"Climate change is real, it is happening right now... Let us not take this planet for granted,” Oscar award-winning actor Leonardo Dicaprio said in his speech at the 88th Academy Awards in 2016, as he took home his first Oscar for The Revenant — a film that deals with the man’s relationship with the depleting environment. But that’s not all, he kept his word and continued to work for environmental and issues, including forest preservation, healthy oceans and renewable energy. And he is not the only one. Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen wore a sustainable Dior gown at the Met Gala 2019 to not only create a sartorial statement but send the message loud and clear, that we need to care about the ecosystem that has supported us for ages immemorial! Closer home, actress and activist Amala Akkineni has set an example by going vegan and always opting for sustainable weaves.
The New Indian Express has been tracking the trajectory of the movement with interviews of celebrities including Dia Mirza and Abhay Deol, who have been vocal about the need to work on environmental issues. After celebrating Environment Day last year, this time around, TNIE’s education, campus and youth supplement, Education Express, is organising EdEx: 40 Under 40, by bringing together 40 thought influencers and dynamic speakers.
One of the young speakers at the event is 14-year-old Aditi Anand, a poet who has been campaigning for schools to go zero per cent plastic. “I’ve been working on the necessity to stop using single-use plastic. Whether it’s an art competition or a debate, I usually pick topics that deal with conserving the environment. At EdEx: 40 Under 40, I will be speaking about the same, with emphasis on what the world will look like in 2050, if we don’t act now,” says the Delhi Public School student, adding, “When I was 13, my school sent me to a lake clean up, in Manikonda, that’s when I realised how bad the situation actually was and wanted to do my bit.”
Back to the roots
Celebrating its 9th anniversary, EdEx curated a special edition (June 17) featuring 40 environmentalists from across South India, who have made a difference with their effective work — who are saving the world, combating climate change, saving trees and educating a whole generation about organic living. Some of their young awardees include Arun Krishnamurthy, Environmental Foundation of India, Vihari Kanukollu, UrbanKisaan, Akshay Jain, Namo Ewaste, Sharavan Krishnan, BMAD and many more.
Story till date
EdEx has had speakers such as Working President of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) KT Rama Rao, bestselling author Ashwin Sanghi, activist S P Udayakumar, actor Gauthami, T-Hub’s Rama Iyer and former Supreme Court Judge Justice J Chelameswar, among others, share their thoughts about their field of expertise. While the first edition of 40 Under 40 featured stalwarts in the field of education, the second instalment comprised breakthrough startups from South India.
Speaker’s stop
Shekar Dattatri
Award-winning conservation filmmaker and photographer | Speaking on Wildlife and the Human Effect: How far is too far?
Medha Patkar
Noted activist and Convenor, Narmada Bachao Andolan | Speaking on The Water Question: Where do we go next?
Kavitha Kalvakuntla
President, Telangana Jagruthi | Speaking on Time is Running Out
Tarun Jami
Builder who specialises in using hempcrete for construction | Speaking on The Carbon Conundrum: Why we need a ‘C’ change?
Manikonda Vedakumar
Forum for a Better Hyderabad | Speaking on Rise of the green monster: Why our cities shouldn’t be the end for us
Dr G V Ramanjaneyulu
Director — CSA, Agricultural scientist and researcher | Speaking on Why our farmers deserve more respect from us
Kaajal Maheshwari
Climate change activist | Speaking on The Friday Uprising: Inside the making of a planetary revolution
Prashant Lingam
Bamboo exponent and plastic upcycling expert | Speaking on The Problem with Plastic
At ITC Kakatiya.
August 9, 5.30 pm.