Sonam Wangchuk, an Indian engineer, innovator and education reformist is the force behind several institutions and initiatives in Ladakh that aim to combat climate change and transform the education system. Today he is on a mission to urge city-dwellers to live simpler lives, so that their fellow countrymen can just live.
Mr. Wangchuk is the founding-director of Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) campus, which functions in a completely sustainable manner. In 1994, he played a significant role in launching Operation New Hope. This initiative is all about reforming the education system by collaborating with the village communities and civil society.
In Ladakh, Mr. Wangchuk has implemented several innovations like the ‘ice stupa’ artificial glaciers to store water, low water consuming farming techniques, solar heated mud buildings, etc. However, all these efforts are just not enough if people in big cities continue business as usual. We need to significantly reduce wastage, stop taking resources for granted and take conscious steps to conserve them. It’s not fair that we live a life of luxury and plenty at the cost of others in the country who are just barely managing to live.
Mr. Wangchuk’s message is clear. We need a far-reaching, nationwide wave of behavioural change towards sustainability. Climate action is a responsibility that each one of us should take seriously and act on.
We have always considered it our duty to take care of the environment and believed in encouraging small steps of action that can make a big difference. With 4000+ employees involved in our Allcargo Greens and ECU Greens initiatives, we support Mr. Wangchuk’s initiative and will continue focusing on sustainability.
As David Bower aptly put it, “We don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” About time we started acting accordingly, right?