Articles by Vamsi Shankar Kapilavai

The winds are warmer, the rains are more erratic, and the oceans whisper warnings we can no longer ignore. In this age of climate urgency, our greatest hope lies not just in technology but in leadership that understands the Earth’s cry. Climate action is no longer optional, and the very people crafting policies must be well-informed. But what if they aren't? A first-of-its-kind study in Tamil Nadu by Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG) takes us into the minds of our lawmakers, not to question their intentions, but to understand their climate readiness. The study assessed 20 Members of…

Tree leaves, bamboo, lotus leaves, palm leaves, rice straw, gourds, hemp twine, coconut shells and shells of shellfish are some of the natural materials that were used for packaging in the olden days. It was common at the turn of the century, for all items purchased, whether cooked or prepared, to be wrapped using indigenous materials, so as to preserve their freshness, prevent pollution, protect them from damage and store leftovers. Our parents and grandparents frequented small local kirana stores with steel dabbas to get flour and spices. Fast-forward to the present scenario, finding stores where you're able to purchase…

We’ve likely seen coloured garbage bins in malls, airports and so on. The bin colour indicates, of course, what kind of trash we should put where, based on whether it's food waste or recyclable waste. Many a time, I have stood in front of these bins and wondered where to put the coffee cup and the little styrofoam container. Are they the same material? Are they both recyclable? Manufacturers must step up! For years the burden of dealing with plastic disposal has been with the consumer. We are told to reduce, reuse, and recycle while the manufacturers who sell us…