Is the Human Mind Causing Climate Change?
When we talk about global warming, the conversation usually revolves around emissions, fossil fuels, and government policies. But what if the root cause is much deeper? What if the crisis in our environment is actually a reflection of a crisis within the human mind?
CLIMATE ADVOCATE CLIMATE ACTIONSUSTAINBLE FUTURE
MY NAME IS CLIMATE
6/6/20264 min read
Is the Human Mind Causing Climate Change?
When we talk about global warming, the conversation usually revolves around emissions, fossil fuels, and government policies. But what if the root cause is much deeper? What if the crisis in our environment is actually a reflection of a crisis within the human mind?
Lalit Bhusal, founder of the My Name Is Climate Foundation, recently sat down in Amsterdam with Sister Pratibha Patel, a senior representative of the Brahma Kumaris. Her perspective bridges the gap between spirituality and environmental action, suggesting that to heal the planet, we must first address human consciousness.
The Root Cause: A "Polluted" Mind
While scientists track physical pollution, Sister Pratibha focuses on the "pollution" of the human mind. She argues that the environmental degradation we see globally is a direct manifestation of human greed, dishonesty, and extreme materialism.
"This corrupt mind is pollution of the mind... that corrupt mind is also affecting the environment everywhere you see. If I become cool and steady and peaceful, that environment will help nature also."
This philosophy is materialised through initiatives like Think Green, Think Clean, which merges environmental consciousness with mental well-being, and Yogic Farming, a practice where crops are cultivated using meditation alongside traditional farming methods—a method tested globally, including in collaboration with agricultural universities in Gujarat.
Witnessing the Shift in Africa
Having lived in East Africa for nearly half a century, Sister Pratibha has witnessed the devastating, firsthand effects of a changing climate. Nairobi and Addis Ababa were once known as "natural air-conditioned cities" with stable, predictable weather patterns. Today, global warming has disrupted that balance, bringing unprecedented heat that now requires residents to rely on fans—something unheard of decades ago.
The region's famous wildlife is also suffering. Droughts frequently dry up major water sources, including parts of the Victoria Falls, and disrupt animal migrations across Kenya's Masai Mara and Tanzania's Serengeti. In Nairobi National Park—the only national park in the world bordering a capital city—animals like giraffes that used to graze near the fence lines are now rarely seen due to noise pollution, habitat loss, and poaching.
Further emphasising the visual toll of climate change, she points to the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro. The majestic snow cap that has defined the mountain's beauty for millennia is rapidly melting away, mirroring the glacial melt currently threatening the Mount Everest region in Nepal.
Integrity in Climate Action
A significant hurdle in the fight against climate change is the mismanagement of climate funds. Sister Pratibha notes that financial aid flowing from Western nations to developing countries often fails to reach the communities that need it most due to corruption.
To combat this, she is currently involved with an interfaith coalition in Kenya supporting FLLoCA (Financing Locally-Led Climate Action). Organised with the backing of the national government and the World Bank, this group works to ensure that climate resilience funds are distributed honestly and align with the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. By integrating spiritual leaders, the goal is to bring accountability and pure intentions back to the financial side of climate action.
A Call to Mindful Consumption
Ultimately, Sister Pratibha's message to the youth and the world is one of respect and restraint. If we truly view the Earth as our "Mother Earth," we will stop abusing it. She advocates for two immediate, practical changes in human behaviour:
Reduce Consumption: Stop buying clothes and goods purely for fashion, status, or business-driven trends. Consume only what is needed for protection and survival, which directly reduces the waste ending up in landfills.
Embrace a Plant-Based Diet: By shifting toward vegetarianism or veganism, we reduce the massive environmental strain caused by animal agriculture and help protect wildlife from exploitation.
About Sister Pratibha Patel & BK Kenya
Sister Pratibha Patel’s journey into spiritual leadership began 52 years ago. Born into a Gujarati family in Zambia and educated in a convent school, she found herself navigating a mix of Hindu culture, Christian influence, and a Westernised African society. At just 13 years old, she encountered the Brahma Kumaris and found her lifelong calling.
Today, she serves as the Assistant Regional Director of the Brahma Kumaris in the Africa Region and is their Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Operating in Kenya for nearly five decades, the Brahma Kumaris in Nairobi continue to promote a balance of inner peace and environmental responsibility under her guidance.
For those looking to connect with the organisation, the Nairobi headquarters facilitates spiritual retreats and promotes the profound link between inner consciousness and global climate resilience.
Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre (Nairobi Coordinating Office)
01 Maua Close, Off Parklands Road
Westlands 00606
PO Box 123
Nairobi, Kenya
Email: nairobi@brahmakumaris.org
Phone: (+254) 20 3745966 / (+254) 722 202491
The My Name Is Climate Mission
This ethos of treating the natural world with deep reverence is exactly what drives the My Name Is Climate Foundation. Founded by Lalit Bhusal, the foundation is on a heartfelt global mission to bring climate awareness to children worldwide.
The journey has recently begun in schools across Nepal near the majestic Mount Everest region. Because climate change in this area has reached a critical stage, the foundation is stepping in to bring healing and awareness to the communities, wildlife, and natural habitats through dedicated sessions and mindful activities. The core message is simple but profound: empower the next generation to view the climate and nature not just as an environment, but as a living, breathing family member.
This is a shared issue, and no one can do it alone. The My Name Is Climate Foundation warmly welcomes investors, donors, volunteers, the United Nations, and governments worldwide to join forces and take part in this common goal. Let's work together to heal our planet.
If you would like to collaborate, support the cause, or join the family, please get in touch at: hi@mynameisclimate.com.
