Agastya’s Climate Story

Growing up in Delhi, known for its bustling streets, vibrant food, and rich culture, was fascinating. Unfortunately, its notorious air pollution has been a significant challenge. The thick smog that envelops the city, especially during the winter months, has not only marred the skyline but also has also taken a toll on my health. My doctor diagnosed me with asthma, a condition exacerbated by the city’s dangerous Air Quality Index (AQI) and increasing climate change.

As suggested by the doctors, my family attempted to equip our house with air purification gadgets, including high-quality air filters in my room and car. However, despite their efforts, I found myself questioning the effectiveness of these measures. The struggle with asthma persisted, leaving me searching for more sustainable solutions. Determined to make a tangible difference, I embarked on a journey towards environmental consciousness. This journey started with some fear regarding my ability as a teenager to make a difference considering the fact that my life revolved around only school and home. As a first step, I got an internship at a consulting firm. I observed how big firms and corporations are involved in climate action. Under the consulting assignment, I was exposed to their work, which aimed to understand the measures initiated by the Government of India to counter air pollution and climate change.

My research led me to a plethora of efforts undertaken by the Government of India, ranging from identifying pollution hotspots, strict regulations of diesel cars, establishing smog towers, pollution control certificates, odd and even vehicle schemes, promotion of renewable energy schemes, and public campaigns. My focus was on understanding the role a teenager like me can play in our fight against pollution and climate change. My pursuits took me to the Government of India’s campaign of installing solar rooftops on Indian homes and promotion of solar rooftops. I observed with awe that several government buildings, including Delhi airport, Delhi metro, railway stations, and my school, have installed solar panels. The question was if it could be extended to my apartment.

Compared to the general regulatory schemes, where the focus is on governmental measures, the solar rooftop provided a platform for responsible citizens to be part of the climate change drive sustainably. My apartment has a big roof, which is usually used for drying clothes and flying kites. The challenge was, can we install solar panels on the roof but still use them for productive purposes? Fortunately, this was possible by installing solar rooftops on pillars, which leaves the rooftops to be used for productive purposes.

So, I took my first step with assistance from my parents by installing a 4.6 KW solar rooftop system at my apartment. Not only did this decision led to significant savings in electricity bills under the Government’s net metering scheme, but it also contributed to the reduction of emissions by coal plants, as solar energy replaced conventional electricity sources. I had to contact Bombay Suburban Electric Supply Limited (BSES), my area’s electricity provider, to give me the net metering connection and ensure that the solar rooftop was connected safely to the grid. To my surprise, the Government also provided almost 30% of the subsidy and payback for the plan for 4-5 years.

While the impact of one household may seem insignificant, the Government of India has been promoting the use of solar energy by providing generation-based incentives to individuals who install rooftop solar panels at home. The recent initiative by the Government of India under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli to install one crore solar rooftops across the nation by providing massive subsidies for solar panel installation on rooftops, benefiting up to one crore families across India with up to 300 units of free electricity per month instills hope for a cleaner future

This small journey to renewable energy has provided me with a sense of empowerment and a deep sense of satisfaction to contribute to the humanities fight against climate change. While there are legal and policy measures initiated by the Governments, including installing plants, buying electric vehicles, waste segregation, plastic reduction, and recycling where the common man can be integrated into the global climate change agenda, public engagements, and awareness, especially among the children regarding the dangers of climate change and its impact has been dismal. The scenario needs to be changed, with climate change becoming an integral part of the school curriculum. For instance, the climate change has not been mainstreamed into India’s school curriculum. Media and schools should champion the cause of climate change by encouraging the youths to be informed of climate change and being active agents in climate mitigation and adaptation. For this youth led platforms and child cabinets at the school level can encourage the students to debate about climate change to enhance awareness and knowledge and to increase resilience.

As I look ahead, I envision an India where every child becomes part of the spectacular journey towards having clean air, propelled by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. With each small step towards reducing my carbon footprint, I move closer to bidding farewell to asthma and embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. This is the India I want to live in—a nation where clean air and green technologies pave the way for a brighter tomorrow for its youth.