On World Environment Day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a global initiative ‘Lifestyle for the Environment - LiFE Movement’ via video conference. Modi said that the vision of LiFE is to live a lifestyle that is in tune with our planet and does not harm it. He added that those who live such a lifestyle are called “Pro-Planet People”.

The idea of LiFE was introduced by Modi during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow last year. The idea promotes an environmentally conscious lifestyle that focuses on ‘mindful and deliberate utilisation’ instead of ‘mindless and wasteful consumption’.

The LiFE Movement aims to utilise the power of collective action and nudge individuals across the world to undertake simple climate-friendly actions in their daily lives. The LiFE movement, additionally, also seeks to leverage the strength of social networks to influence social norms surrounding climate.

The Mission plans to create and nurture a global network of individuals, namely ‘Pro-Planet People’ (P3), who will have a shared commitment to adopt and promote environmentally friendly lifestyles. Through the P3 community, the Mission seeks to create an ecosystem that will reinforce and enable environmentally friendly behaviours to be self-sustainable.

The Mission envisions replacing the prevalent ‘use-and-dispose’ economy—governed by mindless and destructive consumption—with a circular economy, which would be defined by mindful and deliberate utilisation.

The launch will initiate ‘LiFE Global Call for Papers’ inviting ideas and suggestions from academics, universities, research institutions, etc to influence and persuade individuals, communities and organisations across the world to adopt an environment-conscious lifestyle.