“The construction industry is one of the major contributors to climate change. As an architect, I am passionate about fixing this.”
Akshatha is a 26-year-old architect from Mirjan, Uttara Kannada in India living in Bangalore. She has been working to tackle the impacts of change in Bangalore.
Living in the city, Akshata could feel the effects of climate change. In Turahalli, the area she works, most households don’t adapt to the impacts of climate change. They have no access to natural lighting and ventilation and are not built for the changes occurring due to climate change.
“Their houses are flooded every year due to heavy rain, there is no proper lighting and ventilation within the living tents, no water supply, no electricity, no proper drainage or sewage system, which actually makes them easy targets for the impacts of climate change.”
Tackling Climate Change.
Akshatha joined Restless Development and started working as a Youth Climate Champion with the Youth Climate Action Lab, a project that raises awareness to mobilise communities to take action on the barriers brought about by climate change especially affecting people in the informal settlement colonies.
She received multiple training sessions from Restless Development which gave her a better understanding of climate change. She is now working to tackle the climate crisis in her community and works hand-in-hand with other organisations in the climate space.
“As a Youth Climate Champion, I am trying to understand the root cause of these problems within the community which in turn will help me create awareness among the community as well as stakeholders to take action.’’
Tapping into the power of young people for climate action.
Young people are key to solving the climate crisis. Young people have the power to adapt and innovate to solve the current challenges and can develop solutions and implement them better to protect their own future.
“I hope this project will bring accountability and ownership among young people like myself and local communities vulnerable to climate change so that they work to mitigate its adverse effects and build up resilience.”
Being optimistic about the future.
Akshatha is currently exploring how she can get into decision-making spaces to bridge the gap between communities and policymakers. Now is the time for young people’s voices to be heard at all levels.
I am hopeful for our future because young people have realised and understood the urgency of climate change. They have the power and they will a build better future.
Akshata
