Every party in India has been hostile to environmental sustainability: Ramachandra Guha

“Speaking with Nature: The Origins of Indian Environmentalism” by historian Ramachandra Guha explores the lives and ideas of 10 early environmental thinkers in India. These thinkers, spanning a century of Indian history, combined a concern for environmental sustainability with social justice, offering a counterpoint to Western-driven environmental narratives. The book highlights the need to address human struggles and inequalities intertwined with nature. Guha emphasizes the enduring relevance of these thinkers’ ideas in addressing today’s environmental challenges, from climate change to rapid urbanization. While there are limitations in the inclusion of women and marginalized voices, the book serves as a valuable history of environmentalism prior to the climate change narrative, calling for a more diverse and inclusive exploration of grassroots movements. The challenges facing environmentalism in India today include political hostility, industrial and infrastructural development, and the need for sustainable, decentralized approaches to development. Despite these challenges, there is hope in the emergence of a new wave of young environmental thinkers who are more aware and passionate about environmental issues.