Climate change refers to a significant variation in the Earth’s weather patterns over an extended period. Short- or long-term natural processes, as well as human actions, can cause it. The primary cause of climate change is the emission of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) into the atmosphere, resulting in increased concentrations of these gasses and trapping heat that would otherwise escape from Earth.
We believe climate change to be one of the most hazardous issues that humans are going to face shortly. We are seeing its effects in the present too. So, to know more about the subject, we got connected to Ayushi Gupta. She is studying Law and doing her research on climate change. Let us speak to her about it.
Please introduce yourself to our audience.
Environmentalist Ayushi Gupta – I am Ayushi Gupta. I belong to Orai, which is a town in the middle of Jhansi-Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. I am a final-year law student and an Environmentalist, and organize climate change awareness programs in schools and colleges.
You are a law student, then how did you become an environmentalist? What piqued your interest in the climate change topic?
Environmentalist Ayushi Gupta – Well, it happened when I was in Pune. In 2017, I had moved there for higher studies and during my stay; I fell in love with this charming city and its mountains, greenery, and more particularly its weather.
Pune doesn’t experience hot summers and remains pleasant throughout the year. Now, the city is becoming hotter and deteriorating every single year at an alarming rate and I could feel it. There is an area-wise weather change because in some places it turns hot and in others, it turns cold. I left Pune in a pandemic and then, in 2021 I shifted back. That’s when I started researching. I wanted to see if it was just a figment of my imagination or an actual scientific reason. That’s how the journey of me becoming an environmentalist begun.
Can you share a brief of your research on climate change?
Environmentalist Ayushi Gupta – To be honest, the research has amazed me. It surprised me to find that what I was experiencing has a valid scientific reason. Because before this I was not aware of climate change. Let me explain it to you.
You might have noticed the changing pattern of rainfall, frequent floods raising sea-level, high-temperature, land-slides, and other disasters taking place in India. They are not natural but man-made disasters and the entire world is facing the same issue.
However, the problem lies with our mindset. Our country is among the top 10 most vulnerable countries to climate change in the world. Foreign countries and environmental experts have warned us. Still, no one is taking any firm steps to prevent it. Our future is in danger and no one is paying attention to it.
After learning and researching about climate change, what impact did it leave on your life?
Environmentalist Ayushi Gupta – I changed my lifestyle not completely, though to an extent. I’m still exploring ways to live a more sustainable and environment-friendly life. I’ve raised awareness regarding climate change in all ways because measures will be taken against climate change only if we are informed about it.
You were talking about the importance of individual responsibility. So, what as an individual are you doing to bring a positive change to the cause?
Environmentalist Ayushi Gupta – I also had some looming questions at the start about what I could do as an individual. But the condition around me and studying about it has worked as an eye-opener. I couldn’t sit silently anymore. So, I did something on my level even if it is on a small scale.
I enrolled myself in a Climate Change course. When I received enough knowledge, I concluded to educate school-going children. I have started Climate-change Awareness Program- Mission ACT in my district JALAUN in which A stands for awareness, C stands for climate change, T stands for Time to take action, which is my purpose behind launching this program.
To launch this campaign, I took permission from my city’s administration to go to school and teach students about climate change. I am thankful to authorities for trusting and supporting my cause.
What do you teach in these awareness programs?
Environmentalist Ayushi Gupta – It is around a 90-120 minutes program. I start it with a survey that includes customary details and important information about climate change. Through which I explain what climate change is, its effects, evidence, reasons with practical. So they also develop a sense of responsibility among them. At last, I ask them to take part and speak up about climate change. I tell them to share their opinions and suggestions, such as what they can do to solve this issue as it’s high time to convert this purpose into action.
You won’t believe the results of the survey. According to the survey, 80 to 90% of students have never heard about climate change and the rest are not fully aware of it. Most 95% of them believe that climate change education, along with practical techniques, should be taught to them in schools so that they can prepare themselves for their future.
Was there any specific reason to choose students for this awareness program and not elders?
Environmentalist Ayushi Gupta – I chose this category mainly for three reasons. One is because they have contributed very little and will bear the bitter fruit of it. Children are our future generation. We are educating and preparing them for earning and a better future in schools, but they are not aware of the biggest hurdle that they are going to face, which is climate change. It will bring a disaster to their lives. So we must prepare them for their future.
