Actor Abhay Deol launches H.O.P.E, a startup initiative celebrating green warriors

In an interview with TNM ahead of the launch, Abhay Deol spoke about his journey in adopting environment-friendly practices.
Actor Abhay Deol launches H.O.P.E, a startup initiative celebrating green warriors
Actor Abhay Deol launches H.O.P.E, a startup initiative celebrating green warriors
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Bollywood actor Abhay Deol has made a mark not just for his films, but also for the unconventional things he does. From calling out his peers in the Hindi film industry for supporting and endorsing fairness creams in 2017, to earnestly advocating an eco-friendly lifestyle, the actor wears many hats. And on June 5, World Environment Day 2019, he launched Humans of Planet Earth – H.O.P.E – an initiative by B:Live, a Goa-based eco-tourism startup, that focuses on electric vehicles or EV tourism.

H.O.P.E is a platform that celebrates, features and collaborates with green warriors and initiatives across India. In an interview with TNM ahead of the launch, Abhay spoke about his journey in adopting environment-friendly practices.

Asked if he was an environment-conscious person, Abhay said, “It's difficult not to be environment-conscious when the devastating effects of climate change are in plain sight. From weather extremities, to our cities taking top spots in the list of the most polluted, it certainly has driven home the point quite strongly that we MUST act because today is already almost too late!”

He added that in order to practice what he preaches, he tries to be eco-friendly 24/7 as much as possible. “I don’t associate with companies that pollute our environment, I reduce my carbon footprint at work and at home too.”

Abhay asserted that eco-consciousness must begin at home – his home in Goa has rainwater harvesting, solar panels and practices of composting wet waste while recycling dry waste. However, to those who may not have the resources to pursue green technology just yet, the Chopsticks actor maintained that no step is too small.  

“[…] Certainly don’t ignore seemingly smaller actions that can have overall bigger impact. Like planting more trees where we can, creating a nurturing environment for birds and animals, switching off appliances when not in use, car-pooling to work – which actually saves you money – not wasting water, recycling and disposing of garbage correctly, saying no to plastic… there are many such measures that are easy and don’t cost you anything at all,” he said.  

Speaking about H.O.P.E, Abhay said that it took him no time to come on board because it was a cause close to his heart. He hopes that seeing individuals and companies going the green way on the platform will inspire others to do the same.

The actor is also aware of the power and influence that come with being a celebrity, which is why he wants to support green initiatives. “I’m grateful that my career has made it possible for me to lend a voice to the green causes I believe in. I would have followed this way of life no matter what career I had pursued. So, if even one person takes up an eco-friendly way of life or starts trying because of what I say or do, it will be worth it,” Abhay told TNM.

The actor also hopes that more celebrities would come on board and support sustainable and eco-friendly brands and initiatives. “One good way to use their clout would be for them to engage the brands they endorse to take some action towards reducing their carbon footprint. For example, a dialogue can be started with companies who make colas to package them only in glass bottles. The logic being that unlike water, colas add no nutritional value to our bodies and the plastic containers further pollute the environment. You drink it for the taste and for the energy (unlike water which is a necessity), why not do it without harming the planet as well?”

“Having the brands they (celebrities) endorse look out for people who are inventing green technologies and solutions to fund and establish them could be another avenue towards a greener lifestyle,” Abhay added. “This is all very new and I don’t have the answers. But we can start looking for them by asking the questions!”

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