TedxNapier Bridge Countdown 2023 took place at the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai. (TEDxNapier Bridge)
Just a few weeks after the Tamil Nadu government unveiled Chennai’s ambitious Climate Action Plan, a resounding commitment to environmental stewardship echoed once again.
On Sunday, 27 August, the Anna Centenary Library underwent a remarkable transformation, becoming a hub of vibrant enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity.
The occasion was TEDx Napier Bridge Countdown 2023, a people-driven initiative that brought together a diverse assembly of passionate individuals and eight change-makers from various disciplines.
Each speaker wove their narrative into the overarching theme of humanity’s role in restoring Earth’s balance.
In the sunlit atrium teeming with eager students and spirited youth, palpable curiosity flourished.
Amid this vibrant setting, start-ups like The Future Wall, Earth Fokus, Akshayakalpa and more displayed their impactful contributions to sustainability.
Carefully crafted art installations, made from recycled materials, adorned the space, celebrating the creativity inherent in conservation.
Interactive experience zones invited attendees to immerse themselves in the tactile world of recycled creation, exemplifying the conference’s hands-on approach to learning.
As anticipation reached its zenith, the opening crescendo was guided by Aazhi Kalaikuviyam, a performance collective specialising in parai and silambam. Another distinct narrative unfolded through Burrito Bowl Productions, a dynamic theatre collective, as they ingeniously merged a time-travel act with the theme of the climate crisis.
Parai performance by Aazhi Kalaikuviyam. (Vaishali Vijaykumar/South First)
Both performances seamlessly blended creativity with intent, shedding light on the pressing nature of environmental issues through artistic lenses.
This set the stage for a series of empowering talks, each unlocking a gateway for the audience into the narratives of the climate revolution.
“It’s a struggle not only for climate justice but for the very core of social justice,” shared K Saravanan, a fisherman and climate rights activist, as he delved into the intricacies of Chennai’s coastal life.
While fishermen hold a strong belief in their connection to the sea and seashore, deeper engagement reveals a different truth.
Customary and traditional rights anchor fishers to these spaces, yet the absence of formal documentation leaves them vulnerable to alternative appropriation.
K Saravanan, a fisherman and climate rights activist. (TedxNapier Bridge)
This reality became evident during plans to displace 15 fishing villages for a project called Elevated Expressway several years ago.
“Project documents depicted these territories as vacant, despite them being the lifeblood of fishing communities. The Coastal Regulation Zone notification, while mandating precise maps, often reduced fishing villages to mere dots, igniting a struggle for recognition,” he explained.
Inspired by Geographic Information System (GIS) specialist Siddharth Hande, Saravanan and his team utilised mapping tools through the Coastal Resource Centre to change the course of events.
Their meticulous mapping, encompassing villages, infrastructure, and river use, was incorporated into the government’s coastal zone management plan, marking a historic leap where villages gained official acknowledgement.
“These grassroots mapping tools serve as guardians of livelihoods and environments,” he said.
In the heart of the city, an urban heat island casts a stifling shadow — a stark reminder that our concrete landscapes have distanced themselves from a healthy ecosystem’s embrace.
“With every sapling plunged into the earth, a potent blend of empowerment and purpose takes root,” highlighted Shobha Menon, Founder of Nizhal.
Shobha Menon, Founder of Nizhal. (TedxNapier Bridge)
Urban heat islands occur when cities experience significantly warmer temperatures than nearby rural areas.
In Chennai, the dearth of green spaces is such that a single tree offers refuge to only 33 individuals, lagging behind other metropolises’ verdant veils.
In this reckoning, the community and its stakeholders share a responsibility.
“The government must exercise unwavering vigil, conduct surveys, oversee at the district level, and protect green committees, while swift rescue missions for ailing trees become imperative,” she emphasised.
Beyond enhancing the city’s green cover, planting initiatives have a profound impact on various institutions.
The Institute of Mental Health fosters well-being through this endeavour, while Puzhal’s inmates cultivate life organically, and schools embrace these efforts, nurturing both plants and prospects.
Emerging after a two-year hiatus, fashion designer Ashwin Thiyagarajan unveiled an upcycled Benarasi masterpiece worn by celebrities like Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Taapsee Pannu. This revelation echoed his bold creations.
“Each piece of sustainable attire becomes a narrative to be worn,” he explained, focusing on the value of conscious fashion.
