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OUR WAKE UP CALL

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However, the UK is calling for urgent global action in response to the latest report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This has happened right after the UN report that came out in early August leaving the world alarmed with the fact that we could reach 1.5 degrees warming in the next decades without immediate action. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and COP26 President Alok Sharma, have called for urgent steps to cut global emissions.

During G7 The Prince of Wales told the leaders, "The fight against this terrible pandemic provides if ever one was needed, a crystal clear example of the scale and the sheer speed at which the global community can tackle crises when we combine political will with business ingenuity and public mobilization. Ladies and gentlemen, we are doing it for the pandemic, so if you don't mind me saying so, we must also do it for the planet. " In his latest article in the Daily Mail, Prince Charles writes, “Our planet is in crisis and, no matter where you are, no country is immune. ”

Asian Voice spoke to members of the Asian community in the UK as well as experts on climate change to comment on the ongoing climate crisis and what can be done to move towards a sustainable future with better environmental techniques. New climate change reports a wake-up call

Soon after the news broke, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “The UK is leading the way in decarbonising our economy faster than any country over the last two decades. I hope that today 's IPCC report will be a wake-up call for the world to take action now before we meet in Glasgow in November for the critical COP26. ”

In response to the report, Alok Sharma said,

“We can do this together by coming forward with ambitious 2030 emission reduction targets and long-term strategies with a pathway to net-zero by the middle of the century and taking action. Now, to end coal power, accelerate the role of the rollout of electric vehicles, tackle deforestation and reduce methane emissions. ”

In a recent visit to India last week COP26 President Alok Sharma held a meeting with India's energy minister for discussions of over $100 billion Green Climate Fund. He also expressed the willingness of the UK to collaborate with India on its ambitious Green Hydrogen Project.

Further trying to involve India in cementing the UK-India partnership, on his three-day visit to India. Mr Sharma met climate action ministers, industry leaders and representatives of civil society organisations, ahead of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Scotland, Glasgow from 31 October.

How is the community contributing towards a sustainable future?

Speaking to Asian Voice, Colour Expert, Momtaz Begum Hossain; Image credit: Liz Seabrook/Craftivi st Collective

Momtaz Begum-Hossain said,

“I’ ve been conscious of environmental issues from childhood but it’ s in adulthood after seeing frightening changes to the earth that have made me step up my commitment to ‘ saving the planet. ’ I’ m involved with the ‘Canary Craftivists ’ project as a way of doing some good. Craftivism is a form of gentle protest where you make handmade crafts with a message.

“Ahead of the COP26 the United Nations Climate Change Conference in November, the idea is to make a canary and send it to your MP this September with a note to say that you care about global warming, and you would like them to lobby the Prime Minister to take the issue seriously to speed up and stop climate change. Sending an MP a handmade gift is powerful because it will stand out and get noticed.

“The campaign is centred around canaries because these bright yellow birds used to accompany coalminers into the mines and would give the miners warning signs when the air became too toxic. The Craftivist Collective website has free craft patterns you can use to make a canary and advice on how to word your accompanying letter to your MP. If you ’ re a creative person and have never done any climate change protest before this is a great way to start. ”

Indian households have been practising sustainable living for generations

Shweta Bahri, Co-Founder at Earth Warriors Global - Sustainability & Education Policy Expert is also the founder

of No More Waste which is a platform to promote sustainable solutions for individuals and businesses in India.

Shweta commented, "Indian households have been practising sustainable living for generations. In most Indian households glass jars are never thrown out and wrapping papers and plastic packets are carefully kept away for reuse. Before plastic became commonplace terracotta cups, steel plates and banana leaves were the norms in India. Most Indian families in urban India are now being encouraged to adopt some of these old practices" . "Many Indian children learn sustainable practices from their grandparents in multigenerational households and, just like the UK, India has a large youth for the climate movement, however, India doesn ’t have climate education as part of its national curriculum, something many activists are advocating for. Partnerships are key for successful climate action so it would be ideal for India and the UK to actively engage youth audiences, jointly advocate for climate education & partner on zerocarbon initiatives to combat climate change as a global issue" .

More people embracing a meat-free lifestyle

Sharing his opinion on the climate crisis and sustainable living, Dr Mehool

Shweta Bahri

‘Funding’ a huge barrier for Climate Change

Sukhbir Sidhu, 65, who moved to the UK at a young age, and his son Ricky Singh, 38, launched solar panel installation company Evergen Systems in 2011 – aimed at reducing energy consumption and cutting CO2 emissions. By 2019 Evergen was ranked eighth fastest-growing company in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 and forecasting group turnover of £23 million next year with sights set on building their own UK factory to start manufacturing by 2026. With over 23MW installed to date, they are a leading Solar company in the UK.

In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, Sukhbir Sidhu addressed concerns about climate change, the UK-India partnership at COP26 and shared more details about his project. Q - At an entrepreneurial level, how do you think companies together can impact climate change?

Large/public companies are required to publish quarterly results so are under constant pressure to show growth in profits. Whilst they will have environmental policies, in most cases, this is just a tick in the box. Small, entrepreneurial companies on the other hand can put a great deal of focus on environmental issues and make a huge impact. For example, in smaller companies, it is easier to adopt, communicate and enforce environmental policies across the entire workforce. It is often the smaller things like reducing waste, which together can make significant differences. I think Government should also step in and offer tax incentives to companies who reduce their Carbon footprint, at the same time impose Carbon taxes on imports. Why are we importing plastic bottles for hand sanitiser halfway around the world from China? Q - How many more Evergens would it take to bring about a real change in pollution levels?

