This interview is a part of the World Environment Day 2020 Interview Series. We welcome views from environmentalists, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders on present environmental challenges and request their innovative ideas to find sustainable solutions to solve them.
Name: Abhishek
Taneja
Taneja
Organization: EarthJust
and Berry Clean
and Berry Clean
Designation: Sutradhaar
 |
| Abhishek Taneja |
ST: According to you what is
the biggest environmental threat in the world at present?
the biggest environmental threat in the world at present?
Abhishek Taneja: I personally believe it is
our consumption for greed, which is much beyond our consumption for need.
our consumption for greed, which is much beyond our consumption for need.
But before I delve deeper to
answer this question, one thing to remember and hold in context is that the
Earth and Environment are not in danger. Earth is too big a force to be
destroyed by us. Our (Human) survival needs Earth, Earth does not need humans for
its survival. The minute we understand this, the answer to climate change,
emergency, crisis etc. becomes imminently clear. The biggest environmental
threat is the survival of our species. It’s as simple and as complicated as
that.
answer this question, one thing to remember and hold in context is that the
Earth and Environment are not in danger. Earth is too big a force to be
destroyed by us. Our (Human) survival needs Earth, Earth does not need humans for
its survival. The minute we understand this, the answer to climate change,
emergency, crisis etc. becomes imminently clear. The biggest environmental
threat is the survival of our species. It’s as simple and as complicated as
that.
Look at the big C of today,
which has literally brought the world to a stand still. While we can debate and
discuss the direct linkage,but there’s no denying the fact that many of the
root causes of climate change also increase the risk of pandemics.
Deforestation, which occurs mostly for consumption purposes, is the largest
cause of habitat loss worldwide. We have many reasons to take climate action to
improve our health and reducing risks for infectious disease emergence is one
of them. And this comes verbatim from a recent BBC report, qualified by a lot
of researchers.
which has literally brought the world to a stand still. While we can debate and
discuss the direct linkage,but there’s no denying the fact that many of the
root causes of climate change also increase the risk of pandemics.
Deforestation, which occurs mostly for consumption purposes, is the largest
cause of habitat loss worldwide. We have many reasons to take climate action to
improve our health and reducing risks for infectious disease emergence is one
of them. And this comes verbatim from a recent BBC report, qualified by a lot
of researchers.
And like the effects of this
pandemic, the threat of climate change will be multifold. From hunger,
displacement, malnutrition, mortality, economic slowdown, scarcity of
resources, increase in crime, and so on and so forth. We will see extremes of
all kinds – from excessive rainfalls to droughts. The harvest cycles have
already been changing. Water crisis has become a reality and is no longer a
fictitious meandering of activists. Biodiversity is in steep decline. Climate
disruption is approaching a point of no return. Most glaciers in temperate
regions of the world are retreating. Species are becoming extinct at an
unprecedented rate.
pandemic, the threat of climate change will be multifold. From hunger,
displacement, malnutrition, mortality, economic slowdown, scarcity of
resources, increase in crime, and so on and so forth. We will see extremes of
all kinds – from excessive rainfalls to droughts. The harvest cycles have
already been changing. Water crisis has become a reality and is no longer a
fictitious meandering of activists. Biodiversity is in steep decline. Climate
disruption is approaching a point of no return. Most glaciers in temperate
regions of the world are retreating. Species are becoming extinct at an
unprecedented rate.
And the result of all this
will be felt by everyone.
will be felt by everyone.
Responding to climate change
for our own survival will be one of the biggest challenges we face this
century.
for our own survival will be one of the biggest challenges we face this
century.
ST: What do you think a
common person can do to help the environment?
common person can do to help the environment?
Abhishek Taneja: Oh!Lots of things. I think
it is this “common person” who holds all the power to impact the environment.
He has the power of choice.
it is this “common person” who holds all the power to impact the environment.
He has the power of choice.
One of my favorite quotes by
Margaret Mead is, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed
citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
COVID has brought to fore the frailties of governments around the world. Has
exposed how unprepared we are to face a disaster. What we can do however, is
use this as an opportunity to learn and to fill the gap with the power of
masses.
