Page 49 - Mann Ki Baat, October 2022

global mass movement to protect
and preserve the environment “Hon’ble Prime Minister
and combat climate crisis. The emphasized on Bio-Village
mantra is “mindful and deliberate activities and its achievements
utilization, instead of mindless in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ programme.
and destructive consumption”. This will further encourage and
Mission LiFE believes that even inspire our team to work on it for
small efforts can have a huge its substantial and sustainable
impact. An example of this is the development.”
UJALA scheme which encouraged
-Anjan Sengupta,
citizens to increase usage of LED
Senior Scientific Officer of
bulbs. This led to the installation
Department of Biotechnology,
of more than 160 crore LED bulbs When estimated against a business-as-usual scenario by 1 billion Indians in 2022-23 to
Government of Tripura
across the country and today, 2027-28, the impact of LiFE actions can be significant, as demonstrated
India is cutting down emissions democratic in which everyone below with select examples.
by 40 million tonnes annually as can contribute according to his/
a result of this small shift. her capacity. It intends to nudge in homes for cooling. Habits like collective action and individual-
‘प्रकति: रक्षति रक्क्षिा’, that is, individuals to undertake simple these, if translated in today’s time, led programmes to address
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those who protect nature are acts in their daily lives that can can benefit us immensely. Take climate change. India has rich
protected by nature. Mission contribute significantly to climate the example of Suresh Kumar of experience in implementing
LiFE aims to nudge individuals change when embraced across Karnataka who, for the last 20 large-scale behavioural change
and communities to practice a the world. years, has been passionately programmes such as Swachh
lifestyle that is synchronous with And a lot can be done by involved in rejuvenating a forest Sagar Surakshit Sagar, Swachh
nature and does not harm it. The making certain environmentally of Sahakarnagar; or the tribal Bharat Mission, Catch the Rain
idea behind Mission LiFE is to make conscious choices. For instance, women in Anaikatti, Coimbatore, campaign, and Ujjwala Scheme.
the fight against climate change taking the stairs instead of an who are crafting terracotta tea India’s experience will be
cups, or the villagers of Tripura valuable to the world as it
elevator wherever possible,
who have transformed their translates its climate pledges
switching off appliances from
villages into ‘Bio-Villages’ and into actions and undertakes
plug points when not in use,
minimized their dependency on energy transitions towards a
carrying your own water bottle,
non-renewable resources — all more sustainable energy future.
preferring locally available and
these stories shared by the Prime Climate change is the defining
seasonal foods, and setting
Minister in his recent ‘Mann ki crisis of our time and no corner
printer default to double-side
Baat’ can inspire us to contribute of the globe is immune from its
printing. In fact, the Mission LiFE
in our own ways to protect the devastating consequences. As
document gives a list of 75 ways
environment. the infinite cost of climate change
in which we can contribute and
By developing innovative, reaches irreversible highs, it is
become ‘pro-planet people’.
individual-centric nudge time for us to redefine what we
This is not something new
mechanisms, which revolve mean by progress and come
for India. For centuries, Indian
around our existing social norms, together and save our home, the
civilizations have practised
and by leveraging technology, the Planet Earth.
and led sustainable lifestyles.
climate change movement can
Eco-friendly habits and circular
receive a global impetus through
economy are coded in our culture,
Mission LiFE. This is not the first time To know about the efforts
be it using biodegradable utensils
India has demonstrated success being made for environmental
made of leaves/clay, using jute
in harnessing the power of protection, scan the QR code
bags, or installing ‘khus’ blinds
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