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Sewa International's Green Summit: Small Steps, Big Impact

On April 26, 2025, Sewa International hosted its first virtual Green Summit, titled "Small Steps, Big Impact." The event attracted over 150 participants and featured influential panelists from leading environmental organizations. The summit aimed to inspire attendees to recognize the importance of individual action in creating a more sustainable future.

Connecting Humanity with Nature

The summit's opening panel addressed the relationship between clean energy and ocean health. Moderated by Rakhi Israni, the Vice President of Government Relations at Sewa International, the conversation laid emphasis on how humanity's fate is interconnected with the health of our planet.

Laura Bartsch, a Strategic Advisor at the Carbon League, discussed the possibilities of achieving 100% clean energy, despite facing considerable governmental hurdles. She advocated for the utilization of offshore wind energy, notably mentioning Rhode Island as the pioneer in installing ocean-based wind turbines. Bartsch highlighted the effectiveness of local initiatives, such as New York City’s congestion pricing, which not only reduces traffic but promotes cleaner energy, including electric and hydrogen-powered buses, largely funded by the generated revenue.

She encouraged focusing on policy rather than politics, promoting small local changes such as the addition of bike lanes to foster sustainable urban environments.

In parallel, Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy, the CEO of the World Ocean Council, elaborated on the oceans' essential role in carbon capture and climate regulation. He pointed out that marine industries, such as shipping and fishing, need to transition from merely minimizing environmental damage to actively restoring marine ecosystems. He cautioned against superficial environmental claims by corporations, urging consumers to critically evaluate such assertions to ensure genuine, impactful change.

Youth Engagement and Community Initiatives

The summit showcased young leaders like Ira Gramopadhye and Lipika Devara, who shared practical insights into sustainability. Devara highlighted essential composting techniques to minimize household waste, while also addressing sustainability challenges.

Jennifer Cole and Rashmi Prabhu discussed waste management improvements and the environmental impact of fast fashion. Rohit Deshpande emphasized community involvement, showcasing Sewa's SERVE program, which organizes events like cleanups and tree planting activities.

A Call to Action

As the summit came to a close, the panelists urged participants to adopt simple yet consistent lifestyle changes. By encouraging participants to eliminate bottled water usage and engage in discussions about environmental stewardship, they aimed to cultivate larger transformations in collective behavior.

Youth participation was highlighted as critical to successful advocacy efforts. The leaders empowered the younger generation to raise awareness, engage policymakers, and remain steadfast in their commitment to environmental conservation.

About Sewa International

Sewa International is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization guided by Hindu values, focusing on improving the quality of life through disaster recovery, education, and development efforts. With 43 chapters nationwide, Sewa exemplifies a commitment to serving diverse populations irrespective of race, color, or background.

For more information, please visit www.sewausa.org.

Contacts:
Rakhi Israni - +1 (832) 419-7105
Vidyasagar Tontalapur - +1 (949) 414-6624
Email: [email protected]