I was born in India and have lived in the UK since the early 2000s. I hold a doctorate in Electrical Engineering.
What inspired you to act as a catalyst for sustainable practice? Is there a particular story you can share?
I am passionate about natural resources and how we as a community are using them. With climate change posing challenges to the communities worldwide, sustainability is a topic that dominates every country’s policy, objectives and implementation programmes.
For me personally, an ability to transform a community using a business idea is fascinating and most of my startup businesses have had strong focus in micro-finance, poverty alleviation and sustainability.
When I grew up, I noticed how monsoon season cyclones can destroy communities who have very little protection for their livelihood. As a result, the children especially face huge disruption in their education and it is something that struck me about the need to create resilience for everyone.
Can you tell me a bit about your work in the agricultural/ insurance industry via Agvesto?
Agvesto started with a mission to transform the way capital markets and insurance markets interact with Agriculture as a sector. We have mobilised alternative insurance protection products to farmers worldwide, to protect their crops and build resilience against climate related threats.
The biggest learning till date has been the ability for our business to be able to differentiate different parts of the agricultural value chain and crops, to create bespoke parametric insurance offerings.
Being South Asian, did you face any backlash about your career choice from family, friends or society at large?
Agvesto was born by blending the skills I have learnt with engineering, science, finance and technology towards sustainability and environment.
South Asians are known for their affinity towards food. So we had nothing but positive feedback from the family, friends and society to ensure that businesses enable farmers and food producers to achieve sustainability and longevity.
How have you actively changed your daily practice to be more sustainable?
Sustainability starts with the general recognition that the consumption of resources needs to be optimal and should come at a win-win basis. The resources we consume from the planet do have natural support systems and when they are under distress, our lives will change for the worse.
In order to ensure that we promote sustainability, we have not only adopted good business practice, but on a personal level I’ve made changes by:
Sourcing renewable energy supplies for my home
Practice recycling
Purchasing sustainable focussed food products and clothing.
Do you feel there is a stigma or lack of understanding of the climate crisis amongst South Asian communities? What do you believe the blockers to be and how would you go about solving the issues?
South Asian communities very much appreciate the need for climate resilience especially with recent floods in 2015 and 2017 in southern India and increased heatwaves and droughts. The priorities at a micro level still focus heavily on social sustainability i.e. communities.
With climate change at the forefront in recent years, the interlink between environmental and social sustainability has become stronger. At the consumer level, this awareness needs to be increased with policies that are SDG (sustainable development goal) focussed and also in long term resilience building.
You touched on change needing to be inclusive and relevant to each group of the population. How would you practically implement this?
I’d implement this by reaching lower socio-economic groups for example and empowering their lives by bringing capital and insurance to them, providing the protection everyone deserves. This is what drives Agvesto and my journey as an entrepreneur.
Implementation of ideas targeted towards rural and marginal group empowerment requires patience and business ability, to create simple minded innovations that work for them and are truly effective.
We spoke about your thoughts about the carbon-intensive nature of the Bollywood/Tollywood film industry – what are the solutions? Who needs to be engaged?
The movie and entertainment industry has been laggard in embracing sustainable practices compared to the other industries.
However, they have the potential to transform millions of lives with their messaging and appeal. There are opportunities to assist the entertainment industry with sustainable instruments, so that their overall contribution to the green economy in India can be increased. For this change to happen, active engagement needs to happen at an industry level.
What advice would you give to younger generations in relation to sustainability and the environment?
The younger generations have the advantage of learning various new trends and technological developments via the internet, faster than previous generations.
Their ability to appreciate the needs towards a sustainable planet for everyone will continue to be the most important theme in the coming years. If they are able to inspire the community around them with their talent, we as a nation will undoubtedly achieve our sustainable development goals.
