Mahatma Gandhi on clean air and water, renewable energy and rain water harvesting

In his book  “Ecology, Colonialism and Cattle : Central India in the Nineteenth Century” Professor Laxman D Satya quoted from a district gazetteer where one British official wrote in October 1869, the year in which Mahatma Gandhi was born, that climate in central India changed drastically when vast tracts of forest land was cleared for cultivation of cotton. Such observations of an British official in October 1869 concerning reasons behind climate change assumes critical significance for our time when global warming and climate change has posed danger to the whole humanity and former Secretary of State of the USA John  Kerry described it as the most fearsome weapons of mass destruction. It is fascinating that in 1869 when Mahatma Gandhi took birth origin of climate change was traced to clearance of forests and loss of vegetation. It was Mahatma Gandhi who had prophetically linked the life style based on incessant multiplication of wants and desires to danger on environment and planet earth. He wrote in 1931 that ““The incessant search for material comfort and their multiplication is such an evil and I make bold to say that the Europeans themselves will have to remodel their outlook, if they are not to perish under the weight of the comforts to which they are becoming slaves.” 

When we are celebrating Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary the issue of global warming and climate change is being reflected deeply and the measures to address it are being taken on a global scale. The change of life style of  the Europeans which Gandhi underlined in 1930s to save them from the weight of comforts is now underlined to save humanity and planet earth from the horrible consequences of a life style which uses too much of energy and generates toxic fumes polluting the atmosphere and absorbing carbon dioxide and green house gases. The Nicolas Stern Committee Report from the U.K. on Economics of Climate Change also underlined the same point when it observed that at the current rate of consumption of resources and energy of the planet, mankind would require more than one planet for survival. The Stern Committee Report therefore stressed on reduction of green house gas emissions by remodeling life style and by transiting from a carbon economy to a non-carbon economy. So what was suggested by Mahatma Gandhi in 1931 is being seriously taken up in twenty first century. 

Mahatma Gandhi on Air Pollution 

It is instructive that the independence of India was seen by Mahatma Gandhi not only in terms of liberation from British rule but also in terms of environmental issues. I think the struggle for independence of India under his leadership  was the first struggle in human history which flagged critical issues which are now central to sustainable development. 

It is educative to note that Mahatma Gandhi while spearheading the first Satyagraha in South Africa in 1913 observed that   in modern civilisation access to clean air involved some cost and expenses. In his illuminating write up  "Key to Health" which had a separate chapter on Air he observed that the  structure of the body needed  three kinds of nourishment: air, water and food and of these  air constituted  the most essential aspect. Stating  that "Nature has provided it to such extent that we can have it at no cost" he noted with anguish" But modern civilization has put a price even on air. In these times, one has to go off to distant places to take the air, and this costs money ". In twenty first century, people, to get clean air are moving away from cities and to the areas rich with vegetation. 

It is illuminating to note that on 1st January 1918, hundred years back, Gandhiji  while addressing a meeting in Ahmedabad defined independence of India in terms of three elements- Air, Water and Grain. What he did in 1918 is being done by law courts to explain right to life in terms of right to clean air and water and adequate food. 

Yet again in late 1930s he defined democracy in terms of access of all citizens to pure air and water.  All such understanding of Gandhi on air more than hundred years back and his contextualisation of clean air by referring to modern civilisation, independence of India and democracy make his ideas so contemporary for twenty first century world grappling to uphold sustainability wholly, substantially  and in full measure.

Mahatma Gandhi on afforestation and water security 

The discussion of Mahatma Gandhi and Sustainable Development would be incomplete without referring to the burning issue of water scarcity in the world. Twenty first century has been described as the most water stressed century in the world. Water famines across the world may cause conflicts among nations. If not controlled and dealt with in a fair and equitable manner the water scarcity problem may give rise to another world war reminiscent of other world wars over resources and other trading and commercial interests. It is in this context that Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas need to be recollected and put into practice.

During our struggle for independence he referred to the water famine occurring in the Kathiawar region of Gujarat   ruled by many princes. To address the issue of acute shortage of water he advised all the princely States to form a confederation and take long term measures for planting trees in vast tracts of land. He opined that afforestation on a large scale constituted the most effective step to face the water crisis. The twenty-first century world need to follow his words with utmost seriousness. The British rulers who treated forests as a source of revenue hardly understood their relevance from the point of view of ecology and sustainable development. Their approach was a byproduct of the exploitation of natural resources regardless of its consequences for the common people and environment.

Mahatma Gandhi on Rain Water Harvesting 

Tuning himself with the common people whom he called “the dumb millions” he also suggested in a prayer meeting in Delhi in 1947 for harvesting rain water and using it for irrigational purposes to avoid famines and food shortages. The M.S. Swaminathan Commission for Farmers in its report submitted to the Prime Minister in 2006 recommended to harvest rain water for addressing the problem of irrigation affecting our farmers. Now rain water harvesting is being made mandatory in towns and cities of India by several development authorities.  

