IIT-B professor resigns to embark on global climate change yatra starting Oct 23

All our life wersquove seen people do whatever it takes to get into IIT Bombay Last week we met someone eager to get out After a 21yearlong association with the premier institute professor Chetan Solanki is down to his final weeks when we visit him in his office in the Energy Science building in the sprawling Powai campus Within minutes the conversation turns heated mdash a promising sign for the environment Solankirsquos cabin is the only one without air conditioning Itrsquos one of the many luxuries the professor who teaches Solar Energy at the insititute has given up as part of his pledge to conserve energyThe customised bus will travel across India next monthWith his team Solanki is charting plans for his lsquoFinite Earth Movement Yatrarsquo that begins after October 23 his last day on campus ldquoThe idea was born in 2020 when I felt the need to reach more people beyond the confines of a classroomrdquo Solanki reveals His message is simple and urgent mdash we face a climate emergency and reducing consumption is the easiest step ldquoFrom the moment you wake up and brush your teeth to making breakfast and commuting to work every action leaves a carbon footprint pushing us closer to disasterrdquo he informs A man of his word Solanki hasnrsquot touched soap in three years relying only on water to scrub himself cleanHis shirt features a timely message PICSSATEJ SHINDEldquoItrsquos neither the government nor technology that will save usrdquo he says a striking claim to make on a campus where students are busy devising the next big innovation What about new technologies like electric vehicles and solarpowered homes Doesnrsquot that give him hope ldquoBut where do you think solar cells come from We mine silicon copper and iron to make every single onerdquo he counters ldquoI knew a family in Gujarat that owned one air conditioner After the government subsidised solar batteries they installed three one in each room Can you imagine the carbon emissionsrdquo he ruesThe bus houses a mini library a work desk and a seating areaThe solution he says is best illustrated in his bus parked just a few blocks from the office Built over a period of 22 days using his own funds and CSR funding from corporate firms a team of four volunteers including a driver and a cleaner will soon make the bus their home On the way to the vehicle we pass groups of engineering students hurrying to their lecture halls many of whom he assures will carry his message forward Inside the modified bus that will serve as Solankirsquos home during the Yatra we meet TUPEE a character he has created to help him spread the wordThe professor explains the route of his upcoming yatra right the kitchen space inside the busT Travel less U Use items wisely P Purchase cautiously E Eat carefully E Eliminate electricity waste TUPEE reminds us On a wall facing this illustration hangs a large map of India ldquoWe will chart a southward journey traversing Pune Solapur Goa Kochi Chennai and Coimbatore Next year Irsquom hoping to go global starting with a trip to South Asiardquo he reveals We learn that a new music album for the cause is in the works ldquoWersquore trying to rope in some familiar faces including Sunidhi Chauhan to bring it to liferdquo he revealsSeated at his favourite spot Solanki plays a tune on his fluteBetween taking mental notes wersquore admittedly a tad distracted by Solankirsquos modifications inside the bus It hosts a study desk a mini library a washroom solarpowered lights and a bedroom At the heart of it lies what we feared the most mdash a diesel engine ldquoPeople are quick to point out the contradiction What about the air conditioners that run nonstop in malls In the same world where Irsquom questioned for using diesel to spread awareness yoursquore allowed to operate a cinema hall for three hours for a handful of viewersrdquo he countersAmong test tubes repurposed into planters and todo lists scribbled on whiteboards a corner is reserved for photo frames of Solankirsquos memories from his home in Madhya Pradesh In 2020 the 51yearold left behind his parents and wife to set out on the Energy Swaraj Yatra the predecessor to his new movement ldquoIt was hard for them but they grew used to it They donrsquot crave my presence anymorerdquo he shares The Finite Earth Movement will add a few more years to his ongoing exile ldquoI will finally go home in 2031 Itrsquos going to be emotionalrdquo he addsAs we step out of the bus back into the lush green campus we wonder how one could possibly be looking forward to leaving it behind preretirement at that ldquoIrsquoll miss it The campus the students the prestige the job brought with it But in simple words wersquore in a climate emergency Mumbairsquos monsoon arrived prematurely this year and is already overstaying its welcome Wersquore stretching our luck thin here When we talk about human extinction you need to understand that itrsquos not a few thousand years away It could happen as soon as 70 to 150 years from todayrdquo he remarksWe bid the professor adieu to sit with that thought But will we see him again in these lanes someday in 2031 perhaps ldquoIf IIT wants me back it will be me who will set the selection criteria this time The planet is running out of time and unless itrsquos an engagement that will drive real impact I try my best to avoid lectures and talks for a few seconds of applauserdquo he signs off Log on to energyswarajorg to follow the journeyLive smart for the planetAdopt these easy hacks suggested by Professor Solanki to play your part in curbing climate changegtgt Carry a steel drinking tumbler when you visit cafeacutes and restaurantsgtgt Avoid using paper tissues and opt for washable cloth napkinsgtgt Eat seasonal food and buy from local markets to discourage packaging and food transportationgtgt Wear lightweight clothes that can be washed easily If yoursquore serious about change opt for an allwhite wardrobe The dyeing industry is a big contributor to water wastagegtgt Curb the overuse and overdependence on quick commerce apps and step out to shopgtgt Travel in carpools whenever possiblegtgt Repair donrsquot replace Your shoes bag gadgets have a longer lifespan than you think