Climate change from a classroom

Around 5 P.M., me and my friends entered a fully air conditioned hall to discuss climate change and environment. We were given a badge, notebook, pen and a pamphlet. The hall had two big screens for those sitting at the higher end and one big banner on the stage. The event was organised by Youth Ki Awaaz, a youth organisation in India, who discuss various issues through a platform called Converge. This event, particularly, was called Climate Converge, where various entrepreneurs, activists, public figures and even government officials were invited to present their views and contribution to the blue planet.

One talked about how we need to curb human greed, for our wants will never end but resources will. Kristen Kagetsu, co-founder of Saathi Pads, a sustainable substitute for the conventional sanitary napkins, shared her journey with us. RJ Dhwanit, explained his tree plantation initiative, planting over 80,000 trees in the past year itself. All of them gave motivating speeches to an intelligent audience who cared enough about the cause to raise questions to the government and to the renowned speakers fiercely and fearlessly. Some of them actively practiced the three Rs and acted as role models for the rest of spectators that climate conservation is very much in an individual's control.

Yet, two nights after we all walked out of the hall after the 1.5 hour seminar, most of us probably put on our best ghagras, kurtas, and kediyus, and danced till 3 A.M. on Tara Vina Shyam and Chogada. We all love our festivals too much. We all want greenery and environment conservation but not at the cost of our comfort and luxuries. This was one of the central ideas spoken of in the Converge. Consumers and Capitalism are to blame for our degrading environmental conditions, yet there is no stopping human greed and growing economies. The two seem to have conflicting notions but that doesn't have to be the case.

With activists like Greta Thurnberg leading movements, raising awareness and calling out big corporations, we need to ask questions like, If not this, then what? How do we substitute the resources? Is calling out these corporations enough? Let's face it, an "environmentalist" blaming a company and then using their product is not changing anything, which brings me back to where we began this discussion, we are all giant magnanimous hypocrites.

We all talk big, do nothing. This rant is irrelevant because it does the same. Yet, what Greta Thurnberg is doing, is raising awareness. It is finally pushing the millennial towards looking at the bigger picture. Though it might not be enough, a conversation is important. Surely, we all will become more sensitive towards our surroundings and when that happens, our mind will subconsciously take actions to improve our habits by taking personal responsibility.

Now, I will go back and discuss the same in my fully air-conditioned class room of thirty in an urban area in a metropolitan city, in a developing country called India.