Facing up to environmental change

Conflicts of interest

Author- Sunita Narain

Publisher- Viking, Rs 599

Particularly at a time when the residents of even the National Capital are thinking about moving to a different place to escape the poisonous air, this book offers just the right dose of introspection, writes VV SUNDAR

Conflicts of Interest by Sunita Narain is a hard-hitting book about the author’s trials and tribulations and her personal journey through India’s green movement. The book exposes the underlying divides, dogmas, double standards, myopia and contradictions inherent in the environmental agenda and the policies of our country. The environmental problems tackled in the book are contemporary and part and parcel of our lives, making it that much more relatable. Be it the air pollution, cola wars, climate change, water crisis, or the pesticides debate.

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), where the author works, has waged several battles against the high and mighty of the land and brought to the fore several environmental issues facing the nation. The institutions work has not only mainstreamed environmental discourse but their vigilance and activism has led to the environmental baptisation of the country. The book synthesizes the work done by the author and CSE in the last two decades in the environmental activism and policy space. The author sharers that some environmental battles have been won and some lost, but much more needs to be done.

The reader gets a ring-side view of the politicians, actors and other forces often working at cross purposes to scuttle relevant issues, sideline problems, and manufacture truths. The author calls it ‘the dialogue of the deaf’. On the side of private interests is established science, which is well considered and easy to accept. On the side of the defenders of public science is knowledge, which is challenged and contested. In a country which remains scientifically illiterate in terms of public discourse and policy, how will this battle between unequals ever reach a fair conclusion, she asks.

The book convincingly argues that environmental degradation is a great equalizer and doesn’t discriminate between rich and poor. Together, they are short on time when it comes to fixing environmental problems. In this area, their destinies are intertwined.

The chapter on air pollution makes for an interesting read, particularly for the residents of Delhi as the city is choking. The author points to the anomaly about the existing road infrastructure in the country comparing it to some kind of a class system at work. She says, “only those who move in a car have road rights. Anyone who walks or cycles is poor, wretched and destined to be marginalised, if not obliterated”.

However, that might not be completely accurate. Yes, one can argue that the reason for the ‘car bulge’ in our cities is that comfort and convenience have won over the environmental concerns. But there’s more to it. Car is such a preferred option because a large section of people just wants to escape the drudgery of transport. Unlike the metro train service in a handful of cities, not all the public transport is efficient or even safe. So, those who can somehow afford buy their own cars and those who can’t still aspire to buy one so that they don’t have to depend on the overburdened and underserviced public transportation system.

We don’t need to ‘rework’ just the road space; we also need to rework minds. Several European cities are compact and the roads are mostly single lane. Trams, cyclists, pedestrians, taxis, cars and trucks all thoughtfully negotiate the same very limited and finite spaces on the roads. Surely, it is not about space as much as our mindsets, and our cultural and social conditioning. The moot point is, one needs to question not only the lack of imagination of our urban planners but also the tardy investment in viable, end-to-end multi-modal public transportation in the country to reduce the car bulge and the associated pollution. The reigning indiscipline and lack of adherence to rules that is leading to this urban chaos on the roads is a social malice and needs to also be dealt with firmly.

The chapter on ‘Endosulfan’ paints a grim and disturbing tale of the mindless overuse and misuse of pesticides prevalent in our country leading to poisoned land and diseased people. The section on cola wars is a gripping story on how such the widely consumed and seemingly innocuous colas were found contaminated with toxins. It came as a bolt from the blue that shook the national conscience and lead to intense and furious public reaction.

The author narrates the conviction and courage required to take the battle hands on with two very powerful global cola companies. In a resounding indictment, the author says, modern science fails us — “Even though it has created modern toxins, it is slow on generating knowledge about the impact of these toxins and pollutants on our bodies and our environment”. She writes, “In this world of industry, the onus is on us to prove our death in the face of an evident murder”.

The issue of climate change is addressed in depth and sheds light on the hegemony of the western powers and how the poor and developing countries are still getting a raw deal. The chapter on tiger conservation is a must read for conservation enthusiasts. It shows how often we are missing the wood for the tree. The chapter brings to the fore fundamental flaws in the conservation efforts in the country. Another section on Water and Waste wars is very relatable to the reader and unravels the political economy behind it. It points to inefficient methods being deployed, leading our cities into further mess.

However, towards the end of the book, a more concrete blueprint to achieve environmental sustainability goals would have enriched the readers perspective further.

The themes interwoven in the book serve as a reminder of the debilitating impacts that environmental degradation can have if we don’t work towards finding inclusive solutions and ‘do things differently’. The book is a useful guide for those interested in environmental issues facing the country. It provides necessary background and contexts and presents the interplay of various conflicts of interests. The author’s determination in furthering the green movement makes for an evocative reading. This 227-page book will serve you as a good resource on the key environmental challenges, dogmas and discourses facing the nation. It is a book written with flair, simplicity, and lucidity.

The reviewer is a communications and management professional with cross-sectoral experience