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: Kiran Joneja Sippy
Organization: RSACE (Ramesh Sippy Academy for Cinema and Entertainment)
Designation: Managing Director
ST: According to you what is the biggest environmental threat in the world at present?
Kiran Joneja Sippy: The biggest threat globally as well as in India is air pollution. We’re aware that the levels of air pollution here in India are extremely high. There are evident reasons for it such as industrial emissions, construction work which goes on all round the year, the fumes released by vehicles because there’s so many of them out on the road. In fact, due to the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown, since we’re all sitting at home, there is a visible difference in the air pollution levels because factories are shut, there are barely any cars on the roads, this in itself tells us how much all of these little routine things were contributing to pollution.
ST: What do you think a common person can do to help the environment?
Kiran Joneja Sippy: There are many simple things one can do to cut down on pollution. Firstly, try and use your personal vehicle to the minimum, make a list of things that you need to buy. You don’t have to keep stepping out for shopping often, make sure you get everything covered in one go. You can walk to places that are close by or maybe even use a bicycle. It’s a great way of exercising and absolutely environment friendly. This is a popular practice in Europe and I feel that people in India should also try and adopt this practice wherever and whenever
possible.
Shut the lights every time you walk out of the room, switch the electrical appliances off when not in use, make use of solar power and bulbs that draw less power. Try to incorporate the concept of reuse and recycle in your life. Basically, while using any resource whether it’s water, electricity or gas be conscious; use only as much as you require and avoid wastage at all costs. We practice the same at home.
ST: What message do you have to the present and future generations?
Kiran Joneja Sippy: My message for the youngsters would be the same. The little things are what really means a great deal and by incorporating these small changes in our lifestyle we can really make a difference and that’s something everyone needs to believe in, especially the youth of today. Once everyone really starts to understand the current environmental crisis and believe in making a change is when we can truly look at having improved circumstances.
ST: What is the significance of ‘World Environment Day’ at the present time?
Kiran Joneja Sippy: The 5th of June is celebrated as World Environment day by the UN. It is a great way for us to come together as a community and instill a sense of compassion for the environment amongst each other. They pick up a theme every year and this year it – ‘time for nature’. We’re all at homes and obviously, nothing can really happen on a large, on-ground scale. However, this is the time where we really revise our mentality on how nature is to be treated and how we must use but not abuse the resources provided to us by nature.
Send us your feedback at startupterminal@gmail.com
