On World Environment Day, June 5, the Green Society of India honored renowned philosopher and author Acharya Prashant with the “Most Impactful Environmentalist” award. The recognition celebrates his unique approach to environmentalism—one that blends deep spiritual insight with urgent climate action.
Acharya Prashant has been leading a nationwide movement to integrate spiritual clarity with environmental awareness, reaching millions across India. The Green Society praised his work in helping people adopt a more sustainable and conscious way of living.
In a compelling acceptance speech, Acharya Prashant urged the audience to look beyond policy and technology and examine the root cause of the climate crisis—human consciousness.
“The climate crisis is not just outside, it’s inside. The glaciers are melting because our minds are burning with greed. Oceans are rising because our desires know no bounds,” he said.
He questioned why environmental discussions often focus only on external elements—forests, rivers, air—without addressing the kind of mindset that causes environmental destruction in the first place.
“We talk about the Air Quality Index, but never the ‘Human Quality,’” he noted, critiquing the data-centric and often superficial approach to environmentalism.
Acharya Prashant also called out the self-serving mindset behind much of today’s environmental concern.
“If we were handed a new planet after destroying this one, most of us would forget about the environment instantly,” he warned.
To channel youth energy toward meaningful change, Acharya Prashant has launched “Operation 2030″—a nationwide initiative focused on ecological education, aligned with the UN’s climate goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C by 2030. The program seeks to develop a new generation of environmentally conscious leaders rooted in inner strength and responsibility.
At the heart of his ecological efforts is his Bhagavad Gita Teaching Program, which has reached over 100,000 participants and recently hosted the world’s largest online Gita-based spiritual examination. His teachings draw from Vedanta, Buddhism, existentialism, and Western philosophy, making them resonate deeply with students and scholars at institutions like UC Berkeley, IITs, IIMs, IISc, and AIIMS.
Closing his speech, Acharya Prashant left the audience with a powerful call to action:
“We are not running out of time—we’ve already run out. The only hope now is an inner revolution led by aware, courageous individuals. Nobody is going to save the planet. It starts with you.”
As the world marks another Environment Day, Acharya Prashant’s message reminds us that true environmental change doesn’t begin with a policy—it begins with personal transformation.
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