A young voice for our planet | Licypriya Kangujam | TEDxMirandaHouse

Summary

In this inspiring speech, a young climate activist shares her transformative journey of fighting climate change. Born in Manipur and raised in Odisha, she witnessed devastating cyclones that fueled her passion for environmental justice. Through her organization, 'Child Movement,' she advocates for climate change laws, climate education in schools, and initiatives like planting trees and transitioning to renewable energy. Recognized globally for her efforts, including the 'Plastic Money Shop' project, she stresses that every child has the right to clean air and water. She urges global change, emphasizing that true freedom comes from protecting our environment and future generations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is a young climate activist from Manipur, India, who has been actively advocating for climate justice for over 8 years.
• 🌱 The speaker's journey as an activist began after witnessing the devastating impacts of Cyclone Titli (2018) and Cyclone Fani (2019) in Odisha, which deeply affected their life.
• 🌍 The speaker draws inspiration from Kani Sikaka, an activist who fought to protect her forest and village from mining and other environmental threats.
• 🔥 The speaker has personally experienced extreme weather events, including intense heatwaves and high air pollution, especially after moving to Delhi in 2019.
• 🌳 One of the speaker's key demands is to pass a climate change law to control carbon emissions and greenhouse gases, which they believe will help mitigate the climate crisis.
• 📚 The speaker advocates for climate education to be included as a mandatory subject in school curricula to raise awareness and promote action from a young age.
• 🌳 The speaker's third demand is for every student in India to plant at least 10 trees annually. With over 350 million students in India, this could result in planting 3.5 billion trees every year.
• ⚡ The speaker calls for governments to transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy sources to combat the global climate crisis and ensure a sustainable future.
• 💰 The speaker emphasizes the need for rich nations to fund the loss and damage caused by climate change in the global south through climate finance or loss-and-damage funds.
• 🌿 The speaker’s initiative, ‘Monday for Mother Nature,’ encourages planting trees every Monday, with a goal to plant 1 million trees annually. The speaker has already planted over 350,000 trees in India.
• 🌍 The speaker's efforts have been recognized globally, including awards such as the International Eco Hero Award, and they have spoken at over 400 institutions across 40 countries.
• 💪 The speaker stresses the importance of changing behavior as the first step toward saving the planet, starting with individuals and expanding to families, communities, and nations.

Q & A

What motivated the speaker to become a climate activist?

The speaker was inspired to become a climate activist after experiencing the devastation caused by Cyclone Titli in 2018 and Cyclone Fani in 2019. Witnessing the destruction, loss of life, and displacement of people deeply affected them and led them to take action.

Who is Kani Sikaka and how did she influence the speaker?

Kani Sikaka is an environmental activist from Odisha who fought to protect her forest, village, and mountains from mining. Her courage and determination inspired the speaker to become an activist as well, despite the challenges she faced at a young age.

What are the five main demands of the speaker for addressing climate change?

The five main demands are: (1) To pass a climate change law in the parliament, (2) To include climate education as a mandatory subject in school curriculums, (3) To encourage students to plant at least 10 trees every year, (4) To transition away from fossil fuels and adopt renewable energy, (5) For rich nations to pay climate finance to the global south.

How does the speaker propose to reduce carbon emissions?

The speaker suggests passing a climate change law to regulate carbon emissions and greenhouse gases, as well as transitioning to renewable energy sources to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

What initiative did the speaker start to encourage tree planting in India?

The speaker started the 'Monday for Mother Nature' initiative, where schoolchildren and activists plant trees every week, with the goal of planting 1 million trees each year.

What role does climate education play in the speaker's vision for the future?

Climate education is crucial for raising awareness and empowering the next generation to tackle climate change. The speaker advocates for including climate education in school curriculums to help children understand the issues from a young age.

What impact did the speaker's action at the Taj Mahal have on plastic pollution?

The speaker raised awareness about plastic pollution at the Taj Mahal by displaying a poster. As a result, the authorities cleaned the area within 24 hours and imposed a fine. Additionally, single-use plastic was banned around the Taj Mahal.

What is the 'Plastic Money Shop' and how does it work?

The 'Plastic Money Shop' is a project where people can exchange single-use plastic waste for items like rice, stationery, or plant saplings. The collected plastic waste is then upcycled into useful items like road tiles and benches, contributing to reducing plastic pollution.

What recognition did the speaker receive for their efforts in fighting plastic pollution?

The speaker received the International Eco Hero Award and the USA Anthem Award for their efforts in combating plastic pollution, particularly through the 'Plastic Money Shop' initiative.

How did the speaker's journey as a climate activist start, and what impact has it had?

The speaker's journey began at the age of 6 when they attended the United Nations Disaster Conference in Mongolia. Since then, they have spoken at over 400 institutions across 40 countries, gaining global support and raising awareness about climate change.