Mahabahu Hosts Earth Day 2025 Webinar on ‘Our Power, Our Planet’

Kakali Das

On the occasion of Earth Day 2025, Mahabahu successfully hosted a special webinar on April 22, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM IST, reflecting on this year’s global theme—”Our Power, Our Planet.”

This event brought together an impressive panel of key speakers, including Ipato Kenta, an Environmental Conservationist and Founder of Tembea Make An Impact from Kenya; Arghadeep Baruah, Artist and WWF-India’s Earth Hour Water Ambassador for Assam; and Disha Raut, Environmental Advocate and Winner of the International Mahabahu Writing Competition 2024.

Mahabahu Hosts Earth Day 2025 Webinar on ‘Our Power, Our Planet’

The webinar opened with a welcome address by Mr. Rituraj Phukan, renowned Conservationist, Founder of Indigenous People’s Climate Justice Forum and Climate Editor of Mahabahu. Setting the tone, Mr. Phukan highlighted the progress made since the first Earth Day in 1970, but also emphasized that many of the environmental challenges faced 55 years ago remain unresolved—or have worsened. His remarks were a sobering reminder of the work yet to be done and the power people hold to influence change.

The session was moderated by Kakali Das, Assistant Editor of Mahabahu, who guided the conversation.

Disha Raut delivered an insightful Earth Day address, where she stressed the vital role of collective action in combating the climate crisis. Drawing from her experiences with the National Cadet Corps (NCC), Disha highlighted how environmental responsibility extends beyond individual efforts and includes holding corporations accountable. She pointed to the successful resistance against bauxite mining in Odisha’s Niyamgiri Hills as a prime example of grassroots activism protecting the land.

Disha called for a balance between technological innovations and indigenous knowledge, advocating for a collaborative approach that involves both climate scientists and indigenous forest elders. She criticized the current capitalist model focused on short-term profits and urged a shift toward valuing essential resources such as clean air, water, and equity. Disha concluded her address with a message of hope and unity, reaffirming that collective action has the power to shape the future of the planet.

Ipato Kenta stressed on the severe environmental challenges faced by Kenya, where her organization, Tembea Make An Impact, has been active in tree planting initiatives, community clean-up drives, and conservation education. She focused on the devastating impacts of harsh climatic conditions, such as prolonged droughts, on biodiversity and pastoral communities. These conditions have forced women and children to travel long distances for water, aggravating food and water insecurity. In response, her organization has trained women in alternative income sources like beadwork to reduce dependence on livestock.

Besides, Tembea advocates for the rights of pastoralist communities, ensuring their representation in decision-making processes. Ms. Kenta also spoke about the organization’s efforts to combat plastic pollution through community clean-up drives and the planting of over 5,000 tree seedlings across schools in Nakuru and Kajiado counties. This initiative has played a significant role in raising environmental awareness among youth, fostering a generation committed to protecting the planet.

Ms. Kenta’s speech also touched on the importance of community responsibility, youth mentorship, and amplifying indigenous voices in the fight against environmental degradation. She outlined her organization’s plans for expansion, aiming to establish long-term partnerships with local schools and organizations to implement more climate change initiatives. Encouraging young people to take responsibility for protecting the planet, she emphasized the need to act now and make a difference, no matter how small the steps may seem.

Following this, Arghadeep Baruahshared his perspective on the profound connection between nature and creativity. He discussed how nature has been an enduring inspiration for art, music, and film, and emphasized that without nature, creative expressions would lose their essence. Identifying himself as a “prakritikarmi” (nature worker), Arghadeep advocated for mindful living and the importance of inner reflection in tackling the climate crisis.

He called for a collective pause from the fast-paced lifestyle, urging individuals to reconnect with nature and reflect on their inner selves. According to Arghadeep, real change begins from within, and only through conscious choices can individuals hope to make a positive impact on the planet.

Drawing from the famous Spider-Man quote, “With great power comes great responsibility,” Arghadeep highlighted how those with influence, especially in media and the arts, have a unique opportunity to inspire change.

He lauded celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio for using their platforms to advocate for environmental conservation. Arghadeep also reflected on how nature has been a source of inspiration for iconic artists, such as Bhupen Hazarika and Jayanta Hazarika, stressing that preserving the environment is not merely a duty but a necessity for continuing creative inspiration.

The webinar concluded on a hopeful and empowering note, stressing that since this is our planet, the power to protect it lies within us. Whether through writing, community action, education, or art—every individual can play a part in the global environmental movement.

22-04-2025

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