The Climate Circus: Why Our Collective Consciousness Needs to Get Its Act Together

Shiv Nadar School parent and sustainability thought leader Ranjan Rayna reminds us that climate action begins with intention, and that making sustainability part of everyday conversations can spark wider change.

Let’s cut to the chase: climate change is happening, and it is not a distant worry from some far-off future. It is the present reality, the urgency of a doorbell ringing at 3 AM; as much as you may be in denial, not wanting to address the same, you cannot ignore it. The questions we face now are: What on earth are we doing about it? Can we even do anything about it?

Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening right here and now in India. In the year 2024 alone, we saw catastrophic floods in Himachal Pradesh and relentless monsoon rains in Kerala that displaced thousands and wreaked havoc on communities. The heatwaves sweeping through various regions make you question if you are in a sauna or if Mother Nature is just testing the limits of a summer playlist.

These aren’t one-off events; they’re part of a distressing pattern. The Indian Meteorological Department’s predictions are clear: extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. If this were a game of roulette, we would have hit the jackpot. Our climate change card is full. We are not just talking about weather hiccups; we are witnessing a climate crisis unfolding in real time.

So, where do we go from here? First off, let’s talk about ‘collective consciousness’. It is not just a buzzword but a collective wake-up call that says we need to get our act together. It’s no longer enough to simply sweep climate responsibility under the rug and move on, as if it’s just an afterthought.

Mirror, mirror on the…

Most of us agree that there are a few stakeholders who need to be held accountable for their actions, or inactions. But before we focus outwards, let us turn the mirror around. Yes, you heard it right: individual responsibility is crucial. Each of us has a role to play in this climate story, and it’s not about making drastic lifestyle changes overnight. Instead, it’s about making mindful choices that, when multiplied across millions of us, can create a real impact.

Now, you don’t need to turn your life into a zero-waste shrine or get into the nitty-gritty of carbon neutrality. Neither do you have to become a poster child for veganism unless that’s your thing (in which case, more power to you!). But maybe consider as small a step as identifying (and gradually ditching) the single-use plastics at your home, counting your reusable coffee cups, or doing a bit of homework on whether that new dress, a pair of shoes, gadget or car is as green as it claims to be. Sustainability isn’t about perfection; it’s about intention and consistency.

Communities and their camaraderie may change a few things

For a couple of years, I have had the privilege of participating in many conversations that have been steadily trying to transform how we talk about climate action and make sustainability a common conversation topic. I have been part of CauseBecause, a multifaceted sustainability-focused entity, that has been organising not-so-formal conversations across educational institutions, corporate groups, non-profits, and other communities to make climate action and sustainability a part of everyday chatter. Imagine this: You are at a gathering, and the conversation shifts from politics or the latest blockbuster to that of a new eco-friendly shirt you are wearing. Instead of just nodding along, you casually bring up your recent efforts to cut down on plastic or how you have started integrating more sustainable practices at home. You stimulate curiosity and subtly inspire others to at least think about their environmental footprint as well as responsibility.

Interestingly, everyone we at CauseBecause have met, spoken to, or exchanged notes with, is quite concerned and already aware of the basics, and many openly admit to being guilty of knowing but not doing. This is understandable because, more often than not, people simply don’t know what role they can play without disrupting their routines or their everyday way of life. Another common concern is the belief that one individual alone can’t possibly make a difference. How can a single person have any real impact on a global emergency? Picture this: a room full of people who usually spend their days navigating spreadsheets and back-to-back meetings, now animatedly discussing waste reduction and energy optimisation with enthusiasm. The energy is infectious, and ideas flow like water, the reusable kind, of course. They leave not only with strategies for their workplace, but also with a renewed sense of personal responsibility, inspired to start with at least one positive action at home.

This is the kind of ripple effect we should all be aiming for, weaving climate conversations into our everyday interactions as well as actions. Whether we’re planning a meal, going shopping or planning a vacation, we make climate action a natural part of our social fabric. It’s not about being preachy or sounding obsessive; it’s about normalising sustainability and encouraging others to think about their environmental impact. It’s about being open to sharing the eco-friendly choices we make and, more importantly, asking what more can be done, and how everyday actions can contribute to a larger change. It’s about having a consistent dialogue with ourselves, and the ones around us as well as the ones serving us, the companies, the brands that are providing us with products and services, the ones who are part of our everyday routines: starting from the toothbrush in the bathroom to clothes in the wardrobe to food in the fridge to almost everything we use or consume has a footprint, and it’s time we acknowledged that.

When conscious consumers start demanding sustainable products and services and hold companies accountable with the right questions, corporations will be compelled to accelerate their sustainability efforts. Many have already pledged to achieve net zero by 2040 to 2070 (though I wonder how many of us will be around then); now it's up to us to push them to meet these commitments sooner.

By merging our collective consciousness with collective action, we can drive the change we desperately need.

Let’s not sit back and watch the climate circus unfold with increasing drama. Let’s get in the ring, roll up our sleeves, and get some real skin in the game. Because if we don’t, the next act might just be too hot to handle or could very well wash us away. And trust me, no one wants to be the unintentional star of that show.

Ranjan Rayna

Ranjan is the co-founder of CauseBecause, a sustainability-focused media platform, and curator of Coffee for Cause, a conversation series for CSR and sustainability leaders. He is also the facilitator of the Silver Circle, a focused group of over 40 CSR professionals from major Indian companies and foundations.