Mahatma Gandhi was far ahead of his times in grappling with challenges to planet earth arising out of a life style which multiplied wants and desires and left no stone unturned to satisfy them. At a time when mankind is facing the dangerous prospects of getting annihilated due to accelerating pace of global warming it is important to rediscover Gandhiji’s ideas and put them into practice. It is heartening that in many parts of the world people are getting inspired by his ideals and taking appropriate action. It was best reflected in the initiative taken in Germany to establish Green Party and pursue policies consistent with nature and ecology. One of the founders of Green Party Ms. Patra Kelly admirably summed up the impact of Mahatma Gandhi in forming the party when she wrote the following:

“In particular area of our work we have been greatly inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. That is in our belief that a life style and method of production which rely on endless supply of raw materials and which use those raw materials lavishly, also provide motive force for violent appropriation of raw materials from other countries. In contrast a responsible use of raw materials as part of an ecologically oriented life style and economy reduces the risk that policies of violence will pursue.”

Mahatma Gandhi and Renewable Source of Energy 

Apart from understanding  independence of India rom the perspectives of clean air, clean water and grain,  Mahatma Gandhi stressed on harnessing energy from wind and solar rays. In doing so he provided leadership in sensitizing people about the importance of renewable and non-conventional energy sources which are now considered as key to sustainable development free from emission of toxic fumes and carbon absorbing gases. It is rather illuminating to note that he reposed profound faith on village people in taking up the  cause of generating electricity from wind mills. He did so on June 4, 1942 while interacting with Louis Fischer and remarked that  India would give to the world a new order based on decentralization. Then he added that  seven hundred thousand dollars kept in the Imperial Bank of India could be destroyed by a bomb from a Japanese plane and forcefully stated  that  if those  dollars were distributed among the seven hundred thousand shareholders in villages , they might then build windmills or produce electricity or whatever they liked. It constituted a far reaching idea concerning decentralized approach to harness energy from wind mills. 

Almost five years later i.e.  on 6th January 1947, speaking in  a prayer meeting in Chandipur, Gandhiji expressed his desire to impart instructions to village people on a few essential things, as for example, " how to get pure water in the villages....how best to utilize the soil from which we have sprung, how to breathe in life’s energy from the infinite sky above our head, how to draw fresh life from our surroundings and how best to use the sun’s rays". 

His emphasis, among others, on use of sun rays by the village people eight months before independence of India underlined his desire to harness solar rays for access of people to energy and nation building. Such extraordinary vision of Mahatma Gandhi articulated even before India was liberated from foreign rule made him one of the earliest protagonists and champions of renewable energy. On juxtaposing his vision with the recent initiatives of India to establish the International Solar Alliance which has been ratified by 44 countries across the globe we realize the enduring significance of Gandhi in taking forward the cause of ecologically oriented method of production which would promote the ideals of non-violence.  

Such a vision provides the remedy to create a new civilization the foundation of which is based on innovation and above all on discipline, restraint, morality and justice. It is heartening to note that the recent literature being brought out in the western world is eloquently following the vision of Mahatma Gandhi. A book “Surviving the Century: Facing Climate Chaos” edited by Professor Herbert Girardet and brought out by the World Future Council stresses on measures suggested by Mahatma Gandhi in the beginning of the twentieth century. The book argues for an approach which would speak for the earth community. It suggests that such an approach can be devised if we become non-violent, respect nature, follow the path of sustainable development and ensure justice to the poor. All those aspects remained central to Mahatma Gandhi’s life and work. There is slow but sure realization that by following Gandhiji’s ideals we can survive the century. The line of argument which attempts to speak for the earth community essentially recaptures the immortal and eloquent words of Mahatma Gandhi that earth has enough for fulfilling everybody’s need but not anybody’s greed. These words constitute the sum and substance of sustainable development. There is no alternative to such a world view. The Time Magazine in its 9th April 2007 issue came out with 51 Global Warming Survival Guides. The 51st Guide earnestly suggests to share more, consume less and simplify life. In other words the Time Magazine, one of the mouth pieces of the western world, is turning to Mahatma Gandhi to save the world from the danger of extinction caused by global warming. It is a measure of Mahatma Gandhi’s enduring and deeper significance in the context of attempts to protect the planet earth. It is therefore indispensable to rediscover his writings and comprehend them to further the cause of sustainable development.

Shri Sahu served as Officer on Special Duty and Press Secretary to President of India late Shri K.R.Narayana and served as Director in Prime Minister’s Office and Joint Secretary in Rajya Sabha Secretariat.