Asians for the longest time have believed in green living, recycling, sharing and sustainable living methods. Almost every Asian household has that one big bag that has several bags in it so that one can cut down on the use and purchase of plastic when there’s already enough to use and reuse at home.
People are opting out of cutlery during food deliveries. Many generations have nurtured kitchen gardens, preferred eco-friendly bikes and walked over driving in a car for a short distance. Embracing small homeowner businesses over factory manufactured daily goods has also been a characteristic trait of Asians.
However, the UK is calling for urgent global action in response to the latest report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This has happened right after the UN report that came out in early August leaving the world alarmed with the fact that we could reach 1.5 degrees warming in the next decades without immediate action. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and COP26 President Alok Sharma, have called for urgent steps to cut global emissions.
During G7 The Prince of Wales told the leaders, "The fight against this terrible pandemic provides if ever one was needed, a crystal clear example of the scale and the sheer speed at which the global community can tackle crises when we combine political will with business ingenuity and public mobilization. Ladies and gentlemen, we are doing it for the pandemic, so if you don't mind me saying so, we must also do it for the planet." In his latest article in the Daily Mail, Prince Charles writes, “Our planet is in crisis and, no matter where you are, no country is immune.”
Asian Voice spoke to members of the Asian community in the UK as well as experts on climate change to comment on the ongoing climate crisis and what can be done to move towards a sustainable future with better environmental techniques.
New climate change reports a wake-up call
Soon after the news broke, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “The UK is leading the way in decarbonising our economy faster than any country over the last two decades. I hope that today's IPCC report will be a wake-up call for the world to take action now before we meet in Glasgow in November for the critical COP26.”
In response to the report, Alok Sharma said, “We can do this together by coming forward with ambitious 2030 emission reduction targets and long-term strategies with a pathway to net-zero by the middle of the century and taking action. Now, to end coal power, accelerate the role of the rollout of electric vehicles, tackle deforestation and reduce methane emissions.”
In a recent visit to India last week COP26 President Alok Sharma held a meeting with India's energy minister for discussions of over $100 billion Green Climate Fund. He also expressed the willingness of the UK to collaborate with India on its ambitious Green Hydrogen Project.
Further trying to involve India in cementing the UK-India partnership, on his three-day visit to India. Mr Sharma met climate action ministers, industry leaders and representatives of civil society organisations, ahead of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Scotland, Glasgow from 31 October.
Subhash V Thakrar, Vice President and Past Chairman, London Chamber of Commerce told Asian Voice, "I believe there is now a new momentum developing on climate change and Cop26 in Glasgow in November, which is headed by Alok Sharma, will bring even more impetus. The behaviour of Asian households is no different from indigenous households in that they are all slowly adopting new methods. The biggest success was reducing the consumption of plastic bags. More and more people are buying electric cars and installing solar panels. But in all these changes, you need leadership and direction from the government. Prior to seat belts becoming mandatory, not many drivers and passengers bothered to have them on but after the law, they all do and are used to this new behaviour. The same is happening with climate control."
How is the community contributing towards a sustainable future?
Speaking to Asian Voice, Colour Expert, Momtaz Begum-Hossain said, “I’ve been conscious of environmental issues from childhood but it’s in adulthood after seeing frightening changes to the earth that have made me step up my commitment to ‘saving the planet.’ I’m involved with the ‘Canary Craftivists’ project as a way of doing some good. Craftivism is a form of gentle protest where you make handmade crafts with a message.
“Ahead of the COP26 the United Nations Climate Change Conference in November, the idea is to make a canary and send it to your MP this September with a note to say that you care about global warming, and you would like them to lobby the Prime Minister to take the issue seriously to speed up and stop climate change. Sending an MP a handmade gift is powerful because it will stand out and get noticed.
“The campaign is centred around canaries because these bright yellow birds used to accompany coalminers into the mines and would give the miners warning signs when the air became too toxic. The Craftivist Collective website has free craft patterns you can use to make a canary and advice on how to word your accompanying letter to your MP. If you’re a creative person and have never done any climate change protest before this is a great way to start.”
