Forum No.33

1st June 2024

COLLABORATION | BLOOMS

Forum032

ENERGY EXPERT | THOUGHT LEADER

Narendra Taneja

ECOLOGICAL ECONOMIST | AUTHOR

Aseem Shrivastava

FOUNDER | NIITI CONSULTING

Meena Vaidyanathan

SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIST | CO-FOUNDER | COGNITO

Harsh Purohit

ENERGY EXPERT | THOUGHT LEADER

Narendra Taneja

“Wisdom is not just the prerogative of rich countries. There are only 1.4 billion of them. In the global south – where we are 6.7 billion strong – we have our own traditions, wisdom, and experience when it comes to global issues like climate, energy, and the environment.Those of us in the global south need to develop our own ideas and assert ourselves.”

Narendra Taneja discusses the global dynamics of energy and climate, addressing the Western narratives that dominate the discourse, for example, linking climate change solely to fossil fuels. He critiques what he terms "climate authoritarianism," referring to Western dominance in global institutions such as the UN Security Council, which perpetuates unequal power dynamics in decisions regarding technologies like nuclear power.

Looking ahead, he sees the emergence of a multipolar world challenging historical hegemonies, where technological advancements and independent national strategies drive a more equitable global energy and climate agenda.

ECOLOGICAL ECONOMIST | AUTHOR

Aseem Shrivastava

"Whenever people agree with me, I always feel I must be wrong," Aseem Shrivastava quotes Oscar Wilde, setting the tone for his riveting critique of modern sustainability practices.

He reflects on his experiences in South Korea from over a decade ago, highlighting unexpected trends such as the disappearance of kitchens from homes due to high living costs, the widespread fascination with "Mukbang" videos where people find comfort and entertainment watching others eat, and the growing inclination towards international cuisines over locally sourced foods. Aseem argues that these phenomena exemplify the commercialisation of basic human activities and the commodification of natural resources, ultimately leading to the devaluation of the concept of "home."

Central to his discourse is the idea of "ecosophy," or the wisdom of the earth, coined by philosopher Raimon Panikkar. Have we truly mastered the art of living sustainably on our own planet? Aseem remarks that true sustainability ensures the well-being of the present without compromising the future – the solution is rooted in renewal and reciprocity.

FOUNDER | NIITI CONSULTING

Meena Vaidyanathan

What are the economic costs of being unsustainable? Meena Vaidyanathan gives us plenty to think about, challenging our current sustainability practices.

While companies set aside budgets for sustainability, central to the problem is the superficial 'for show' approach, such as printing T-shirts or hosting marathons for Environment Day. Vaidyanathan is committed to overcoming skepticism around climate change and energy conservation by creating strategic interventions and economic incentives that encourage companies to implement sustainable solutions beyond commonplace CSR.

Drawing from real-world examples, Meena sheds light on the immediate and tangible costs of unsustainability, including the significant productivity loss caused by India's recent heatwave. Businesses are also not immune to this; they face challenges due to poor environmental practices and governance.

While large businesses are mandated to follow these standards and sustainability norms, do we expect the same from micro-businesses? Do we hold that small corner store up to the same standard?

Vaidyanathan emphasises that to drive real change, we must incentivise small businesses by highlighting the benefits they gain from implementing sustainability practices.

Her organisation, Niiti Consulting, is committed to sustainable practices while remaining profitable.

"We wanted to prove that we can do social good and be profitable simultaneously. The difference is that while we aim to be profitable, our profit also means adding value, whether it's helping work at scale or creating systemic social impact through sustainable tools."

SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIST | CO-FOUNDER | COGNITO

Harsh Purohit

Harsh Purohit's talk on sustainability, titled "Sustainability: Myths, Mishaps, and Must-Knows," was both provocative and enlightening, challenging our presumptions about this phenomenon. He emphasised that sustainability isn't merely about choosing between materials like plastic and organic cotton; it involves understanding their entire lifecycle and the energy implications involved.

Purohit critiqued the branding mishap surrounding sustainability, noting how different perspectives—from environmentalists to the general public—often lead to semantic confusion. He also discussed the ecological impacts of urbanisation, criticising current urban design for its ecological dysfunction.

He pointed out the significant responsibility of designers in shaping the world today, tracing issues back to early 20th-century pioneers who neglected scalability, resulting in inefficient emission systems and aerodynamic designs. Purohit left us with the thought that "if designers are at fault then “Designers can save us” by demystifying the situation and crafting strong narratives.

 

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