In a world overwhelmed by big crises, one woman chose small, quiet battles – teaching children to care for the earth, one mindful act at a time.

By Shweta Agarwal

I get climate anxiety. Five years ago, I stopped reading the news. Because I chose to work where I could actually make a difference. I chose my battleground.

Children. Education. The environment around me.

But lately, the world feels heavier. Wars, disasters, rising tensions… and I’ve found myself reading the news again.

Caught myself asking: When will this war end? What environmental damage is it creating: What kind of world are we leaving for Gen Z, for our children, for those not even born yet?

And then there’s the irony of daily life.

A war is happening somewhere in the world… and I’m standing in a shop telling the shopkeeper not to use plastic.

He laughs and says, “Ye jo bomb se pollution kar raha hai…. ek plastic se kya ho jayega?”

My battles are so tiny… like asking myself again:

Should I switch on the AC or not – will it really make any difference?

Keeping Unmukt Eco-friendly

Teaching children to care for the Earth.

Encouraging love, empathy, responsibility.

Does it matter in the face of global crises?

To the activists, leaders, and people who fight systems… Do your best!

I tried that path once. I realised I’m not as brave as you.

So, I chose something else.

To work quietly with children.

To nurture care for the Earth every single day.

Maybe one Shweta cannot change the planet.

But billions of conscious humans can. If billions of people (𝘂𝘀) start living a little more thoughtfully:

using daylight instead of artificial light,

reducing waste,

smiling more,

spending time with children,

choosing empathy over anger…

That will still create change.

So, in these difficult times, don’t underestimate small actions.

Don’t spread fear.

Don’t spread misinformation.

𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀.

One person may not make a difference.

But billions of us will.

And someday, when our children ask what we did for this planet,

We will be able to say: We did what we could.

Shweta Agarwal is founder and CEO of Unmukt Foundation that works among children from underserved communities of Bhubaneswar, Odisha.