being shown and taught. That’s what the entire world is being taught. Media and globalisation continues to encourage us that the only way to be happy is through “development by consumption” – and the only way to develop is by moving to the cities and creating flyovers and buildings with air conditioners. And climate change is being fuelled by unsustainable levels and styles of consumption.

So if we don’t have enough resources, and have climate change hanging over our heads – yet want to ensure eradication of poverty through development, what do we do? Redefine development. As Gandhiji said – there is enough for a man’s need but not a man’s greed. Hence development shouldn’t be defined by consumption, because that is not an indicator of standard of living or happiness.

What does it mean to redefine development?

I’m not going to delve into it from an economic theory point of view, but from a practical solutions point of view. One of the aims of the IYCN Climate Solutions Road Tour was to find the solutions that exist or have existed in India that will allow us to develop sustainably.

Solution 1: People’s awareness
I had the privilege of addressing the crowds in Mumbai during the Mumbai marathon. Almost every member in the audience agreed that they wanted to put an end to poverty, to the loss of our glaciers and rivers i.e. Ganga, to the loss of lives from diseases and health problems – all problems linked to climate change and the environment. From the corporate runner, to the college boy, from the chai walla, to the sweeper, children and parents all raised their hands in solidarity that they wanted to stop climate change. It was incredible!

Solution 2: Reforestation and Green cover
Mumbai also is the city with the most green cover in the world, or so we learnt when we visited the conservation efforts of Mumbai’s mangroves in recent years at Maharashtra National Park, it was absolutely beautiful. Forests aren’t only important to protect biodiversity, but also are the homes and livelihoods of many people in India. Furthermore, the protection of forests, is also the cheapest way to reduce carbon emissions!

Solution 3: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Whilst in Mumbai we also visited the largest slum in the world – Dharavi. And although no one talks about carbon foot printing and corporate social responsibility, the informal sector is one of the greener sectors in India and the world. The level of reuse and recycling (not through big plants, but through people) is amazing! They recycle paper, cardboard, plastics, cloth – all to use again, either for sales or in other parts of the supply chain.

India traditionally has had very little waste. In my childhood my families homes (here in India), had one little bin for a household of 10 that would stay empty most of the time. All waste that was produced either could be reused (plastic bags, newspaper), or could be fed to the cows and dogs (food waste). We never used tissues and plastic cups, we always used old cloth (which was a kurta probably once upon a time) and re-useable glasses. And when in public when you bought chai we would get it in Kullads (clay cups) that were easily recycled, or chaat in leaf cutlery that easily decomposed. Communities that reuse and recycle to me indicate better development and intelligence – not the throw away society we have become.

So keep things local, take your own bags and boxes, reduce, reuse, recycle and compost.

Solution 4: Solar Cookers & Women empowerment
Our first stop in Gujurat was Valsad where we saw Gadhia Solar’s demonstration plant for solar cookers and some of other solar technology. It was incredible! Some of these cookers are able to feed 50,000 or 80,000 people at a time and are being used by temples, spiritual hubs, the Indian army and all sorts of places! Apart from solar electricity and solar water heaters, solar cookers are a critical solution, especially for countries like India. Black soot (particulate carbon) is said to be a silent killer, and one of the leading causes of death amongst women in India. Women and the girl child in village households are responsible for collecting firewood which is used to burn in the chulla for cooking. The soot from burning the wood creates lung and eye problems, whilst the collection of firewood often results in rape and abuse cases. Meaning that not only are solar cookers good for reducing emissions, but protect women and children from health and safety issues. Furthermore they save women a lot of time, allowing them alternative sources of income generation, through cooking and selling cooked goods!

Solution 5: Protect Biodiversity
During our time in Goa we met with conservationists. It was sad to hear how development has slowly killed off and prevented turtle breeding. Furthermore, in recent years the rise in temperature has messed up their breeding cycle. This year the turtles have laid their eggs 3 months late, and it is unlikely that the eggs will hatch… It’s interesting, India boasts of its Western Ghats, the tiger, elephants, peacocks, how long will such vibrant and colourful fauna and flora exist if poaching, deforestation and climate change continues? However with increased public awareness as has been seen in Goa, or religious education as being done by RSNH in places like Rajasthan, people are slowly being educated to protect and feel pride in their local wildlife and ecosystems.

These are only 5 of many solutions. I will write soon about the other ones I think are critical.

Each country faces its own challenges and can find its own solutions if it looks hard enough. India has some amazing solutions – in the form of technology, traditional knowledge, spirituality, and people. And if it chooses to, it can show the world that sustainable development is possible. I personally believe that most countries can, and it’s not a question so much of the solutions existing, but more so the political will to implement the solutions.

The thinking that created the problem, won’t be the thinking that creates the solution.

Be the change.

Be the solution.