Experts from various sectors agreed that it is urgent to increase the use of renewable energy and work individually and collectively towards achieving carbon neutrality for sustenance and survival.
The engaging discussion was part of a webinar hosted by the Green Energy Forum, the World Malayalee Council, and Indian Rare Earth, Chavara, as part of their ongoing efforts to conserve nature and protect the planet.
The theme for the discussion was Treble Up with Renewables and Be Carbon Neutral Fast.
The program featured eminent speakers committed to environment conservation such as Prof. VK Damodaran, President, Green Energy Forum; Dr. PM Nair, President, World Malayalee Council India Region; NS Ajith, Chief General Manager, Indian Rare Earths, Chavara; Er. Sarto Rajendran, Managing Trustee, The Guardian Foundation Chennai; Dr. C Jayaraman, MD, Equinoct, Kochi; Dr. TR Vinod, Program Director, Climate Change Studies, Centre for Environment and Development Thiruvananthapuram; Prof. POJ Lebba, Vice Chair, GEF; and Dr. S Ratnakumaran, General Secretary, GEF, along with Ms. Sonal Desai, Managing Editor, ESGnews.earth.
The experts discussed strategies for accelerating India’s renewable energy transition and achieving carbon neutrality. Each speaker emphasized reducing carbon emissions to mitigate climate change and its impacts. The forum included pledge sessions and a green energy colloquium.
In his opening remarks, Dr Ratnakumaran, General Secretary, GEF and Vice Chair, World Malayalee Council (WMC), India Region, said that under GEF’s Green Energy Student Movement, students in schools and colleges are encouraged to develop innovative solutions to environmental problems in their respective districts.
Professor VK Damodaran, President of the Green Energy Forum, kicked off the Pledge session with a brief introduction about the Green Energy Forum. The Forum is a philanthropic, non-profit organization that collaborates with students, local self-governments, and the public, focusing specifically on green energy and carbon neutrality. The goal is to create a sustainable and resilient planet for future generations by reducing carbon emissions and promoting a fast and fair transition to renewable energy. Students and the public are trained in conducting green audits of their areas and institutions. They aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 in Kerala and 2070 in India, through collaboration with local governments, panchayats, municipalities, and corporations to adopt a carbon-neutral approach in development activities.
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Dr. PM Nair, IPS, Retired DGP (NDRF) and President of the World Malayalee Council, India Region, detailed his over 35 years of experience in disaster management and emphasized the importance of empowering local people, particularly the youth and panchayat. He suggested establishing national and district disaster management authorities and empowering them to make decisions to prevent natural disasters or take action in response to one.
Mr. NS Ajith from IREL India Limited emphasized the importance of balancing industrial growth with respect for nature and the well-being of future generations. He stressed the need for collective action to protect the environment and highlighted the role of individual efforts in safeguarding the planet.
The keynote of the Colloquium delivered by Prof. VK Damodaran effectively highlighted the overexploitation of natural resources and the unsustainable use of the planet’s land to meet human needs, such as protein and calories. He said that it is necessary to maintain the rich biodiversity that is essential for resilience against threats like climate change and the impact of human activities on all living beings. As the contribution of harmful emissions from current energy sources is gigantic, the keynote highlighted this year’s Earth Day theme of looking at each one of our contributions to triple up with renewables or green energy.
Sonal Desai, discussed the importance of global renewable energy adoption, the significance of policy and regulation, and highlighted vast green job opportunities and the factors driving this in India. She said that sustainable energy sources, including new technologies like honeycomb structures for wind turbines and floating solar panels supported by wind, could pave the way forward.
Dr. C Jayaraman, Managing Director of Equinoct, highlighted the importance of understanding and working with communities to address climate change. He spoke about the impact of inundation on coastal communities, particularly their daily life, children’s education, etc., due to tidal and monsoon flooding. He cited an example from their project that creates livelihood opportunities for coastal women entrepreneurs by addressing energy efficiency, enterprise building, and education and training. The project includes solar-based deep freezers, solar dryers, and electric vehicles for transportation, aiming to reduce carbon footprints and promote greener products. Students and the community are live partners in it.
Dr. TR Vinod, Program Director for Climate Change Studies, Environmental Science, and Waste Management at the Center for Environment and Development, discussed Kerala’s climate crisis and the urgent action needed for it. He highlighted the importance of renewable energy in Kerala, as 79% of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions come from energy or related sectors. Waste management is a vital issue in Kerala, with food waste accounting for 30% of waste generation.
Er. Sarto Rajendran, Correspondent & Managing Trustee, The Guardian Foundation, Chennai, discussed solid waste management in municipalities and cities, focusing on segregation, processing, composting, and RDF management. He also highlighted the importance of Earth Day in schools, involving young minds, increasing green cover through afforestation, and promoting sustainable care of natural resources. He assured that the schools under the Guardian Foundation will practice the teachings.