I am a British Indian born in Malawi, educated in Zimbabwe and obtained my medical degree from the University of Leeds. Now I am a Consultant Paediatrician and Professor of Paediatrics, still working for the NHS after 50 years, to continue what I enjoy – looking after sick children and at the same time having a base from which not only can I draw a salary to support my projects, but also continue to strengthen my network to support these projects.
What inspired you to act as a catalyst for sustainable practice? Is there a particular story you can share?
I have been doing humanitarian work in over 20 countries over 25 years: www.miatwalsall.org.uk. In 2017 I broke my leg in a rural village in Malawi but unwisely carried on to finish my work.
When I returned to the UK, I had to have an operation and was off for five months with some of the time spent in the hospital, as I had developed sepsis. Whilst I was there, I watched the Blue Planet documentary series by David Attenborough, which was hugely eye opening. Then I noticed that the food that arrived from the catering department at the hospital was full of plastic containers, plates and cutlery. This is when I knew that something should be done by someone – and that was me!
What is WASUP? How did it come about?
Initially not many people were interested but slowly after 6 months I had a few people who I thought that I could work with – one of them was Balbir Seimar who is still with me on this campaign.
I soon created a working group of teachers, faith community leaders and a representative from the local council. It was at this meeting we came up with ‘WASUP’ – Walsall Against Single Use Plastic. My friendship with Aziz Tayub helped and his company brought the vision for the logo to life, with the posters and leaflets that followed. That was a huge start.
One year on, I had been to many schools, places of worship and businesses resulting in an official launch of WASUP, by the Lord Lieutenant to Her Majesty. By this time, we had set up a website, social media accounts and had regular canal clean ups.
At the launch, as more people and organisations from beyond Walsall were getting involved, I changed the name to World Against Single Use Plastic. The 4 principles of WASUP include:
Raising awareness in all sectors of the community (schools, businesses, places of worship etc) through talks, events and social media.
Educate children in schools about the dangers of plastic and teach them about recycling.
Litter picking both in streets and the waterways by all sectors of the community.
Putting pressure on manufacturers to use less plastic in their packaging or in some cases none.
How are you engaging the NHS and wider South Asian communities with the WASUP campaign?
As a result of WASUP, the CEO at the Manor Hospital appointed a Sustainability Manager who was astounded to find that all the plastic, litter and food was dumped into landfills. I had many meetings with various departments and now the procurement and the catering department are recycling more items and not much food is going to landfills, as discussions have taken place to redirect the waste to companies who use it to make energy.
In the catering department the first thing that happened was that plastic straws disappeared. Little Aston Hospital in Sutton Coldfield engaged even better and got rid of all single use plastic from the kitchen and the dining room. In both hospitals WASUP posters were put in strategic places and I gave talks to various departments on the 4 principles. Litter picks were planned by various departments once a week but then COVID-19 happened.
Through my huge network that I have built over 30 years in the community I was able to go to many Mosques, Gurdwaras and Mandirs, talking about the scourge of plastic, its dangers and how the communities could Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
One important example of Reuse is collecting pairs of glasses from various opticians and sending them to poor countries through my Charity – Midland International Aid Trust. I have now sent thousands.
I have been on various radio shows and Asian TV programmes talking to the audiences about WASUP and raising awareness about the single use plastic problem.
How have you actively changed your daily practice to be more sustainable?
Production of plastic involves burning fossil fuels, so not only is there microplastic entering our seas and thus food chain, but also the problem of carbon emissions from fossil fuels.
Simple things like cleaning and washing what is recyclable and putting it in appropriate bins, changing to drink more coffee than tea (some tea bags have plastic), using bars of soap instead of plastic soap containers are a few of the many changes I have made. Using less water and decreasing the amount of meat is a small step in decreasing my personal carbon footprint too.
Do you feel there is a stigma or lack of understanding of the climate crisis amongst South Asian communities?
Lack of understanding is one thing but apathy is another.
I’ve found it’s most difficult to engage with my own community of South Asians on this topic and unfortunately there is a common mindset that someone else will sort the problem. For example, talking to store keepers to decrease or stop the use of plastic bags has resulted in me being told they would lose customers.
