Hope for the Future?

Abstract

you were one of the activists who scaled the roof of the British parliament in 2009, unfurling a banner that asked British politicians to 'Change the Politics, Save the Climate'. What was it like up there? It was absolutely outstanding. The action happened around the same time that the anniversary of the protest at the Kingsnorth coal-fired power station was approaching. We scaled the roof of the British Parliament. For me that was a life-changing experience. It was also a very big story for India. It was sending out a very bold statement-there's an Indian on the roof of the British Parliament! I was taking action in the UK, but I was also getting involved in actions in my own country, telling my own government that we need to cut down coal. In 2007, you climbed a coal-fired power plant in India and painted 'Smoking Kills' on the chimney. Climate change issues are close to your heart, aren't they? Yes. I would love to see India become an example for the rest of the world when it comes to implementing decentralised renewable energy. I want the Energy [R]evolution to start from India. We are located in a place with a lot of sunlight. We're a developing country; we need the energy. We know we don't have much coal. I want our politicians to take notice – and Greenpeace can play an important role in making them take notice. Right now, the dominant thinking is that when it comes to development, there are a certain parameters set in stone for developing countries. We don't have to follow these parameters! In fact, if we do, everyone is going down the drain. There's an alternative. We have to learn from the mistakes that have been committed by many western countries – and really rethink the way we produce and consume energy. Change has to start somewhere. Why not in India? In September 2011, Greenpeace India will celebrate its 10th birthday. What does it mean for you to have Greenpeace in India? India has a history of civil disobedience that goes back to Mahatma Gandhi. In a land that gave birth to civil disobedience and non-violent direct action, it's fantastic to have an organisation that works on these basic principles. Greenpeace is working in India – and that means a lot. It provides a lot of people out there with a chance to act …