Margaret Mead is, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed
citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
COVID has brought to fore the frailties of governments around the world. Has
exposed how unprepared we are to face a disaster. What we can do however, is
use this as an opportunity to learn and to fill the gap with the power of
masses.
As consumers we hold a lot of
power. It’s time to realize that power and demand products which not only
benefit the producers, but us and the environment. For too long, the
profitability of the producers has ruled decision making, and shaped the
market. As a common person, we can change the course of markets that are
People, Planet and Profit friendly.
power. It’s time to realize that power and demand products which not only
benefit the producers, but us and the environment. For too long, the
profitability of the producers has ruled decision making, and shaped the
market. As a common person, we can change the course of markets that are
People, Planet and Profit friendly.
When you as a consumer will demand
ethical products, and will demand products that are healthy for you and our
home, the producers will have to make the shift. They will be forced to
innovate and cater to your demands. For each producer and supplier, the
customer is the king. And “You” the king, if you become aware of the kind
of choices you are making, even in simple products like your laundry cleaner.
You will realize that you are an equal contributor in this.
ethical products, and will demand products that are healthy for you and our
home, the producers will have to make the shift. They will be forced to
innovate and cater to your demands. For each producer and supplier, the
customer is the king. And “You” the king, if you become aware of the kind
of choices you are making, even in simple products like your laundry cleaner.
You will realize that you are an equal contributor in this.
A simple, humble laundry
cleaner is made in a process that harms everyone involved, from the worker in
the manufacturing unit, to your skin, to our drainage system to our farmlands.
Because of the harmful toxins and pollutants released by this simple laundry
cleaner. This is just one case in point to show what a common man’s choice
leads to.
cleaner is made in a process that harms everyone involved, from the worker in
the manufacturing unit, to your skin, to our drainage system to our farmlands.
Because of the harmful toxins and pollutants released by this simple laundry
cleaner. This is just one case in point to show what a common man’s choice
leads to.
We have been practicing and
advocating sustainable living practices that involve simple, lifestyle changes
that lead to massive impacts. All of our customers, by making a simple choice
of switching to natural cleaners, have helped save resources that would have
been spent on making 700 new bottles. Our customers have so far, in just 3
months, through our products saved 2,50,000 ltrs water. Reduced 50,000 ltrs of
chemical infused grey water and added 60 ltrs de-contaminating bio-enzyme in the
sewerage system, that will bio-remediate 60,000 ltrs of grey water. Apart from
that, also saved 300 kg of food scrap and 400 plastic bottles from ending up in
the landfill.
advocating sustainable living practices that involve simple, lifestyle changes
that lead to massive impacts. All of our customers, by making a simple choice
of switching to natural cleaners, have helped save resources that would have
been spent on making 700 new bottles. Our customers have so far, in just 3
months, through our products saved 2,50,000 ltrs water. Reduced 50,000 ltrs of
chemical infused grey water and added 60 ltrs de-contaminating bio-enzyme in the
sewerage system, that will bio-remediate 60,000 ltrs of grey water. Apart from
that, also saved 300 kg of food scrap and 400 plastic bottles from ending up in
the landfill.
The message then is simple,
loud and clear – Make choices that are healthy for you and the Earth. By taking
simple steps or 5Rs- being aware of your consumption. Being aware of the
products you are buying. And exercising simple choices towards more sustainable
products and lifestyle.
loud and clear – Make choices that are healthy for you and the Earth. By taking
simple steps or 5Rs- being aware of your consumption. Being aware of the
products you are buying. And exercising simple choices towards more sustainable
products and lifestyle.
ST: What message do you have
for the present and future generations?
for the present and future generations?
Abhishek Taneja: Our oldest traditions, be it
Mayan, South American, Amazonian tribes, or closer home, our own, had a thumb
rule. Whatever policy changes they wanted to make, they would think about its
implications till the 7th generation i.e. 140 years. Perhaps that’s where the
phrase “Saath pushton tak” or saat pidi,
comes from. Seeing the wisdom of it, United Nation recently also decided to
take this as a parameter as well in its decision making.
