In this month’s newsletter, we dwell on dreams for India’s cities – including Hunnarshala Foundation’s effort to transform urban public spaces through resilient street vending ecosystems in Bhuj, how Low-Emission Zones can tackle air pollution in cities, and learnings from an urban resilience convening by Earth Exponential. We also feature an extraordinary mural by the Senyensen Collective, part of an initiative by the St+art India Foundation in Coimbatore, and a visual reminder of the interconnectedness of all living beings.
As we navigate through June, with World Oceans Day, our gaze turns to the lifeblood of our planet – the vast, mesmerising expanse of our oceans. From the kaleidoscopic splendour of coral reefs sheltering countless marine species, to the essential services offered by fishing communities, we delve into the intricate relationships that sustain our marine environments. These relationships are vital for marine ecosystems and crucial for resilience – of human livelihoods and cultures around the world. We illuminate innovative nature-based solutions paving the way for a symbiotic future with our oceans – harnessing nature’s innate wisdom to mitigate climate change, protect coastal realms, and rejuvenate marine biodiversity.
As the rain comes down heavily on some states and avoids others, we can see climate change shaping lives, geographies, and aspirations across India. There is much to be said; but as life’s unexpectedness comes at us, much like the rain, we must make space for a fleeting, and yet essential pause.
This month, we highlight insights from our latest assessment ‘Trends in climate philanthropy’, in which we analyse three prominent trends in climate giving and suggest five high-level takeaways for funders.
This month, we explore the intricate web that binds biodiversity and climate change—the risks that overlap, the solutions that must be as interconnected as the problems, and the awe the natural world inspires in us. We are also honoured to showcase the work of Ravi Jambhekar, whose illustrations remind us to soften our human-centric gaze. Ravi, an urban ecologist, ultimate frisbee player, and natural history illustrator at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, uses his research to illuminate the impacts of climate change, urbanisation, and habitat fragmentation on biodiversity.
This month, we reflect on the urgency of the climate crisis, the factors that shape it, and the pace of progress. We feature images from the opening plenaries of past COPs, where the world grappled with the warnings of scientists and civil society. While many of these settings still look the same, continuing to show up at platforms like COP29 and Climate Week NYC is critical. It ensures that the gravity of India’s climate crisis is understood and that our needs and solutions are amplified on the global stage.