Even as large corporations struggle with fulfilling their environmental commitments,
governments across the world fail to act seriously on reducing their emissions and
individuals continue to think of climate change as a possibility in the distant future, the climate crisis is unfolding before our eyes. Rising temperatures, melting ice sheets, floods, wildfires, crop failures, extreme weather events, and the air pollution health crisis, all are reminders that the time for action to save our planet and, indeed, ourselves is upon us.
Now, all this sounds alarming but you don’t need to have a climate meltdown yet. There is hope, especially when nations, world leaders, scientists, policymakers, environmentalists, and activists decide to cooperate and come together. And individuals like us decide to act.
All The COP Talk!
If you have been reading about COP27 a lot lately it’s because nations across the world acknowledge the urgency of the situation, and have decided to act. The Conference of the Parties or COP is the supreme body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), made up of representatives from each country that signed The Paris Agreement.
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted by 196 Parties at COP21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015. Its goal was to limit global warming to below 2, preferably to 1.5 o Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.
Source: Business Standard
Well, global temperatures have since then already risen to 1.1 o Celsius.
Faced with this growing crisis and increasing extreme weather events, COP27 reconvened in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt this year for its 27th session, to seek renewed solidarity between countries, to deliver on the landmark Paris Agreement, and to talk about the progress and future plans (called the Nationally Determined Contribution or NDC which country signatories to the UN climate change convention need to submit every five years).
Source: World Economic Forum
COP27 And India
So where do we stand in the global scenario? India’s updated NDC includes adopting an environment-friendly lifestyle as a key way to combat climate change. Recognising that lifestyle has a big role in it, India presented LiFE-Lifestyle for the Environment, as the theme of the country’s pavilion at the Conference. LiFE is nothing but, according to the government statement, ‘a healthy and sustainable way of living based on traditions and values of conservation and moderation, including through a mass movement.
Source: BBC
The campaign called In Our LiFEtime aims to encourage youth between the age of 18 to 23 years to become message-bearers of sustainable and circular lifestyles. A circular lifestyle means adopting a lifestyle that translates to reusing, recycling, lending or borrowing or sharing.
With our carbon emissions growing every year, air quality worsening across North India, the fragile Himalayan region degrading, unseasonal heavy rains and floods, droughts and crop failures, India is one of the countries that is most vulnerable to the ravages of climate change with our poorest populations facing the heaviest brunt of it. With these challenges, there is a lot more that governments, institutions, and corporations must commit to, and deliver on, to meet the emission targets and make the transition to a more sustainable and equitable future.
But the focus on sustainable lifestyle is a great starting point for individuals like us to share some of the onus of making the shift. Every incremental behavioral and lifestyle change by people in what and how they consume can help move the needle!
India has no choice but to act at every level – government, businesses and individuals!
COP27 And Us
The future is circular and it is here!
While it is true that on per capita basis, India’s emissions are nowhere close to those of the developed world, this does not consider the wide inequalities and disparities within India. The ever-rising consumption by the rich consuming classes means a constant rise in the environmental threats. If this population were to decide to take one step towards a circular economy by adopting more sustainable lifestyle practices, what a big leap it would be!
This does not mean that we turn vegan overnight or quit travelling by air altogether. But what we do need to do is find alternatives to mindless consumption, one of the key reasons for the increased greenhouse gas emissions. Because sustainable living is about being conscious of our day-to-day life choices and finding alternatives that are beneficial for the planet, for a healthy and safe future.
Because sustainable living is about being conscious of our day-to-day life choices and finding alternatives that are beneficial for the planet, for a healthy and safe future.
Source: UN.ORG
So how can you and I embrace a sustainable lifestyle?
- Traveling Sustainably
Talking of sustainable travel when the COP27 delegates arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh in 400 jet private jets sounds contradictory! But the fact remains that Tourism accounts for 8% of global emissions. This does not mean that we give up travelling. But what we can do is become aware of tourism’s impact on nature and people.
The idea is to travel mindfully, using public transport over individual vehicles wherever possible and keeping in mind the local biodiversity and local communities. Allow our story to guide you to travel sustainably and to help you navigate around the hurdles, mental or physical, you might potentially face during this transition.
Source: Ecobnb
- Making Food Matter
Did you know that every year India generates about 500 million tonnes of farm waste, and Indian households waste 50kg of food per capita? Around 1% of our GDP is depleted in the form of food wastage. Food waste is a major problem with huge financial and environmental repercussions. So, as a start, cook only what you will eat and do not throw away your leftovers. Look up the local chapter of good folks like Robin Hood Army who collect leftover and surplus food and share it with the lesser fortunate.
There are several other steps you can consider taking. Experiment with vegan lifestyle. Or simply add more vegetables and fruits in your diet and consider cutting down on your meat consumption.
And do not get carried away by those expensive imported avocados, mushrooms and truffles! These travel many food miles i.e. the distance food travels and the resultant carbon footprint it accumulates. According to a study, transporting food across and between countries generates almost one-fifth of greenhouse gas emissions from the food sector. Shop at your local farmer’s market and buy seasonal produce. Eating locally grown foods that are in season can significantly reduce one’s carbon footprint.
- Being Fashionably Sustainable
The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. To lessen this industry’s impact on the planet, follow the mantra of Buy Less, Wear Longer.
We have a treasure trove of resources here to get you started on this journey –
- Extend the lifecycle of clothing and accessories by buying from thrift shops.
- Look up the fashion rental options and save yourself space, money and guilt while indulging the fashionista in you!
- Support slow-fashion brands that are ethical and eco-aware and, as an added bonus, stylish and well-designed.
- Learn about the new developments in sustainable fabrics and choose your fashion from the brands that work with these.
- Embrace the many new fashion innovations designed to cut down waste and consumption.
- Introduce your kids to sustainable clothing and involve them in your journey.
The journey into the world of sustainable lifestyle, once started, is not only exciting and filled with new discoveries but rewarding and fulfilling.
The Not-So-Green Elephant In The Room
With over 40,000 people across NGOs, the biggest businesses across the world, political powers and others from civil society flying to Egypt to talk about plans to reduce the contribution of fossil fuels to greenhouse gas emissions, with Coca Cola being the lead event sponsor, and with human rights excesses by the host country dominating some of the discourse, COP27 has not been above criticism. Yet, with the increasing inequalities in the world and enormous disparities in energy use and emissions, international solidarity is the only way forward. The world needs a platform to recognize that the global carbon budget is shrinking rapidly, and the remaining budget must be shared equitably, and COP27 was exactly that.
As we wait and watch the outcome of the conference, there are some early signs that the world recognises the imperatives of credible and accountable pledges and commitments. One such encouraging report by UN released during the conference clearly calls out the greenwashing by many industries and institutions, and warns of its repercussions.
Greenwashing has been an important, recurring theme in recent times. We have touched upon it earlier and will be back with more soon.
Source: Twitter
‘Actions, Not Just Words.’
The Egyptian Presidency of COP27 has rightfully named COP27 as the COP of ‘implementation’, especially considering the widening gap between the statements by developed countries at COP26 and the reality of their actions. Any headway in climate action towards a more just, equitable and sustainable future ultimately depends on climate financing by wealthy nations, and by governments and policymakers driving significant changes.
Yet collective action is the key. Not all of us can make policies but each one of us has a voice that can influence policy. And each one us has the power to make better choices every single day. From our food to fashion choices, housing to hospitality, and energy to water consumption, by making conscious decisions on how we live, we can become a part of the solution.
