Giving Compass' Take:

• Dr. Vandana Shiva, physicist, environmental activist, food sovereignty and anti-globalisation advocate, shares seven lessons about activism, organizing and standing up for a cause you believe in. 

• How does your philanthropy support your activism toward a cause you care about? 

• Learn about activist philanthropy and the systems approach to social change.

Dr. Vandana Shiva is a physicist, environmental activist, and food sovereignty and anti-globalisation advocate. She founded the Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, and Navdanya, an organisation which promotes biodiversity conservation, organic farming, and the rights of farmers. She has authored more than 20 books, on topics ranging from the ill-effects of the Green Revolution, to the idea of Ecofeminism.

Here, she shares wisdom from her long journey in biodiversity conservation.

  1.  Self-organisation and solidarity are fundamental to driving change
  2. Women of the Chipko movement understood the principles of quantum physics Dr. Shiva was trained as a scientist in quantum physics, and its foundational principles have guided her in her work as an environmental activist.
  3. Diversity allows freedom and creates potential
  4. Development is not an economic term; it’s a human, ecological term
  5. The dominant development model of today is destroying democracy
  6. Being guided by one’s conscience is where courage comes from
  7. In dark times, Gandhi finds a place for light

Read the full article about environmental activism by Saahil Kejriwal at India Development Review.