Bhumi Pednekar at the Versova beach clean-up with Afroz Shah

Bhumi Pednekar to kick off pro-environment social media campaign; opening episode dedicated to Versova beach clean-up activist Afroz Shah
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 13, 2019)

She lent her voice to the climate change crisis as she participated in the global climate strike in Mumbai last month. Now, in a bid to raise awareness on environmental conservation and global warming, Bhumi Pednekar is set to spearhead a social media campaign, Climate Warrior, later this week. Through the initiative, the actor will highlight the work done by environmental activists and citizen groups across India, thereby garnering support for them and encouraging others to do their bit for the environment.

mid-day has learnt that the opening episode of the monthly series will be dedicated to Afroz Shah, the young lawyer who took it upon himself to give a facelift to the Versova beach, thus setting in motion the largest beach clean-up project. A source reveals, "Bhumi recently joined Afroz during his beach clean-up drive. Besides documenting the elaborate work put in by him and other participants, the actor also discussed the need for beach conservation in India and the way ahead for his clean-up project."

Confirming the news, Pednekar says that her campaign has been designed to give an impetus to climate crusaders. "I was proud to be a part of the Versova beach clean-up exercise to raise awareness on climate preservation. What I saw has changed my life and I will continue to support Afroz in any and every way possible," she says.

Dhaval Roy (DNA; September 21, 2019)

Bhumi Pednekar is a passionate advocate of environmental conservation and protection. She recently urged people to save water by posting a photo of herself on the beach and asking one to imagine a world without it. Then she brought attention to the Amazon rainforest fire and what it meant for the environment. Now, the socially-conscious actress is starting a pan-India campaign called Climate Warrior, Aimee, which will raise awareness about environmental conservation and global warming.

Climate Warrior is a concerted social media and online campaign that Bhumi will use to focus on awareness-building and engage people to become more conscious of the climate and opt for eco-friendly life choices. It will also highlight the work done by environmental activists and citizen groups across India to bring about sustainable change to the climate.

Bhumi says, “Climate Warrior is my attempt to start a dialogue with those who work tirelessly to save the environment and highlight the crisis that we find ourselves in due to climate change. It’s a platform through which I hope to keep reminding people that climate change is real and comes with some serious repercussions. Through this initiative, I’m going to work towards bringing positive social change that’s the need of the hour.”

The Toilet - Ek Prem Katha actress adds that the programme will champion the efforts of warriors regularly and will ask individuals to participate in saving our planet because the threat to humanity is imminent, and the time to act is now. “I want to make people aware that by making minor yet significant changes in their daily lifestyles and thought process, they can help stop the damaging impact that’s happening to our climate,” she adds. Bhumi further informs that the campaign will present factual evidence of the crisis that humankind finds itself in today.

“I care about conserving my planet for our next generations and sincerely hope more and more of us will join hands to protect our future that we are all set to share,” she says. Climate Warrior will be an annual campaign that Bhumi will helm throughout.