Indian households have been practising sustainable living for generations
Shweta Bahri, Co-Founder at Earth Warriors Global - Sustainability & Education Policy Expert is also the founder of No More Waste which is a platform to promote sustainable solutions for individuals and businesses in India.
Shweta commented, "Indian households have been practising sustainable living for generations. In most Indian households glass jars are never thrown out and wrapping papers and plastic packets are carefully kept away for reuse. Before plastic became commonplace terracotta cups, steel plates and banana leaves were the norms in India. Most Indian families in urban India are now being encouraged to adopt some of these old practices".
"Many Indian children learn sustainable practices from their grandparents in multi-generational households and, just like the UK, India has a large youth for the climate movement, however, India doesn’t have climate education as part of its national curriculum, something many activists are advocating for. Partnerships are key for successful climate action so it would be ideal for India and the UK to actively engage youth audiences, jointly advocate for climate education & partner on zero-carbon initiatives to combat climate change as a global issue".
More people embracing a meat-free lifestyle
Sharing his opinion on the climate crisis and sustainable living, Dr Mehool Sanghrajka MBE - Managing Trustee of the Institute of Jainology, told us, “What the last year has taught us is that poor treatment of animals, destruction of their natural habitat, and poverty (which leads to demand for ever cheaper food), have dire consequences. It also shows us that all life is interdependent (a long-held Jain tenet), and our actions have long-term consequences. Over the longer term, this ‘reset’ of our consumer lifestyles will mean more people embracing a meat-free lifestyle, more awareness of our environment and a need to educate and alleviate people from poverty. It’s a lesson we need to learn and a blessing that we may be able to do this before it is too late.”
If we fail to act now, we will fail our current and future generations
Daisy Narayanan, Member of Scotland’s Climate Assembly Evidence Group told the newsweekly, “We know that tackling the climate crisis will take an immense collective effort, requiring a systemic change to build a fair and sustainable future for all. However, community and individual action can be both empowering and impactful in making a difference to the environment and help build resilience to climate impacts. As part of Scotland’s Climate Assembly, people from across Scotland came together to lay the foundations of a strategic vision and urge governments – local and national – to commit to a plan of action for Scotland to deliver on its climate change commitments. As the Assembly members statement of ambition made clear, climate change requires immediate action at all levels of society. If we fail to act now, we will fail our current and future generations, in Scotland and across the world.”
Reincarnation Programme
Addressing a rather serious environmental concern, Founder of House of Bilimoria, Shilpa Bilimoria-Cherry said, "It’s no secret that the textiles & fashion industry is one of the leaders in contributing to the climate crisis. Every stage of the process of production, from fibre to end of life, is contributing to the speed we are seeing our planet and its resources deteriorate. House of Bilimoria’s mission revolves around creating awareness, consciousness and connection for the consumers and the products that they choose to clothe themselves in. With our circular design policies, our pieces are made from second hand, vintage, and heirloom textiles, not limited to, but namely sarees. Seeing first-hand how many of these beautiful textiles are often worn once. Then hidden in wardrobes until eventually heading to landfill too. We build relationships and connections with textiles. Aiming to have people understand that buying less, wearing more, and being conscious about what happens to the items once they are done with them will start to create the ripple effect that is needed, now more than ever. Alongside this mission, we implement our ‘Reincarnation Programme’ whereby items purchased can be returned at end of use, for a 30% voucher towards the customer's next purchase. That item will be luxury upcycled or recycled responsibly by ourselves.”
Hybrid cars and recycling at home
At a household level, Sharmee Mavadia, Director Sharp PR is doing her bit and also raising her daughter with the right information and approach towards sustainable living. She said, “As a family of four, we try to recycle and reuse as much as possible. My daughter is concerned about the environment so is keen to ensure we recycle where we can. We also have a hybrid car that helps us minimise journeys and we do try to walk if possible. In addition, I have put some money into Clim8 Invest - an easy-to-use app for people looking to make a positive impact with their investments.”