What has made WASUP successful?
Leading it from the front and making personal visits to various institutions, including over 100 schools in the West Midlands gave WASUP huge credibility.
My friendship with a fellow DL who is Chairman of the Canal and River Trust led to regular canal cleans by various sectors of the community – where often the Asian communities weren’t present, but things are beginning to change slowly as greater awareness is occurring. There’s still a long way to go but as an organisation, we have conducted over 40 canal cleans and launched WASUP in Coventry, Worcester and soon Leicester.
Being a Deputy Lieutenant to Her Majesty Lord Lieutenant opened many doors in the West Midlands and beyond.
On one of my official visits I met the director of the Miss England pageant and our friendship took root and grew in strength. Now 15 Miss England finalists are working up and down the UK, promoting the 4 principles of WASUP and encouraging positive change.
It was through the Lord Lieutenant who is also the Chairman of the Commonwealth Games that WASUP was invited to be branded with the Commonwealth Games and therefore has a potential for reaching other 53 countries in the Commonwealth.
My continuing to spearhead it and not letting anyone interfere in the progress has been most important in the success of WASUP so far. I spend my own money that I donate to MIAT which then provides WASUP with financial support.
Having professional contacts, medical publications, global lectures and visiting various countries to volunteer, has all aided ‘WASUP’ – World Against Single Use Plastic to branch out; kickstarting the campaign in India, Pakistan, Kashmir, Indonesia, Malawi, Malaysia and South Africa, beyond just the UK.
The WASUP song, the very powerful website and now my book the Story of Three Bottles should go global. It is only £5.99 to buy and one can contact info@wasupme.com or profgatrad@wasupme.com for more information.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to younger generations in relation to sustainability and the environment?
They are the custodians of the planet that we have messed up, in more ways than one. They need to learn and tell others about the danger of plastic to the environment by Refusing, Reducing, Reusing and Recycling plastic.
Can you share one life story which has deeply impacted you?
An image that deeply touched me was a swan pulling out plastic from a canal to ensure its babies did not ingest any of it. I could almost hear the swan say to me ‘if you lot can’t do it – I will show you the way.’
We spoke to Zarina about her climate-equality based community projects, creating pathways for diverse groups in Scotland to have an active voice in sustainable solutions
What is your ethnic, academic and professional background?
I was born and brought up in Newcastle and moved to Scotland when I was 16. Both my parents were born in India and after the partition were displaced to Pakistan. I hold a BSc in Psychology from the University of Glasgow and worked briefly with the Education Department. However, for the last 10 years or more I have been working with diverse communities to help tackle climate change.
What inspired you to act as a catalyst for sustainable practice? Is there a particular story you can share?
As a child I was always one with nature, a child that spoke to plants. I believed that trees had souls (still do), never ate meat however, growing up I wasn’t aware that my passion for the environment would lead to a career in this field.
Approximately 15 years ago I was at crossroads in my life and knew that I wanted a career change, one that would allow me to follow one of my passions; either care for the environment or Psychology and human behaviour. I had to weigh up my options in terms of retraining, looking at costs involved and the time it would take to get into a job. After some consideration, taking into account all the factors, the environment sector won and that’s how I ended up following a career in this sector.
Can you tell me about your recent role at CEMVO? What sparked the choice in career change?
There was an incident at a Hustings where a candidate from a political party made a racist remark to me, the comment he made was “your kind don’t grow do they?”. This remark made me reflect on how white the environmental sector was.
At this time, I thought naively we lived in a society which was zero tolerant towards racism, we had moved away from a racist society and we were accepted and integrated into the wider society. Hence led me to working with a race equality organisation addressing both environmental justice and race justice.
