54 years have passed since the Stockholm conference on the environment, and now people in this distant area joyfully observe June 5 as World Environment Day – a clear victory for our generation. While many of us have formed a habit of participating in activities on this day or leading up to it, this practice certainly stirs our compassion for the changing surroundings. For many, it takes the pain of shifting weather patterns, altered seasonal rhythms, and the fading flavor of our food to truly grasp the fragility of environmental challenges. The United Nations has emphasized to the world that learning and adapting are essential in response to the environmental shifts we’re experiencing.

Rapid lifestyle changes originating in Western society have made this transition more difficult than it should be. Over the past few decades, many habits from the West have infiltrated the less-developed areas of the East, leading to complex health dilemmas, mindless indulgence, and economic ruin. We have distanced ourselves from our traditionally scientific, eco-conscious, and healthier ways of living, falling prey to the fabricated realities showcased by developed nations, which have cleverly embraced our customs and now hold the reins.

As the population continues to grow, a constant clash arises between the need for conservation and people's pursuit of a livelihood. Protecting our natural resources means enforcing limits on access to forests, yet many of us remain indifferent. While conservation expenses are often steep, the benefits tend to be spread out more globally than felt locally. Without a global market for local goods or significant tourism income, many individuals face persistent poverty. Adjusting personal and community habits is crucial for effective climate action, with the United Nations Environment Programme noting that if just 1 billion out of 8 billion people embrace eco-friendly practices, we could see a roughly 20% decrease in global carbon emissions.

Initiatives like India's Mission Lifestyle for Environment, launched at the 26^th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, aim to empower individuals as "Pro-Planet People," encouraging a shift from careless consumption to conscious utilization. Research shows that focused changes in consumer behavior can significantly reduce environmental footprints: Dietary changes, such as adopting a plant-based diet or cutting down on meat and dairy, represent the most effective individual action, potentially lowering one's annual food-related carbon emissions by 500–900 kg of Carbon di-Oxide.

Transitioning from personal gas-powered vehicles to public transport, cycling, walking, or electric cars addresses transport, which is responsible for almost 40% of emissions from household consumption. Embracing the "3Rs" (Rethink, Repurpose, Redesign) by cutting down on new clothing purchases, saying goodbye to single-use plastics, and reducing waste from food delivery. Enhancing home insulation, opting for energy-efficient devices, and moving to renewable energy sources to lower emissions from buildings. Although personal choices hold significant power, individuals need collective action to truly make an impact.

Experts from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) point out that changes in lifestyle should be supported by systemic reform. It’s essential for governments and businesses to develop necessary infrastructure—like dependable public transit, green energy grids, and affordable, sustainable products—so that eco-conscious living is attainable for all, not just a select few. In the end, individual actions can spark crucial societal change, creating the momentum needed to advocate for broader political and structural solutions to the climate crisis.

In forests, the trees and soil effectively capture and hold onto carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air, a method called carbon sequestration. When these forests are cleared, the carbon they held is released back into the atmosphere. Tropical deforestation is believed to account for around 20 percent of global CO2 emissions each year. Interestingly, the Sundarbans in West Bengal may actually function as a more powerful carbon sink compared to the Amazon forests. The total carbon stored in these islands is estimated at 21.13 million tons, with 5.49 million tons stored in the soil (down to a depth of 30 cm). This area contains 0.41 percent of all carbon found in Indian forests, which totals 6,621 million tons. Each year, it absorbs 2.79 million tons, representing 0.55 percent of the country's annual fossil fuel emissions, which reach 504.6 million tons of carbon annually.

There's a common belief that plantations are a top choice for combating climate change and global warming, but this isn’t actually true. The rate at which trees capture carbon depends on various factors like their species, soil type, the local climate, and how they’re managed. Interestingly, the Sundarbans has a carbon capture rate in live biomass that surpasses the Amazon forest by 35-48 percent. At the current global forest carbon price of about €5 (or about ₹350) per tonne, Tripura’s carbon value could be estimated in the hundreds of crores. This figure doesn’t even account for the other ecosystem services and job opportunities our forests provide to over 200,000 residents in Tripura. Clearly, carbon trading presents a promising business avenue for Tripura that we should investigate promptly.

[Dr Bhattacharjee, a senior journalist of Tripura and a leading environment activist]