This year two entrepreneurs are making plans to send space vehicles to Mars, yet we can ’t solve a centuries-old problem of urban air pollution. Fact is, if you really want to improve air quality now, there are only two options (1) stop polluting (2) start cleaning. The first one is impossible as we can get polluted air from overseas (pollution particles can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles). To do and the second requires investment. So far Governments, Local Authorities, Cities and Municipalities have focused on transport as it’ s the easiest to blame the motorist, also it generates revenues. The London Congestion charge was introduced in February 2003, TCharge in October 2017 and ULEZ in April 2019. Whilst £billions have been collected from motorists there has been NO measurable reduction in particle pollution. So, unless Governments and authorities start investing in air cleaning solutions, there will be no improvement. Air is a shared resource, so why should private companies invest in developing technologies to clean urban air, if no one is prepared to pay for it? Evergen has made the investment and commitment and so far, we are one of the very few. Q - How can the UK and Indian governments play an important role especially with COP26 coming up, to help entrepreneurs like you?

Whether it’ s in UK or India, Governments need to change a number of important things (1) the pace at which they adopt new ideas and technologies (2) Reach out to smaller, innovative companies and not just the huge corporations who are fat and happy and not agile (3)

Dr Mehool Sangharajka MBE

Sanghrajka MBE - Managing Trustee of the Institute of Jainology, told us, “What the last year has taught us is that poor treatment of animals, destruction of their natural habitat, and poverty (which leads to demand for ever cheaper food), have dire consequences. It also shows us that all life is interdependent (a long-held Jain tenet), and our actions have long-term consequences. Over the longer term, this ‘ reset’ of our consumer lifestyles will mean more people embracing a meat-free lifestyle, more awareness of our environment and a need to educate and alleviate people from poverty. It’ s a lesson we need to learn and a blessing that we may be able to do this before it is too late. ”

If we fail to act now, we will fail our current and future generations

Daisy Narayanan, Member of Scotland’ s Climate Assembly Evidence Group told the

Daisy Narayanan

newsweekly,

“We know that tackling the climate crisis will take an immense collective effort, requiring a systemic change to build a fair and sustainable future for all. However, community and individual action can be both empowering and impactful in making a difference to the environment and help build resilience to climate impacts. As part of Scotland’ s Climate Assembly, people from across Scotland came together to lay the foundations of a strategic vision and urge governments – local and national – to commit to a plan of action for Scotland to deliver on its climate change commitments. As the Assembly members statement of ambition made clear, climate change requires immediate action at all levels of society. If we fail to act now, we will fail our current and future generations, in Scotland and across the world. ” Reincarnation Programme

Sukhbir Sidhu Shilpa Bilimoria Cherry

Addressing a rather serious environmental concern, Founder of House of Bilimoria, Shilpa Bilimoria-Cherry said, "It’ s no secret that the textiles & fashion industry is one of the leaders in contributing to the climate crisis. Every stage of the process of production, from fibre to end of life, is contributing to the speed we are seeing our planet and its resources deteriorate. House of Bilimoria ’ s mission revolves around creating awareness, consciousness and connection for the consumers and the products that they choose to clothe themselves in. With our circular design policies, our pieces are made from second hand, vintage, and heirloom textiles, not limited to, but namely sarees. Seeing first-hand how many of these beautiful textiles are often worn once. Then hidden in wardrobes until eventually heading to landfill too. We build relationships and connections with textiles. Aiming to have people understand that buying less, wearing more, and being conscious about what happens to the items once they are done with them will start to create the ripple effect that is needed, now more than ever. Alongside this mission, we implement our ‘Reincarnation Programme ’ whereby items purchased can be returned at end of use, for a 30% voucher towards the customer's next purchase. That item will be luxury upcycled or recycled responsibly by ourselves. ”

Hybrid cars and recycling at home

At a household level, Sharmee Mavadia,

Sharmee Mavadia

Director Sharp PR is doing her bit and also raising her daughter with the right information and approach towards sustainable living. She said, “As a family of four, we try to recycle and reuse as much as possible. My daughter is concerned about the environment so is keen to ensure we recycle where we can. We also have a hybrid car that helps us minimise journeys and we do try to walk if possible. In addition, I have put some money into Clim8 Invest - an easy-to-use app for people looking to make a positive impact with their investments.

INVEST, INVEST, INVEST. Private companies will only risk developing new technologies if they know there is a potential for return. The Government will say “ we are investing £billions on measures to combat Climate change ” . This is true but how much of that money filters down to small innovative companies? The process of navigating Government schemes and grants is hugely complicated and cumbersome and small companies rarely have the time and resources to apply. Funding is also a huge barrier. Whilst large corporations can raise money from the market or banks, smaller innovative companies are seen as risky by the banks so borrowing is difficult. Also, the banks demand personal guarantees so Directors are expected to put their homes on the line.

Britain had the Green Investment Bank which was dedicated to lending to environmental projects. But this was sold in 2017 to Australia