Learning Climate Change Through Lived Realities
On 15 July 2025, Desi Trust hosted an educational session for students from Seattle University at the Desi Store. Designed as an immersive learning experience, the session explored climate change, sustainable alternatives, and the role of rural women-led enterprises in building ecologically responsible livelihood systems.
The interaction brought students into direct conversation with practitioners from Desi Trust and Charaka, grounding global climate discussions in local, lived contexts. The visit was accompanied by faculty member Dr. Anu Taranath, who envisioned the session as an opportunity for experiential learning beyond the classroom.
Climate, Livelihoods, and Systems
Rather than approaching climate change purely through theory, the session examined its intersections with land use, government policy, pastoral communities, and handmade production systems in India. Bhargavi S Rao shared insights on climate resilience, drawing attention to the vulnerabilities rural communities face amid increasing climate disruptions.
The discussion highlighted how ecological crises are deeply social and political shaping livelihoods, driving migration, and threatening cultural continuity. Students were encouraged to view climate change not as a distant phenomenon, but as a force embedded within everyday economic and social systems.
Charaka: An Alternative in Practice
Members from Charaka and Desi Trust shared the journey of Charaka as a rural enterprise rooted in ethical production and women-led livelihoods. Conversations around natural dyes, handloom processes, and value-driven production offered students a tangible example of alternatives to industrial systems. Student questions reflected a growing curiosity about ethical trade, sustainability, and the challenges of implementing such models in real-world contexts.
Learning Through Making
The session concluded with a hands-on hand-block printing activity facilitated by artisans from Charaka. This tactile engagement allowed students to experience craft processes firsthand translating abstract ideas about labour, sustainability, and value into lived understanding. The activity fostered appreciation for skill, time, and manual knowledge while encouraging creative expression.
A Meaningful Exchange
Overall, the session functioned as a meaningful exchange between students and practitioners. By combining dialogue with hands-on learning, it reflected Desi Trust’s broader approach to fostering awareness through experience, reflection, and direct engagement with grassroots realities.