"If you won't follow AMG, you will say OMG," says Prof Chetan Solanki

'We can afford but nature cannot' is very important for us understand when we talk of sustainability because of a simple fact that science, technology and economy can grow but the size of the planet, amount of water, soil and minerals cannot grow, said Solar Man of India - Prof Chetan Solanki, a professor of IIT Bombay at Storyboard18's Power of Purpose event on Friday, October 18, 2024.

Prof Solanki believes in the concept of three step approach, AMG, which he explains as avoid, minimize and generate. According to him, one-third of the energy in day to day life must be avoided, one-third to be minimized and one-third should be generated. "If you are not following AMG, you are going to say OMG- oh my god!," he exclaimed.

He further said that the primary rule to use solar energy is to not use the solar energy as it takes a lot of the resources, including energy that goes into heating and mining to make a solar panel. He advised to use energy efficiently. For instance, light can be avoided in the day time and at night LED bulbs can be rather used. Why do we need four-door froidges, he asked to keep just some milk and veggies cool? Why do we have ACs at such low temperatures, cooling large rooms and halls, when we just need to cool a small human body in the room? Solanki gave the audience a lot of food for thought.

He further highlighted that the current global temperature is 1.3 degree Celsius and it is estimated that by the end of this century it will rise to 1.7 degree Celsius. "If you are not going to avoid, the nature is going to avoid you," he stated.

Talking about his 'Energy Swaraj Yatra', Prof Solanki said that he lives in a bus with all necessities such as kitchen, bed, washroom, library, office, etc. He said that through this yatra, he understood that 99% people don't understand the idea of sustainability. He has been into this yatra for over 1400 days now.

Read more: Power Of Purpose