Astronauts Urge Students to Embrace Sustainable Living at Mumbai Climate Week

Mumbai, Feb 2026 : Viewing Earth from space dissolves the sense of countries, cities, and borders—what remains is a shared identity as one planet, said India’s first astronaut Rakesh Sharma and spacefarer Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently returned from a space station mission. They shared these reflections while addressing students at Mumbai Climate Week.

The inaugural Mumbai Climate Week witnessed a unique confluence of space, environment, and human responsibility as the two astronauts appeared together on the same stage for the first time during the special session “Saare Jahan Se Achha.” They were felicitated by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. Over 150 students from various schools participated and interacted directly with the astronauts. The session was moderated by senior journalist Gaurav Sawant.

Recalling his experience of observing Earth from space, Rakesh Sharma highlighted the grave impact of pollution. He noted a visible shift in the planet’s hue—from vibrant blue to increasing shades of grey—calling it not merely a visual change but a clear indicator of environmental distress. Forest fires, massive smoke plumes, and widespread pollution seen from space, he said, show that every human action has global consequences.

Sharma emphasized that Earth’s atmosphere shields life from harmful radiation, but human interference is weakening this protective layer. Deforestation, soil erosion, damage to marine life, and ecological imbalance create a chain reaction that accelerates climate change, he warned. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he said, “The Earth has enough for everyone’s needs, but not for everyone’s greed,” cautioning that excessive consumption, unequal resource distribution, and environmental damage in the name of development could fuel future conflicts. Sustainable development, global cooperation, and equitable resource sharing, he stressed, are keys to a peaceful future.

Drawing parallels from life in space, Sharma explained that every drop of water and every breath of air is recycled. “In space, sustainability is not an option—it is a necessity. The same approach is possible on Earth,” he said.

Addressing students, Shubhanshu Shukla shared three simple yet powerful mantras for sustainable living: avoid food waste, segregate dry and wet waste, and believe in the impact of small actions. With 1.4 billion people, he said, even small individual changes can create a massive collective impact. He cited space station practices where nearly 98% of water is recycled and air is continuously reprocessed, proving that sustainable living is achievable with habit changes.

Both astronauts highlighted international cooperation in space missions, underscoring that science and humanity transcend borders. The same collaborative spirit, they said, is essential for future space exploration and climate action on Earth.

In an interactive Q&A, students asked about space research, environmental protection, and career paths. The overarching message was clear: meaningful change begins with small, consistent actions—by each one of us.