My role developed into 4 main areas: a) I support BME community groups to develop climate change projects, help access the climate challenge fund and ensure projects are implemented and delivered well. b) I sit on a number of stakeholder and working groups which help influence policy change and decision making. c) I help to diversify the environmental sector and environmental NGOs through collaborative work and representation. d) I set up and run the Ethnic Minority Environmental Network across Scotland which provides peer to peer support, upskilling and training and opportunities for collaboration to individuals and organisations who are interested in environmental work.
Being South Asian, did you face any backlash from family, friends or society at large for choosing to take a niche/ unfamiliar path, particularly midway through your career? Has it been challenging?
The biggest backlash I’ve received, and this goes back to my childhood, was my choice of following a vegetarian/vegan diet which didn’t sit right within a Muslim family. Regarding a career path I think the biggest issue was that it was not a recognised or valued career. It took my mum years before she was able to explain to her friends what I actually did. Even some of my friends still struggle to conceptualise my job as it doesn’t fit in with a traditional or known career path.
Also being an environmentalist in the third sector isn’t a well-paid job, at least it’s clear that I do this job for passion and not money. Some people find this difficult to understand, as growing up we are taught that success is measured on a monetary level.
I think taking a step out of this competitiveness has its challenges as I can’t afford the same lifestyle as others but at the same time, I’m aware that I don’t want that lifestyle as it has environmental consequences.
What have been your biggest successes and learnings to date?
My biggest success and learnings are both linked as I have been fortunate to have been in a position to create space for many people across the country from various diverse backgrounds (age, ethnicity, gender, disability, sex, education and socioeconomic backgrounds) to have meaningful and relevant (to them) conversations on climate change.
From these conversations I have learned so much about the global impacts of climate change, traditional, religious and cultural sustainable practices, which have been passed down many generations. I’ve also learned about community resilience and adaptation to climate impacts and how there is still a lot to be learned from grassroot movements.
Never underestimate someone’s knowledge and ability to influence change.
How have you actively changed your daily practice to be more sustainable?
There are a few things that I try to do. I only buy items that I need, I’m not a fan of shopping, and I try to mend and repair as much as I can. I’m a vegetarian and have been for all my life with only limited dairy in my diet, therefore I do try to source produce locally and cook from scratch. I try to source items that have less plastic packaging and look for non-plastic alternatives. There are more things that I would love to do but access and affordability are huge barriers.
Do you feel there is a stigma or lack of understanding of the climate crisis amongst South Asian communities?
I don’t think there is a lack of understanding. In fact I think there is more understanding of what a climate crisis can actually look like within a South Asian context.
I think the issue is more to do with the narratives, discourse and jargon used by policy makers and campaigners which can come across unfamiliar, high level or irrelevant to South Asian communities.
What do you believe the blockers to be and how would you go about solving the issues?
Some of the blockers are the climate language and jargon which is used, especially terms like carbon emissions and carbon footprint. This is too abstract a concept unless you are a climate scientist, or your work involves measuring carbon impacts.
The other big blocker is embarrassment of and undervaluing of traditional sustainable behaviours, which have been passed down in South Asian communities. For example, reusing plastic ice cream or butter containers to store leftover food, growing your own herbs and vegetables in your front garden, no waste attitude – reusing and recycling wherever possible; however, these practices once in the west were looked down up i.e. perceived as behaviour of people who were unable to afford a better lifestyle. Unfortunately, a better lifestyle equated to overconsumption and a disposable society.
Being carbon conscious in a practical day-to-day sense can be quite costly – how can people easily and cost effectively make a difference? Do you think being sustainable is accessible to everyone?
If we consider small steps to sustainable lifestyles then this is accessible to all, however some of the bigger steps such as installing solar panels, driving an electric vehicle or even buying organic may exclude a lot of us, simply on the basis of affordability. The easy steps we can take are just trying to be conscious of what we buy, what we use and need and what we eat. Try and reduce our waste by buying less, recycling and reusing more. Sharing with others instead of competing with others.
You touched on feeling a lack of representation and your work since has been about amplifying voices and engaging more diverse communities. Can you tell me more about this and why it’s particularly important for there to be greater representation in the sector?
