The early onset of scorching summer weather after a year of record-breaking heat has been unsettling for everyone, but it has also made it clear that sustainability can no longer be shrugged off just as a buzzword and only the government's responsibility.
Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG), an organisation promoting peace, culture, education and sustainability, organized its third Sustainability Conclave on 24 April, 2024 in Mumbai with the theme – ‘From Ideas to Impact: Catalysing Change Through Sustainable Human Behaviour’ to inculcate such widespread change at society's grassroots level.
“If we look at the data and the statistics regarding climate change, the situation doesn’t seem very hopeful, it is rather alarming. But, if we look at the resilient nature of the human spirit, the ingenuity of the human heart, I am confident that we will be able to transform our future and steer it in a direction of sustainable growth and development for all,” Vishesh Gupta Chairperson, BSG, said in his inaugural address.
With the world poised to consume three times as much energy, minerals and other resources by 2050, only a sustainable way of living that is deeply embedded in each individual’s inner transformation can ensure the peace and security of the coming generations, participants said.
The conclave, held at the Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir Auditorium in Mumbai, brought together thought leaders, experts, and sustainability enthusiasts to explore the challenges and opportunities for creating a sustainable future.
Only by bringing ordinary citizens on board can such big steps be taken to achieve sustainability, said Ramveer Tanwar, the Pondman of India & Founder – Say Earth NGO, in his keynote address.
The conclave included a panel discussion by speakers such as Radha Goenka, Director – RPG Foundation, Founder – Pehlay Akshar, The Heritage Project, Artisan:re and Nature:re; Bhupendra Mishra, Founder – The Resilient Foundation, Divisional Warden - Civil Defence, Government of Maharashtra; Sandhya Naidu Janardhan, Founder & Managing Director, Community Design Agency; and Pranab J Patar, Senior Environment &Sustainability Expert.
A meaningful change is only possible by taking deep action at the individual level, they said.
“The escalating environmental vulnerabilities call for proactive action, beginning with increased awareness, adopting environment-appropriate behaviour and heightened efforts around three priority issues: CPR - Combating climate change, preventing pollution, and Restoring ecosystems”, said Patar, who is an advocate of nature-based solutions.
The panellists shared their perspectives on the theme and emphasized the need for concrete action to create a culture of sustainability. They also shared their own experiences about taking actions to impact individual lifestyles.
Goenka said, “Everything big starts small. Being mindful of nature, conserving water or treating people kindly - every small action makes a big difference.”
Janardhan said, “The need to engage and involve youth and young adults in shaping new futures is now more critical than ever. And the philosophy and value systems of BSG couldn’t be more relevant in the kind of world that we are inhabiting today.”
“Every person’s effort in addressing climate change counts, like drops in the ocean of progress,” said Mishra.
In conjunction with the conclave, BSG arranged a sustainability exhibition titled ‘Seeds of Hope & Action: Making the SDGs a Reality’, to bring home the message about the ’Power of One’ to create a more sustainable world, and about adopting ‘Sustainable Human Behaviour’ as a way of life.
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