Ashwin’s conscious clothing line bridges haute couture and environmental reverence. (TedxNapier Bridge)
In dialogue with Reethu Pramasivam, the design manager at Go Colors, Thiyagarajan explored the potential of traditional craftsmanship in crafting naturally sustainable attire. He highlighted artisans’ critical role as the industry’s backbone.
Consumer awareness is crucial, urging conscious engagement in fashion.
Thiyagarajan advised, “Responsible shopping leads to a brighter tomorrow, whether through thrifting, sustainable fabrics, or material recycling. The mantra: research before accumulating.”
His conscious clothing line bridges haute couture and environmental reverence, honouring the Earth and nature.
“The gap between ignorance and knowledge is small, but the gulf between knowledge and action is vast,” shared Yuvan Aves, a nature educator, writer, and naturalist.
Yuvan is the founder-trustee of the Palluyir Trust for Nature Education and Research. (TedxNapier Bridge)
He emphasised the essential role of nature-centric education in nurturing a profound connection with the natural world among the younger generation.
As the founder-trustee of the Palluyir Trust for Nature Education and Research, Yuvan believes that learning extends beyond textbooks, sparking curiosity and emotional resonance.
Architect Anupama Bothireddy, a pioneer in Sustainable Architecture and Landscape Planning, stated, “Sustainability finds its roots at home.”
Drawing from her extensive 15-year journey, Anupama, in conversation with Aafreen Fathima Kabir, architect and storyteller, unveiled a treasure trove of traditional construction techniques rooted in alternative building materials and climate-conscious architecture.
By championing local labour and resources within a reasonable radius, she emphasised the authenticity of employing raw materials.
At Studio Dcode, Anupama’s creations blend recycled materials with resuscitated artistry in a contemporary realm. (TedxNapier Bridge)
At Studio Dcode, her creations blend recycled materials with resuscitated artistry in a contemporary realm.
Innovative design, merging technology with tradition, defines her architectural vision. Filler slabs for roofing, a fusion of mud pots and concrete, stand as a testament to this approach. Amid trendsetting structures, Anupama’s designs revive venerable techniques like Madras terrace and red oxide flooring.
Her philosophy demonstrates that sustainability transcends bricks and mortar, becoming an integral facet of existence itself.
Environmental entrepreneur Ann Anra delved into waste disposal and recycling through the lens of entrepreneurship, unveiling the layers beneath.
Wasted 360 Solutions, her brainchild, engineers a revolution in urban solid waste management.
Ann Anra. (TedxNapier Bridge)
Ann emphasised, “Wasted 360 Solutions innovatively manages low-value, frequently discarded dry waste, embracing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) encapsulated in the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.”
By bridging awareness, technology, and innovation, Wasted 360 Solutions tailors bespoke waste management solutions for individuals, corporations, and events. This reshapes our relationship with waste and steers us toward a sustainable future.
Tapping the boundless potential of the ocean as a renewable energy source is Dr Purnima Jalihal, a pioneering figure in Ocean Technology. As the Head of Energy and Fresh Water at the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), she discussed ocean energy’s potential as a transformative source in resolving water stress.
“The ocean is made of many drops, and each one counts,” she asserted.
Dr Purnima spotlighted the groundbreaking Low-Temperature Thermal Desalination plant in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep. (TedxNapier Bridge)
Highlighting NIOT’s contributions, she spotlighted the groundbreaking Low-Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plant in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep.
However, the potential of ocean energy faces challenges like perceived risks, high capital investment, and offshore infrastructure.
An encouraging ecosystem for startups is essential, as Dr Purnima and NIOT continuously explore opportunities to harness the ocean’s untapped potential.
Amid the global enormity of climate change, independent journalist Smitha TK’s perspective zooms in on its deeply personal consequences.
She uncovered a pocket-sized hole in our finances that expands annually due to the far-reaching implications of climate change at an individual level.
“The over-extraction of groundwater, queues at water taps, water scarcity, and reliance on tanks collectively puncture our annual budgets,” she shared.
Journalist Smitha TK drew from her experiences reporting on natural disasters. (TedxNapier Bridge)
These costs extend beyond water procurement, encompassing expenses related to treating water-borne diseases and rectifying water-related damages.
Smitha drew from her experiences reporting on natural disasters, sharing the impact on urban environments and Chennai residents’ efforts to combat climate change.
By incorporating water meters, embracing rainwater harvesting, and more, these initiatives exemplify the community’s resolve to mitigate climate change’s effects.
As the curtains closed on this remarkable TEDx event, collective determination reverberated. With ignited hearts and expanded minds, attendees left with not only knowledge but also a renewed sense of responsibility.
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