R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, APRIL 22
To commemorate the ‘Earth Day’, the ‘Solar Man of India’ Dr Chetan Singh Solanki, who is also Professor of Department of Energy Science & Engineering, IIT Bombay unveiled the ‘Energy Swaraj Club’ at the Agurchand Manmull Jain College, Meenambakkam in Chennai on Friday.
Addressing the students on ‘Energy Swarajya and I’, Dr Solanki emphasised an urgent need to address the issue of heavy energy dependence on fossil fuels and urged the masses to switch over to 100 percent use of Solar Energy.
We are pleased to inform you that #EnergySwaraj Yatra
is in Tamil Nadu.
The experience in Kerala has been wonderful and
We hope to receive a similar response in Tamil Nadu. If
you want to host the Energy Swaraj Yatra, fill the form
available at – https://t.co/QUKJcUh8Dr" pic.twitter.com/BGdxSXReMl— Energy Swaraj Foundation (@Energy_Swaraj) April 11, 2022
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Excessive use of fossil fuels like coal, gas and oil as the main sources of energy were the main impediments for the global warming.
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Avoid (use of energy), Minimise (consumption) and Generate (Solar Energy).
He exhorted the students to contribute to the solution and not pollution. He highlighted the connection between energy dependence, the nation’s economy, global warming and human survival and existence. He alerted the students that the earth’s temperature is rising mainly due to the CO2 emission which is 48% above the permitted levels. Global GDP increases while Nature’s health decreases, he added. Excessive use of fossil fuels like coal, gas and oil as the main sources of energy were the main impediments for the global warming.
Dr Solanki’s mantra, 3-pronged strategy to mitigate global warming
Dr Solanki suggested two mantra’s “fundamental laws of human existence – limit the consumption and localise the production” as a sustainable solution for the problem. He also suggested a 3-pronged approach – Avoid (use of energy), Minimise (consumption) and Generate (Solar Energy). He said, this would generate jobs and in turn, it will help economic development.
Everyone should be an agent of spreading awareness on Energy Swaraj Movement
Dr Solanki urged the masses to spread awareness on Energy Swaraj Movement. He urged the Institutions and individuals to lead the Movement, by starting and spreading Energy Literacy, Certification, reduce energy consumption, encourage others too, start Energy Swaraj Club etc. Dr. Solanki urged the students to spread awareness through social media on this energy independence movement.
Energy Swaraj Yatra through a solar bus is the heart of the Energy Swaraj Movement planned to combine synergies of climate change mitigation efforts. The yatra is planned across the country starting from November 2020 until December 2030, nearly 11 years long, to create Energy Swaraj as a public movement. Dr. Chetan Singh Solanki, a professor from IIT Bombay, brand ambassador of Solar Energy for Govt. of MP, and Founder, Energy Swaraj Foundation, has pledged not to go home until 2030 and live & travel in the solar bus. During the yatra, Prof. Solanki is meeting thousands of people, policymakers and delivering lectures. He plans to criss-cross the country 7 to 8 times during an 11-year-long yatra.
He warned that absence of effort now will make temperatures rise at least by 3°C and hence demanded that each one should accept responsibility for the change.
Reply to a query raised by a student on generation of power in Polar Regions, he said there are alternate sources like bio mass are available.
Later, the students were allowed to visit his ‘home’ – a solar bus, in which Dr Solanki is going to live for 11 more years and travel around the country to propagate on tapping solar energy.
To sensitise students about sustainable development and environmental protection, the Institution had already installed solar panels in the campus. This would go a long way in shifting the focus towards renewable energy sources, which is the next big step in building a sustainable environment for generations to come. Besides, the institution also conducts programmes to spread this awareness.
In connection with these initiatives, the Institution is building an enduring relationship with the Swaraj Foundation to contribute to the society as a disseminator of knowledge on ecology.
Dr Venkatraman, Principal, Agurchand Manmull Jain College presided.
