(Article contributed by Shantanu Dubey, Computer science student from India.)

With the advent of industrial revolution, humanity witnessed outrageous and overwhelming developments across the sectors. Since then, it has been coupled with the unprecedented destruction of habitats, ecologies, and eco systems. At the epitome of development, we are witnessing the change in climate patterns. However, human journey shouldn’t stop while achieving ideal threshold for fighting hunger and appropriate  living standard with considerate planning and scientific approaches, intended to benefit nature and all its beings without discrimination.

The mysteries of climate can be used for the advantage of homo sapiens to fight its self-induced extinction; and fuel sustainable development. The new age entrepreneurs are reinventing the wheel; and chasing nature’s mysteries to fights back nature’s problems.

When paper was invented in China in 105 A.D, no one could have guessed that recycling could be a potential solution for achieving green cover targets. Established in 2018, Swissco Techno Inc. has been focusing in the paper recycling industry and manufacturing plantable seed paper pencils made from recycled newspapers, branded Tulika non toxic pencils. (Swissco Techno Inc., 2021)

When concrete was invented by the Romans in 2 B.C. by mixing mortar with volcanic sands, it might be unbelievable to imagine that adding fungi to this mix could give better results. Yet in today’s date, a popular 100 percent organic material for construction is the mycelium, which is a composition of sawdust and mushroom. Studies have proved that such methods are as efficient as concrete by minimizing energy consumption. Besides modernizing the traditional construction techniques, researchers are also doing extensive studies to uncover the mysteries of several sustainable materials. Dr. Abbas Mohajerani is an Associate Professor in the department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He is researching methods to reduce the manufacturing energy consumption of construction bricks, with the addition of waste management of cigarette buds.  (Abbas Mohajerani Kadir, 2016)

Misbah is a social entrepreneurial venture taken up by Enactus Maitrey in collaboration with Samarthya Trust, Delhi, is making sustainable soy wax candles that leaves no black soot behind and does not release any toxic fumes. Rescued sex workers are employed in the manufacturing of these candles. (Enactus Maitreyi, 2020)

These ground breaking extensive researches are not just limited to the paper and construction industry, but have set a new trend of sustainable consumerism in all aspects of daily life. Kavita Shukla the founder of Freshpaper and the CEO of Freshglow Co. is a shining entrepreneur who wishes to make drastic changes in the food and packaging industry. Her product named ‘Freshpaper’ is a biodegradable sheet of paper with antibiotic properties which keeps the food fresh thrice the duration of a regular aluminum sheet. If more products like these are introduced in the market, they can forever scrape single use plastics and aluminums sheets. (The FRESHGLOW Co., 2021)

The strong consumer base, awareness and positive support gives a boost to sustainable entrepreneurship. The basis for these is capacity building across age groups, professions, and geographic boundaries. This will be achieved through climate change interpretation, awareness campaigns and training.

Capacity building has a dual effect in promoting citizen resolve and building an aware consumer pool.

With awareness campaigns and through capacity building, a consumer’s behavior is molded. It helps the latter realize the true picture of our decaying climate health and this in turn leads to manipulated demands in favor of the environment. The long term effect of the same is political and diplomatic. The citizens, when aware and motivated, will demand for environment sensitive legislations and development policies in sync with sustainability principles. As a result of this, regional and national markets will transform; paving way for international acceptance across the globe.

Sustainable Development is the only way for humans to find equilibrium with nature; and eco sensitive startups are now steering the change. However, international collaboration, national initiative and strong individual will of the masses are baby steps towards green goals & promising green economy explorations.

References

Abbas Mohajerani Kadir, K. A. (2016, March 12). A practical proposal for solving the world’s cigarette butt problem: Recycling in fired clay bricks. Waste Management, 52. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2016.03.012

Enactus Maitreyi. (2020). PROJECT MISBAH. From https://enactusmaitreyi.org/

Swissco Techno Inc. (2021). Tulika Pencils. From Swissco Techno Inc.: https://tulikapencils.com/

The FRESHGLOW Co. (2021). From The FRESHGLOW Co.: https://shop.freshglow.co/