Green CRUSADER

For sustainability activist Aakash Ranison, time is of the essence in his effort to mitigate the ongoing climate crisis, finds Barry Rodgers

- Barry Rodgers

The first time I met Aakash Ranison, we were trekking up a steep slope in the Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh. Despite the challenging terrain, his demeanour exuded ease as he leaned against a rock, taking in the surrounding flora and fauna. Normally, I'm wary of those who effortlessly embrace the outdoors, but with Ranison, it felt different. I've known him as someone who travelled across India to connect with himself and communities at large in 2014. He originally hails from Indore but now calls the whole of India his home.

For Ranison, building awareness about the real effects of climate change has been a lifelong project. After finishing school in 2013 in Indore, he spearheaded an initiative that centred around clearing plastic waste. "While my efforts related to environmental conservation were relatively small, including activities like tree planting and addressing plastic pollution, I encountered a significant challenge with plastic waste. Despite my best efforts with the community, plastic waste often ends up being disposed of improperly, contributing to environmental degradation. This experience underscored the importance of addressing plastic pollution and fostering greater environmental awareness," he says.

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