Changemakers in Chennai are set to champion actionable climate steps at the upcoming TEDxNapier Bridge Countdown 2023 event.
TEDxNapier Bridge 2023 will showcase several powerful ideas focusing on climate change solutions from Chennai-based speakers and performers. (Supplied)
In a world grappling with the ever-increasing impact of climate change, the urgency to shift from passive awareness to concrete action has never been more pressing.
As a vital component of TED’s global countdown initiative centred on climate solutions, TEDxNapier Bridge 2023 in Chennai unites a diverse cohort with a shared aspiration: climate positivity.
TEDx Countdown is a grassroots initiative that supports locally-curated climate events. This year’s symposium theme, Turning Vision into Reality, aims to bridge fleeting awareness with impactful change.
At the forefront stands Shobha Menon, Founder of Nizhal, a pioneering initiative centred on conserving trees.
Shobha’s voice resonates as she champions the paradigm shift from the disempowering grasp of “learned helplessness” to a potent culture of active engagement.
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Shobha passionately asserts, “The green cover is shrinking and the gap between awareness and proactive action for the environment is both criminal and tragic.”
Her clarion call underscores the pressing need for localised actions and grassroots endeavours.
Shobha’s sentiment reverberates in the words of Ann Anra, an environmental entrepreneur instrumental in propelling change through her initiative Wasted 360 Solutions.
Ann’s perspective emphasises the transformative power of events like TEDxNapier Bridge.
“Events serve as catalysts for sparking conversations and instigating action among the general populace,” she shares.
Ann’s journey proves that scalable solutions for pressing issues like solid waste management are achievable.
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Recalling her journey, Ann notes, “In the early days of my initiative, the concept of ‘My waste, my responsibility’ faced skepticism.”
However, since its inception in 2018, Wasted has garnered consistent community participation. “We collect over two-and-a-half to three tonnes of waste per month at our T Nagar centre as part of the drop-off model,” she says.
Confronting the grip of helplessness, Ann posits that actionable steps can serve as a potent antidote.
“Embarking on the journey of sustainable living can seem overwhelming,” she admits, “but breaking it into manageable strides shatters this barrier.”
Adding a unique layer to the discourse is K Saravanan, a fisherman, cartographer, and fervent climate activist.
His advocacy resonates with the urgency of the recent assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It advocates for an equitable transition that uplifts marginalised communities.
Saravanan asserts, “Sustainability is only achievable when all segments of society labour collectively, standing as equals. It’s the marginalised who usually bear the brunt. It’s time for all of us to acknowledge it and change the narrative.”
This ethos intertwines with his vision of Samathuvam (equality). “Without Samathuvam, there cannot be sustainability,” he adds.
His efforts to empower his community through the mapping of fishing villages exemplify this ethos.
Adding to the symposium’s discourse, Yuvan Aves, a celebrated naturalist and climate educator; Dr Purnima Jalihal, a trailblazing Ocean Energy and Water Technologist; Anupama Bothireddy, a sustainable architect and landscape planner; Smitha TK, an independent journalist, and Ashwin Thiyagarajan, a fashion designer, bring diverse insights from various domains, enriching the conversations.
Transitioning to a different dimension, the event will embrace artistic expression.
Two dynamic performances are poised to captivate the audience: a parai performance by Aazhi Kalaikuviyam and an innovative play by Burrito Bowl Productions.
These creative showcases underscore the role of imagination in driving climate-conscious dialogues.
This year, TEDx Napier Bridge is among just 10 TEDx conferences worldwide authorised to host the TEDx Countdown as a pivotal event.
Shyam Sundar, the curator and licensee of TEDxNapier Bridge, exudes palpable excitement for the event’s evolution.
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“With almost a decade of hosting inclusive conferences, TEDxNapier Bridge remains committed to spreading ideas worth sharing. This year’s event stands as an anchor for TED’s Countdown initiative. We have been working on planning and curating this event since January this year,” he shares.
As the countdown to the event nears, the unified message from Shobha, Ann, and Saravanan is clear: The time for climate action is now.
The event promises to be more than a gathering. It’s an intersection of inspiration, dialogue, and actionable steps driving us towards a sustainable and egalitarian future.
Ann’s assertion rings true, “Sharing ideas sparks conversations about positive, actionable steps.”
TEDxNapier Bridge Countdown 2023 will take place on 27 August 2023 at Anna Centenary Library, Chennai, from 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm. For tickets, visit: tedxnapierbridge.com/attend
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