Mayan, South American, Amazonian tribes, or closer home, our own, had a thumb
rule. Whatever policy changes they wanted to make, they would think about its
implications till the 7th generation i.e. 140 years. Perhaps that’s where the
phrase “Saath pushton tak” or saat pidi,
comes from. Seeing the wisdom of it, United Nation recently also decided to
take this as a parameter as well in its decision making.
It may seem difficult to
foresee 150 yrs ahead but once you start trying you will realize all you need
is some intuition and empathy. Think about the implication of your choices, big
and small on your own family and future generations.
foresee 150 yrs ahead but once you start trying you will realize all you need
is some intuition and empathy. Think about the implication of your choices, big
and small on your own family and future generations.
Not one of us, gets up
thinking they want to spoil the world. Yet collectively we have made a world
that is not inhabitable for all. Earth will continue to exist. We might or
might not. The decisions then are not because we are environmentally conscious,
but because we want to thrive and survive and not go extinct like the
dinosaurs.
thinking they want to spoil the world. Yet collectively we have made a world
that is not inhabitable for all. Earth will continue to exist. We might or
might not. The decisions then are not because we are environmentally conscious,
but because we want to thrive and survive and not go extinct like the
dinosaurs.
It will be very funny if the
future generations in some universe read in their history books as “It is the
primary purpose and instinct of any species to survive, dinosaurs could survive
4 million years and homo-sapiens could not manage even half a million. It seems
dinosaurs were more intelligent animals”.
future generations in some universe read in their history books as “It is the
primary purpose and instinct of any species to survive, dinosaurs could survive
4 million years and homo-sapiens could not manage even half a million. It seems
dinosaurs were more intelligent animals”.
ST: What is the significance
of ‘World Environment Day’ at the present time?
of ‘World Environment Day’ at the present time?
Abhishek Taneja: An Inter-governmental Panel
on Climate Change (IPCC) report in 2018 suggested that keeping to the 1.5C
target would require “rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all
aspects of society”. And mind this that 1.5 degrees will still have its own consequences,
yet the hope is that we will be able to survive the effects. While scientists
have been advocating and talking about climate change. The realities of the
rapid changes are stark evidence and highlight the need of action.
on Climate Change (IPCC) report in 2018 suggested that keeping to the 1.5C
target would require “rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all
aspects of society”. And mind this that 1.5 degrees will still have its own consequences,
yet the hope is that we will be able to survive the effects. While scientists
have been advocating and talking about climate change. The realities of the
rapid changes are stark evidence and highlight the need of action.
What we witnessed with Corona
on one hand was the mass damage and deaths. On the other hand, we also saw the
healing powers of nature. How fast and quickly can nature rejuvenate if left to
itself. Ganga has never been purer in our lifetimes. Yamuna revived itself in
mere 60 days. Dolphins have returned to Mumbai and even Meerut. While we have
been cooped inside gripped by fear, Earth has healed itself. To reaffirm, Earth
will thrive without us. We won’t and can’t survive without it.
on one hand was the mass damage and deaths. On the other hand, we also saw the
healing powers of nature. How fast and quickly can nature rejuvenate if left to
itself. Ganga has never been purer in our lifetimes. Yamuna revived itself in
mere 60 days. Dolphins have returned to Mumbai and even Meerut. While we have
been cooped inside gripped by fear, Earth has healed itself. To reaffirm, Earth
will thrive without us. We won’t and can’t survive without it.
What we can clearly see now
on this particular Environment Day is massive in terms of both the evidences –
of perils and of wonders. We were forced into a snooze that made this possible,
and while this might not be possible for eternity. But can we take our cues and
learnings from what we were forced to see, into designing a now, and a future,
that is more sustainable – not just economically, but ecologically as well.
Because a healthy planet = healthy us!
on this particular Environment Day is massive in terms of both the evidences –
of perils and of wonders. We were forced into a snooze that made this possible,
and while this might not be possible for eternity. But can we take our cues and
learnings from what we were forced to see, into designing a now, and a future,
that is more sustainable – not just economically, but ecologically as well.
Because a healthy planet = healthy us!
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