In 2019, during a UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting, speakers warned that only 11 Years were left to prevent irreversible damage from climate change. Two years have passed by, one of which ushered in a new threat to human survival, causing global catastrophe. The clock is ticking, and in the backdrop of the looming pandemic, prioritizing any other issues is certainly a tough task for countries.

Governments are busy strengthening health systems and caring for their people, while businesses are constantly grappling with new working models as the battle with Covid-19 shows no signs of being short-lived. How then, are these 9 years going to create the miracle of sustainability?

All hope is not yet lost. People are growing increasingly sensitive to expending the journey to a sustainable future. In fact, the past year witnessed consumers embedding eco-friendly solutions in their daily lives as Covid-19 increased awareness and commitment to embracing sustainable lifestyles. A report in 2020 highlighted change in purchasing patterns of Indian consumers – they are now switching to sustainable brands as a response to social responsibility, inclusiveness and environmental impact. 67% of consumers expressed caution about the scarcity of natural resources due to the Covid-19 crisis, while 65% said that would be mindful about the impact of their overall consumption in the new normal. Also, 60% of consumers reduced spending from organisations they perceive as non-sustainable. Another study revealed that Indians were willing to take pay cuts for a sustainable future. It further added that 71% of employees and employment seekers considered environmentally sustainable companies as more attractive employers.

These results are exemplary of how citizen-led efforts can spearhead the movement of change. In times of maintaining social distancing, double masking and vaccination, it’s imperative to individually embrace and protect the environment until it is immunized against the forces of human consumption.

Eco India, a joint venture between Scroll.in and DW recently launched its sixth season, putting the spotlight on multiple such stories of citizen-led efforts in safeguarding the environment. Not only have these efforts been successful in bringing communities closer towards sustainable living, but also inspired many more to bear the torch ahead. Ranging from forest conservation to creating litter-free spaces to reversing desertification, ordinary citizens have shown great determination in translating their dreams of a clean and green future into reality.

Here are some of the stories featured in the sixth season of Eco India:

1. The Forest Rights Act in 2006 aimed to recognize land rights of the forest-dwelling Adivasis, basis proof of living and cultivation since before 2005. Using GPS technology and satellite imagery, the Bhil tribe of Gurajat’s Narmada district gathered evidence with assistance from NGOs and secured their rights, leading to sustainable income generating avenues, land improvement and overall environmental benefit.

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2. Tapping into the rising trend of fitness, youths in India are conducting plogging drives and nature walks, successfully mobilizing and training fellow citizens – transforming their mindsets towards cleaning trash by incentivizing them with overall health benefits associated with fitness and clean environments. Here’s how their eco-fitness journeys benefitted other citizens and the environment.

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3. 96.4 million hectares of land, or 30% of geographical land in India is falling prey to desertification. Realizing this, and fascinated by the idea of living in and making a forest, a group of friends in Dharampuri district of Tamil Nadu, devised a way to reverse desertification and transformed barren land into a co-operative forest- one that promotes reviving biodiversity by rainwater harvesting, community farming and a sustainable business based on eco-friendly products made from forest resources.

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4. Sukhavali, a quaint little village in Tamil Nadu, along with some neighbouring villages, is home to the shy slender loris. Climate change, habitat loss, poaching, superstition, smuggling, export have wreaked havoc for this species, and led to its endangerment. Recognizing its declining numbers could negatively impact biodiversity, a group of villagers along with a non-profit organization, undertook a conservation programme. Check out how their efforts yielded results.

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Stories like these affirm that even the smallest of contributions count. While dealing with the current crisis of survival, we simply cannot afford to overlook the possibility that another is to follow. Eco India season 6 brings to the forefront many such stories of change brought about by the ordinary citizens who believed it to be their responsibility to protect their future, eager to pass the baton of their inspirations, experiences and learnings for many more to pick up and pledge their efforts to saving the planet.

Click here to watch more episodes of the newly launched sixth season.

This article was produced by the Scroll marketing team for the show Eco India, a joint editorial property of Scroll.in and DW.