When I started out there was very little to no representation from any person of colour within the environmental sector.
A whole portion of society was being excluded from any discourse on climate change, mitigation, adaptation measures and looking at sustainable behaviours and lifestyle.
If we live in a democratic society, surely all people should be included and opportunities for all voices to be heard should be created.
Firstly, it is important to recognise that one approach for certain communities will not be fit for another community. Secondly acknowledge that there is diversity within diversity; having one person from a BME background to represent the views of all the ethnically diverse communities of the country, is simply not good enough nor is it appropriate or fair.
Then there is the issue of climate justice – those that are being most impacted by climate change are the ones least contributing, but also have the least power to influence change.
Climate justice is also a racial justice issue similar to what we have unfortunately seen over the recent months with the pandemic. If we want systemic and structural changes, we need to see and have different diverse voices around the table.
What advice would you give to younger generations in relation to sustainability and the environment?
Firstly, you need to understand how we are connected to nature and the environment in order to understand where our produce, clothing and other consumable items come from. Look at nature-based solutions not just techno fixes going forward. Secondly, become active citizens, realise that you have power and are able to influence change by using your voice and actions, become more politically involved, don’t shy away from being involved in campaigning and activism. Lastly don’t be passive consumers become conscious consumers and try not to be influenced by fast trends or buy into the disposable culture.
You’ve had much exposure to government processes in place, working on policies and engaging with grass-root organisations. Based on your experience, what do you believe the most important and effective methods are to have the largest climate impact?
For me being interconnected in terms of dialogue and action is important i.e. policy makers, communities, industries and academics should all be working side by side, sharing knowledge and experience.
We should work less in silos and work more collaboratively to find solutions that fit the needs of society.
Communities should be adequately resourced if they are expected to take local action. Adding to this, I also think it is important to act locally but think globally, we are connected to other parts of the world and what we do here does have an impact somewhere, our carbon emissions contribute to global warming – the UK is not in a bubble.
Your example of actively using ‘positive environmental change’ rather than ‘behaviour change’ is really striking. Why do you believe our choice of language is important?
The language we use is important as this is our main means for communicating and bringing people together however, it can also lead to pushing people away. Simply put, language can be inclusive or exclusive.
In the UK and indeed in the West, the narrative on climate change and sustainable behaviours very much focusses on “behaviour change”. From my experience of working with communities this terminology isn’t helpful because people become very defensive when they hear behaviour change.
With the narrative of change as the premise, you are telling someone that how they previously lived and behaved was wrong and now they are going to be told how to live and behave better. The agency over their choices is not taken into consideration. Therefore, simply using a term such as “positive action” is more likely to result in people embracing change and steps to a better world for all.
Can you share one life story which has deeply impacted you?
Early in my career I was working with a Muslim woman’s group and engaging them with activities to build their understanding of climate change. One day I was taking this group out on a trip to see a demo house with a number of energy efficiency measures adapted into its construction.
One of the elderly ladies (probably in her 70’s) thanked me. I thought it was for taking them out for the day on a trip, but she said it was for raising awareness about climate change. Her son is a frontline journalist who was posted out in Pakistan and covered stories about the floods caused by the ice melting on the Himalayas, which in turn caused huge devastation.
Many lives and homes were lost as a result of the vast amount of water and ice sheets hitting villages. She told me there were weeks, even months when she would not hear from her son and would worry that one day she would get the sad news of him passing away. She knew this was because of climate change and wanted others to be more aware and realise through our actions we can change these outcomes.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I also think it is important to be connected to nature, be aware of our ecosystem, and understand the role we play within this system. Unfortunately, colonisation and capitalism have removed us further and further away from our connection to the land. Only when we fully appreciate this, will we stop exploiting resources and relearn how to live as one with the planet.
Find out more about Zarina and connect with her on Instagram and LinkedIn
South Asians for Sustainability 