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Ramalingam Karunanidhi, Researcher

Researcher- Environment and Climate Action

India’s plastic challenge: Can circular economy & policies solve the crisis?

Imagine a land where rivers shimmer with life, not plastic waste. A future where beaches are strewn with seashells, not discarded bottles. This vision isn’t unattainable; it's a glimpse of what India could achieve if it tackles its plastic pollution.

Silent crisis: A world without pollinators?

What if you enter a completely empty kitchen one day, with no food in sight and the refrigerator bare? Curious and concerned, you turn on the television to hear alarming news: bees and other pollinators have vanished, and there is a global food crisis. This may sound extreme, but it is a possible reality with the rising temperature, pollution, climate change, habitat depletion, diseases, genetically modified crops and pesticide abuse. 

What are green jobs? Understanding the gaps and opportunities in India’s green economy

Imagine a world where your job doesn’t just earn you a pay cheque, but also helps clean the air, reduce waste, and fight climate change. As India commits to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and scaling up renewable energy, green jobs are emerging as a cornerstone of both economic recovery and environmental responsibility.

But for this transition to succeed, India must overcome deep-rooted challenges, ranging from climate literacy gaps to policy fragmentation, skill mismatches, and implementation issues in government schemes.

Small town, big impact: Japan's Kamikatsu zero-waste journey

What if waste wasn’t a problem, but an opportunity? Can you imagine a town where waste doesn’t pile up? Nestled in the quiet mountains of Shikaou Island, Japan’s town of Kamikatsu with a community of 1500 residents,  has achieved the seemingly impossible: a zero-waste lifestyle, inspiring the world to rethink sustainability. The town has proven that even small communities can make a big impact when it comes to zero-waste.