4 min readBakuNov 12, 2024 06:12 PM IST
First published on: Nov 12, 2024 at 10:30 AM IST
Excessive emphasis on a forceful energy transition was generating pushbacks that are exemplified by the election of Donald Trump in the United States, Indian spiritual leader Sadhguru said, while arguing for more nature-based interventions for the climate crisis.
Attending the COP29 meeting here in Baku, Sadhguru said the world was still not fully appreciative of the large benefits of efforts like soil regeneration and organic farming that can be done with minimal investments.
“We are continuously talking about eliminating fossil fuels. Yes, it must happen. The shift needs to take place. But it is not going to happen just because we wish so. There have to be significant technological innovations. The world is not going to give up oil simply because you or I say it is not good. Substantive alternatives have to emerge,” Sadhguru said in an interview with The Indian Express.
“I am not saying we should continue to burn fuels whichever way we want. We have to transition to cleaner energy, of course. But are we willing to risk our economic well being to do this? No, no on is willing to give up their lifestyles, or standard of living. So the transition would have to be enabled by transformative technologies. They do not happen overnight… Right now, there is excessive carbon talk, and it is creating a pushback, people are reacting… the US elections. This is the problem of doing anything in excess. The pushback will come,” he said.
Sadhguru said while natural disasters exacerbated by climate change was killing large number of people, another silent disaster that was not being adequately noticed was in the damage done to the soil.
“The greatest disaster unfolding is the death of the soil, soil extinction. It is a problem across the world. Today, the organic content in soil in India is about 0.62 per cent, which is death. Anything below 1 per cent is considered desertification. You know, the top soil, the first 15-18 inches of it, nurtures about 60 per cent of life on the planet. Soil is about nurturing fundamental, foundational life. It is so rich, and yet so fragile. And we are damaging this. I think the estimate is something like we are desertifying about 10 per cent of our Earth every 15 years or so,” he said.
He said this trend needed to be reversed immediately.
“If you raise the organic content of soil to anywhere between 3 and 6 per cent, the life of farmer will change across the world. A minimum of three per cent organic content is a must,” he said, lamenting that modern agricultural practices were not sustainable.
“I am not against adding a little bit of chemicals to the soil. It is like taking vitamins. If you are taking a vitamin pill, it is not a problem. But if you are only taking pills and not eating well, then I am concerned. That is the state with our soil right now. We are only putting chemicals without any organic content,” he said.
Sadhguru also said human population was growing beyond sustainable levels now.
“At the time of India’s independence, the average life expectancy was about 28-30 years in our country. Now, it is about 70-72. It is a fantastic thing that human beings are living longer. We have postponed death. But to maintain the balance, should we also not be postponing birth? It is already happening. Earlier, women of age 15-16 would give births, these days the first child is born at may be 22 or 23, or even later. This is right because otherwise our populations will multiply like crazy,” he said.
Sadhguru said while natural disasters exacerbated by climate change was killing large number of people, another silent disaster that was not being adequately noticed was in the damage done to the soil. (Express file photo by Pradip Das) 
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