Last Updated:June 02, 2025, 15:46 IST
As we mark another year of environmental awareness, the message is clear: we don’t need to wait for sweeping policy shifts or technological breakthroughs
From food waste and fast fashion to e-waste and resource depletion, the signs are loud and clear: our current consumption habits are unsustainable.
As the world comes together to observe World Environment Day 2025 under the theme of “Responsible Consumption and Production,” the spotlight is firmly on Sustainable Development Goal 12—one of the most overlooked yet critical areas in the global sustainability conversation. From food waste and fast fashion to e-waste and resource depletion, the signs are loud and clear: our current consumption habits are unsustainable.
“Unfortunately, like most SDGs, the report card presents a dismal picture,” says Prof. Swapan Ray, Professor of Practice, Sustainability & Circular Economy, K J Somaiya Institute of Management. “Globally, over one billion tonnes of food is wasted—60% of it at the household level. At the same time, 30% of the global population experiences moderate to severe hunger.”
This paradox of abundance existing alongside deprivation—points to not just a failure of distribution but also a deeper flaw in how we value resources. “While there are technological solutions to improve productivity, storage, and distribution,” Prof. Ray continues, “socioeconomic and geopolitical factors compound the issue.”
The fashion and electronics industries mirror this crisis. With an estimated 100 billion garments produced annually, a shocking 90% are discarded within a year, and 20% are never worn. Add to that the growing mountains of e-waste, driven by consumers discarding perfectly functional devices in favor of new upgrades. “We are aggressively extracting natural resources to satisfy insatiable demand—yet generating waste far beyond our ecological capacity,” warns Prof. Ray. “Unless we rethink the way we consume and produce, we risk overwhelming our planet’s ability to recover.”
But large-scale solutions begin at the individual level. “Sustainability isn’t something we can outsource, it starts with the individual,” says Ankit Mathur, Co-founder & CEO, Greenway Grameen, a social enterprise focused on energy-efficient solutions. “It’s not just about switching to eco-friendly products; it’s about shifting how we think, buy, and live.”
He believes that small, mindful actions—like repairing instead of replacing, buying only what we need, and reducing waste in our homes—can compound into a powerful force for change. “Ask yourself: Do I really need this, or can I make what I have last longer? Real impact comes from everyday action,” he asserts. “Change doesn’t start big, it starts with better decisions, made consistently.”
As we mark another year of environmental awareness, the message is clear: we don’t need to wait for sweeping policy shifts or technological breakthroughs. The most powerful tool for sustainable transformation lies in the daily choices each of us makes—and in the collective culture of responsibility we build.
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
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