Bringing Sustainable Development Home | Gaurav Shorey | TEDxBandra

Summary

The presentation explores the interconnection between humans, environment, and sustainability, highlighting India's unique cultural and climatic diversity. It critiques modern development practices, advocating for a return to traditional, nature-aligned living. Key points include the importance of local diets, dialects, dress, dwellings, and dances in achieving sustainability. The speaker emphasizes the need to cherish and learn from indigenous practices, fostering pride in India's heritage. The ultimate message is to inspire individuals to live harmoniously with nature, recognizing their role in shaping a sustainable future.

Takeaways

• 🌱 The purpose of human beings is to propagate seed, which involves defecating in nature to disperse undigested seeds.
• 🏛️ The built-up area in Indian cities will expand significantly in the coming decades, with new construction surpassing current levels.
• 📈 India's FMCG industry is projected to grow from $30 billion in 2011 to $74 billion in 2018.
• 🌍 Understanding climate zones is crucial; India has 17 out of 29 global climate zones, influencing its biodiversity and human adaptations.
• 💡 Sustainability is questioned; traditional practices and local knowledge may hold solutions rather than modern manufacturing.
• 🏡 Regional architecture in India has evolved to use local materials and climate-responsive designs, such as rainwater harvesting and natural ventilation.
• 🎵 Cultural practices, including dances, songs, and clothing, are adapted to local climates, reflecting a deep connection with the environment.
• 🗣️ Language diversity in India, with over 1,635 mother tongues, allows for a rich interaction with nature and cognitive flexibility.
• 👨‍🌾 Emphasis on learning from local communities and preserving traditional knowledge for sustainable development.
• 🇮🇳 Encouraging pride in India's heritage, local languages, and practices, rather than blindly adopting Western methods.

Q & A

What is the God's given purpose of poop according to the speaker?

The speaker humorously suggests that the purpose of poop is to propagate seeds, as the human body does not digest seeds when consuming non-genetically modified vegetables.

How does the speaker define 'swaraj' at the highest level?

At the highest level, 'swaraj' means self-resplendence, being at peace and at home with oneself, leading to a natural glow from within.

What is the expected growth of India's FMCG industry from 2011 to 2018?

India's FMCG industry is expected to grow from $30 billion in 2011 to $74 billion in 2018.

What environmental issue is highlighted with reference to Delhi's air quality?

The speaker highlights the severe air quality problem in Delhi, showing that its air quality in 2011 was far above both WHO standards and India's national ambient air quality standards.

What does the speaker imply about sustainability and current solutions like LEDs and photovoltaics?

The speaker implies that current solutions like LEDs and photovoltaics might not be the ultimate answer to sustainability and suggests that the real answer lies within and not in manufacturing.

How does the speaker use the 'tandoori chicken' analogy to explain climate zones?

The speaker uses the 'tandoori chicken' analogy to describe how the Earth, like a chicken roasting over a fire, receives varying amounts of solar energy at different latitudes, leading to different climate zones.

Why does the speaker emphasize the diversity of India's climate zones?

The speaker emphasizes India's diversity of climate zones to highlight the country's unique environmental and cultural adaptations, which include 17 out of the world's 29 broad climate zones.

What is the significance of the '5Ds' mentioned in the presentation?

The '5Ds'—Diets, Dialects, Dresses, Dwellings, and Dances—represent cultural elements that have evolved in harmony with nature and are crucial for achieving sustainability.

How do traditional Indian dwellings reflect sustainable practices?

Traditional Indian dwellings reflect sustainable practices by using local materials, being biodegradable, and responding to the local climate, such as using mud mixed with waste materials and wood in Himachal Pradesh.

What role do dialects play in sustainability according to the speaker?

Dialects allow people to interface with nature and are consistent with local physiology. Preserving local languages is essential for maintaining a deep connection with the environment and accessing different cognitive abilities.