To Battle Climate Change, India need its heroes.

I had the privilege of listening to Sonam Wangchuk, during a Press Institute of India - ICRC's award ceremony. Although the evening at the India International Centre, New Delhi was lit in anticipation of the awards, it was Mr. Wanchuk's speech, with an emotional appeal, that drew my interest and heart.

Of all his attributes, it his humility and modesty that reflected more. He never irons his

clothes, as the same amount of energy can be used to light a home, situated deep inside an Indian village. He even prefers taking a train instead of a flight, wherever possible, to reduce the carbon footprint. His sheer conviction, for me, was nothing less than being a guardian of the earth. At the function, Mr. Wangchuk, discussed his idea of dedicated "pledges"; where people swore to protect planet earth through their small actions. He further, explained that this unique idea of “voluntary pledges” was drawn on the background of decentralised planning which is indispensable to reverse the climate vulnerabilities. He seeks every individual to contribute through his actions; not money. "Your efforts will be scored as money", he says. Every step you take that saves energy, saves our climate. He believes that small acts such as using a bucket instead of a shower, keeping your air-conditioner at 25 degrees, avoiding wastage of food and saving electricity, if adopted well, have a compounded benefit which will minimise crises like of Capetown or Shimla in the future.

As days passed after the event, I waited to check if ample coverage was given to Mr.

Wangchuk. After-all it was an event flooded with Journalists attending an award ceremony with a theme of "climate-change". I thought, Mr.Wangchuk';s novel idea of "voluntary pledge" to battle climate change was definitely newsworthy. However, to my

bewilderment, not even a single newspaper or news-website whose Journalists were

present carried the story. Irony unsheathed itself, when Greta Thunberg’s theoretical

debates comprehensively pervaded through the Indian newspapers and websites, whereas, here a local resident giving practical solutions with tangible results, left completely unnoticed. The war against climate change will require building regional heroes rather than having a global centralised nucleus. Talking about India, there will be a significant proportion of the population that might not be moved by Ms. Thunberg emotional, yet passionate appeal. However, they may associate themselves with the individual that inspired the character of ‘Phunsuk Wangdu’, in the successful movie "3-Idiot" shown as an innovative spirit. It is here the Media must play its part, by being the appropriate channel to propagate the winds of change.

Mr Wangchuk has been bestowed with Magsaysay award in 2018, Asia's highest honour. He is known for his out of the box invention and is the founder of 'Student's Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL)', that has revolutionised education by adapting to the local needs. Moreover, setting an example, the campus of SECMOL is a self-sustaining green building that has a zero-carbon emission. The global community recognised Mr. Wangchuk's efforts to restore the environment after his construction of ice-stupas. These stupas or ice-glaciers, are today miraculously changing the barren cold desert of Ladakh into a greenbelt.

Another significant challenge in our society is that though, every individual appreciates

innovation and an idea of change with a round of applause, only a handful among them

incorporates these behavioural changes. This battle against the climate-change will demand more. It will seek participation from every corner of the nation. The current lifestyle will have to be adjusted towards a simpler and a more unadorned one.

At present, though, the fight against climate change has begun, it remains non-proportional to the real efforts required.

Amidst the swirling debate it is with the same attitude the 16- year-old climate activist, accused the world leaders of failing us on climate. "How dare

you!" resonated her ferocious voice in the UN halls, challenging the leaders of their modus-operandi. While it is good to have a billowing global wave, demanding ample protection and restoration of our planet earth, the decentralised projects in every country, state, district and village will be the engines for the climate restoration. And it is for this reason why the unfolding of regional heroes is a desideratum.

Cover Picture Credit : ICRC New Delhi.