(May 14, 2022) The environmental change sweeping the world is occurring at a faster pace than previously thought, making it imperative that governments act now to reverse the damage being done to the planet. According to a study by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), over the last few decades, exploitation of our planet and the degradation of our environment has gone up at an alarming rate. With natural disasters striking us more often in the form of flash floods, earthquakes, blizzards, tsunamis, and cyclones, many environmentalists have positioned themselves as advocates of sustainability, determined to meet the climate crisis at humanity’s doorstep.
Global Indian takes a look at young Indians who have been working on protecting this planet. Through their sustainability efforts across fashion, water conservation, waste management, education, policymaking and sustainable energy, these young environmentalists inspire and impact thousands of people around the globe.
Soumya Ranjan Biswal, marine conservationalist
Mangroves might appear to be merely coastal forests, but these rich ecosystems support the planet and living beings in many ways. From providing breeding grounds for fish to carbon storage, and protection against flooding, mangroves does it all. Despite this, the mangrove forests are under threat. Odisha-based 24-year-old environmentalist Soumya Ranjan Biswal has been voluntarily growing intending to regenerate the mangrove forests along the 18-km-long beach stretch for the last few years. Locally called Rai, Harakancha, Sundari, Bani, Guan and Keruan, these plants are integral to the coastal habitat and livelihood of local fishermen.
Soumya Ranjan Biswal
The youngster is also working tirelessly to protect the threatened habitat of Olive Ridley turtles. From protecting eggs of the endangered species from predators to taking out cycle rallies to spread awareness among coastal inhabitants for safety of the sea turtles to cleaning the beaches for release of hatchlings, Soumya, fondly called Olly Boy, is doing it all. When the Odisha government agreed to have the Olive Ridley sea turtle as the mascot for the 2018 Hockey World Cup, that’s when the young environmentalist decided to hold their historic one month-long cycle expedition, paddling through coastal pockets of Rushikulya, Puri, Chilika, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore to create awareness about protection of the turtles.
The annual nesting season of the #OliveRidley turtles at the Rushikulya rookery in Ganjam district has created a new record of over 5.5 lakh nests this year. We at OPSA very Fortune to Volunteer in this site for the Cleanup of this beach for the years along with team @dfobhmpr. pic.twitter.com/6zMY7FZ4Uq
— Odisha Paryavaran Sanrakshan Abhiyan Trust (@OdishaSeaTurtle) April 9, 2022
While the cause of Olive Ridleys is dear to Soumya, he has also been working to save sparrows, reviving dry water bodies in forests and keeping beaches plastic free. “As a coastal village boy, I’ve always been affected by ocean and beach pollution, high mortality rates of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle and mangrove destruction which have resulted in the occurrence of consistent natural calamities. This made me feel more strongly about issues like environmental degradation, climate change and its impact on the marine ecosystem.” Soumya had said in an earlier interview. He was also a part of the We The Change campaign initiated by the United Nations in India.
- Follow Soumya Ranjan Biswal on Twitter
Hina Saifi, clean air and renewable energy activist
Working with NGOs within her village in Meerut, Hina Saifi started to work on climate awareness after noting a lack of environmental awareness in her polluted village of Sisosla. From campaigning for solar-powered solutions to mobilising local communities to tackle air pollution through public campaigns, call for action and pamphlets, Hina has been associated with the 100% Uttar Pradesh Campaign and The Climate Agenda since 2018.
Manjil unhi ko milti h
Jinke iraade #bulandiya chhune ke hote h..!! pic.twitter.com/zVIUw9mzSt— Hina Saifi (@HinaSai03267365) October 4, 2021
“I believe that if there’s public awareness, then we can improve the environment. It will happen if people are aware of climate-friendly behaviours and actions. This is why I want to work in the space of public awareness and mobilisation,” Hina advocated during a press interaction. After she launched Suraj Se Samriddhi, a campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of solar power, Hina was selected as the United Nation Young Environment Champion last year.
Berjis Driver, sustainable urban planner
An urban planner and associate member of the Institute of Town Planners India, Berjis Driver is working with the government to reduce disparities, improve accessibility and quality of life in cities. Berjis’ expertise in environmental planning was important in understanding the relationship between Mumbai’s infrastructure and its environment. As an architect, he has been contributing to statutory urban policy and guideline preparation in Mumbai and Amravati.
Berjis Driver
A UN Youth Environment Champion, the environmentalist advocates that the urban cities’ environment has been disconnected with the ecosystem. The norms on a per capita basis track back to the 60s and 70s and are not relevant to India today. He has been working to implement the basic benchmarks for green infrastructure, with rigorous control, in every city. “The promise of being able to reach out and scale up climate action, to learn the truth behind the origins and contexts of sustainability, help navigate it favourably, and to be able to safeguard the weakest in the face of climate change, is what continues to motivate me in this journey,” Berjis shared during an interview.
Archana Soreng, grassroots climate storyteller
A member of Odisha’s Khadia Tribal Community, Archana Soreng is experienced in advocacy and research, and is working to document, preserve, and promote traditional knowledge and cultural practices of indigenous communities. Named by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to his new Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change, Archana amplifies and engages young people in transparent conversations about the climate emergency.
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A research officer at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Forest Rights and Governance Project in Vasundhara, Odisha, Archana opines that while the contribution in protection and restoration of nature and being the real guardians of the forest and warriors of the climate crisis of the indigenous people is immense, they’re vulnerable and on the verge of extinction as their rights over their forest and land are not recognised. The environmentalist notes, “Our ancestors have been protecting the forest and nature over the ages through their traditional knowledge and practices. Now it is on us to be the front runners in combating the climate crisis.”
Archana believes that the role the tribal communities have in climate activism and wants to protect the rights of indigenous people in the face of environmental destruction and land encroachment. “Time and again, it has been witnessed that investment in the land of Adivasi and Forest-dwelling communities have deprived them of their traditional lands, viable livelihoods and their socio-economic and cultural rights. Alienating them from their sustainable and their self-sufficient way of life, it puts them in a vicious cycle of poverty,” she opines.
Neha Shivaji Naikwade, sustainable entrepreneurship
A mechanical engineer and co-founder of Parvaah, a youth cell working towards zero-waste initiatives, Neha Shivaji Naikwade, was among the 17 young climate leaders from across India who have done pioneering work in diverse sectors and fight against global warming, selected by the United Nations in 2020. She has worked extensively on policymaking and CSR initiatives through her corporate work and experience as a Policy in Action Fellow at Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC).
Neha Shivaji Naikwade
She currently works with the Climate Collective Foundation as a project manager where she helps develop and strengthen climate-oriented startups and early-stage climate-tech entrepreneurs. Through this programme, she will be supporting 50 exceptional early-stage young climate entrepreneurs in the field of circular economy, waste management, e-mobility, sustainable food technology, and sustainable tourism.
“I believe that in order to support mitigation, adaptation and resilience to our changing world, it is important to leverage innovation and technology to help understand and manage climate risk. Startups will play a key role in developing these new technologies and solutions.” Neha had said during an interview.
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