Second, because our education system does not cover climate change. When I was in school, I didn’t know about it. I chose them so they at least know about it. We adults will come to know about it through newspapers, media, and books, but kids won’t have any idea.
The third reason is that these children have their entire future ahead of them and climate change. They will take measured steps only if they know what to do to change the current scenario. I aim to educate as many students as possible so that future generations don’t reap our reckless actions. Through my awareness program, I have already educated over 2000 students. I hope to continue doing the same in the future.
Can you describe some instances of climate change happening in India?
Environmentalist Ayushi Gupta – You can see climate change in so many events happening around us, starting from the temperature. If you think, you realize that the average temperature around your place rises every year. Perhaps the weather in your state is also changing. You may have heard elders talking about the environment and saying it was not too hot before and winters would start after Diwali and stay till Holi when they were growing up. This change in environment and weather is because of climate change.
Then, many places experience sudden heavy rainfalls. Sometimes, India experiences disrupted precipitation cycles like floods or drought. Apart from it, the melting of Himalayan glaciers has intensified in previous years because of climate change. The melted Himalayan water is increasing the seal levels. The coastal areas are in danger of being submerged as the oceans surround South India.
Climate change not only affects the environment but also affects the health of an area. Due to weather changes, germs and infections spread rapidly. The increase in climate change calamities is decreasing our life span. The fearful fact is that it is just the beginning of the catastrophe. There is more to come as climate change will get more disastrous with time. So we need to take care of our environment if we want to live on Earth. We cannot demolish it anymore.
What are the causes of climate change?
Environmentalist Ayushi Gupta – The primary cause is greenhouse gasses such as nitrous oxide, methane, and carbon dioxide. Fossil-fuel-burning automobiles, refrigerators, and factories produce them. Fertilizers and pesticides are responsible as they increase the surface temperature of the Earth. Human activities like cutting trees for land, or any other purpose, also contribute to it. Activities that pollute our environment are also a reason for climate change.
What are the things we can do to improve our environment?
Environmentalist Ayushi Gupta – There are many things we can do to stop drastic climate change. We should start by raising awareness. People hardly know anything about climate change. Then each individual should take collective measures to reduce GHG.
We don’t value easily available things that come free of cost to us. However, we cannot play this trick on our environment and that’s why people need to pay attention to it.
Make your lifestyle environment friendly, consume products that are healthy as well as environment friendly. Ditch fuel-consuming machines and try to switch to traditional techniques followed in earlier times. If not completely, then to an extent at least.
Use jute bags instead of polythenes, homemade detergent instead of detergents with toxic chemicals. Ride on a bicycle and public transport instead of private vehicles. Switch to renewable sources of energy and minimize the use of coal energy.
Farmers can shift to organic farming. This will reduce the consumption of fertilizers used during farming, and it will be a sustainable method. Societies and colonies can make proper waste disposal systems and programs to look after nature.
Once we start, there will be many things that we can do on our level. All we need to do is to make efforts. Small steps lead to enormous achievements.
What is India’s attitude towards climate change? According to you, what can the government do for the cause?
Environmentalist Ayushi Gupta – Well, the Government is working hard and India is also leading the world in using renewable sources of energy. Now, the time has come and India must introduce climate change laws and the rest of the environmental laws. All the laws must be forced on citizens and their violators should be charged with strict punishment or fine. However, these steps won’t be enough. India needs to do more and work harder to save its future.
We must conduct climate Change Awareness Programs on a larger scale. Education is the first step to solving this issue because you can’t solve the problem until you don’t know about it and how it can harm you. Government can make people aware by posting in newspapers, televisions, and advertisements. Government can also make a similar caller tune for climate change awareness like the one used for educating about the coronavirus. It will cover the masses and serve the purpose of awareness about the issue within a month.
What is your message for our readers?
Environmentalist Ayushi Gupta – We don’t give respect to the environment as much as it deserves. Our ancestors used to worship nature and protect it. It was recognized as their Dharma in Vedas. Now, Earth has reached its limits and we can see it as frequent earthquakes, floods, droughts, and the corona pandemic. There is not much left to waste. It is high time we take steps to protect our Earth. Otherwise, bizarre consequences are just a step away.
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