The urgency of addressing climate change has never been more evident. In the wake of the CLIMAFIX SUMMIT 2023, one session, in particular, stood out, titled “TITANIC SESSION.” This striking name encapsulates the pressing question posed by the session’s moderator: are we rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic while the ship of our planet sinks beneath us?
The session convened a diverse panel of climate tech experts, each offering their unique insights on sustainability, innovation, and the immense challenge of combating climate change. From this impactful discussion, we gather insights that not only shed light on the complexities of our situation but also present hopeful prospects for a more sustainable future.
Narasimhan Santhanam (Narsi), Director, EAI, moderated the session.
The Panel Participants were:
Mridula Ramesh – Chennai Angels
Satya Chakravarthy – IITM
K. Subramanian – Ashok Leyland
Dr. Sivaram Pillai – Proklean Technologies
Adaptation:
Mridula Ramesh, a prominent speaker in sustainability research, emphasized the importance of adaptation alongside mitigation efforts. Drawing attention to the inadequacy of current policies in addressing climate adaptation, she stressed the necessity of “lifeboats” to navigate the turbulent waters of climate change.
Leapfrogging:
Satya Chakravarthy, an advocate for leapfrogging to new technologies, highlighted the paradigm shift towards electrification and hydrogen as alternatives to carbon emissions. He emphasized the need for breakthrough innovations rather than incremental changes, citing the potential for massive efficiency gains in transportation with reimagined vehicle designs.
Rethinking Vehicle Design:
Subramanian echoed Satya’s sentiments, focusing on the inefficiencies in traditional vehicle design. He underscored the opportunity presented by electric vehicles to eliminate transmission losses and drastically improve energy efficiency. He argued that we can achieve significant reductions in energy consumption by challenging conventional thinking and embracing new approaches.
Economic Competitiveness:
Sivaram emphasized the importance of economic competitiveness in driving the widespread adoption of sustainable solutions. He underscored the need for green technologies to outcompete traditional alternatives on cost-effectiveness, urging startups and innovators to prioritize affordability alongside environmental impact.
In closing, it became clear that while challenges remain, a collective determination exists to solve the climate crisis. Urgency demands bold action and transformative measures, guided by insights from experts across various domains. By fostering innovation and collaboration, we can navigate the complexities ahead and steer humanity toward a more sustainable future.
