Atanu Das , Sr. Journalist, Ex-PTI
Mumbai 31 August, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organised ‘Ideas4LiFE – Lifestyle for Environment’ – an event aiming to inspire innovative environmental solutions, at IIT Bombay, today. Organised in collaboration with the State Environment Department, Government of Maharashtra, the event sought to engage students, faculty, and researchers nationwide in generating ideas that promote an eco-friendly lifestyle. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the extension of deadline for idea submission in Ideas4LiFE from 15th September to 15th October 2024.
Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav emphasized the need for progress on both economic and ecological fronts, stating, “A developed economy should be a developed ecology too.” He further urged citizens to embrace environmental consciousness, asserting, “We should be citizens with environmental sense.”
In his address, the Union Minister outlined the government’s mission and the theme of “Ideas4LiFE,” highlighting the interconnectedness of all life forms. He emphasized that ‘life’ extends beyond human needs, advocating for the co-existence of all living beings and the environment.
The Minister stressed that a human-centric approach to development is insufficient, advocating instead for a ecologically conscious model. He pointed out the adverse effects of development, such as rising temperatures and biodiversity loss, underscoring the essential role of nature in providing food, energy, medicine, and other resources.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of preserving one-third of the Earth for biodiversity, noting that around 50,000 species are used for human consumption. He also outlined three essential actions for sustainable development: changing consumption demands, improving supply systems, and implementing effective policies.
Speaking about the achievements of India in the environment front, he highlighted that the government has accomplished its renewable energy targets nine years ahead of schedule and has introduced the Soil Health Card initiative to reduce chemical usage in agriculture.
The Minister also addressed global food waste scenario, noting that 15 billion tonnes are sent to landfills each year. He urged that our education, innovation, and technological advancements should focus on enhancing and preserving nature.
The Minister concluded by inviting ideas and suggestions from the students gathered from different colleges to contribute in preserving the nature and reducing waste which will eventually further the mission of integrating ecological balance into development strategies.
The Ideas4LiFE ideathon covers seven themes of Mission LiFE – Save Water, Save Energy, Reduce Waste, Reduce E-Waste, Say No to Single-Use Plastics, Adopt Sustainable Food Systems, and Adopt Healthy Lifestyles.
To facilitate idea submissions, a dedicated portal, ‘Ideas4Life.nic.in,’ was launched on July 29, 2024, at IIT Delhi. This portal invites participants to submit their innovations online, with winning ideas across the seven themes receiving recognition and prizes for both individuals and institutions.
The IIT Bombay event aimed to mobilize the academic community in Mumbai and beyond, encouraging participation from students and faculty of UGC, AICTE, IITs, and other educational institutions across India. UNICEF has been a key partner in the implementation of Mission LiFE, including the Ideas4LiFE initiative.
Principal Secretary, Department of Environment, Govt. of Maharashtra, Pravin Darade, spoke about the various initiatives taken by the State of Maharashtra in protecting and preserving the environment.
Director of IIT Bombay, Prof. Shireesh B. Kedare spoke about the significance of reporting carbon footprint by every individual. He encouraged students to mention their individual carbon footprints on their CVs. He also spoke about the various initiatives taken by IIT Bombay towards reducing carbon footprint in the campus.
