'Do Your Homework': Shriya Pilgaonkar says Sustainability Needs Critical Thinking, not Viral Opinions

The Times Network Sustainability Conclave 2026 has brought together policymakers, industry leaders and changemakers to explore this year's theme, 'India 2035: Building a Self-Reliant and Sustainable Future'. Among the guest speakers was actor Shriya Pilgaonkar, who took the stage for the session 'Purpose, Planet and Pop Culture: Redefining Influence'.Pilgaonkar herself has been a consistent advocate for environmental conservation, her pursuit in this regard being as important as her film career. Her drive for eco-conscious storytelling has married both her passions - acting and being a sustainability warrior. She served as a jury member and goodwill ambassador for the All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF). For her, caring for the environment isn't

a passing fancy. Earlier in the month, she and her mother, veteran actor Supriya Pilgaonkar, planted 1,500 indigenous saplings in a large patch of land to create a self-sustaining micro-ecosystem for birds and bees.

Shriya Pilgaonkar Believes Informed Agency is the Foundation of Real Change

At today's Sustainability Conclave, Pilgaonkar focused on how pop culture and media can be rather powerful tools to inspire a drive to be environmentally conscious, so much so that doing it doesn't feel like a mere 'option' anymore. However, while she acknowledged the efficacy of social media in spreading the good word, she was also pretty adamant on looking beyond our algorithms to really go into the depth of issues. Encouraging original though beyond what our feed suggests to us, will ensure that each individual considering making eco-conscious choices, gauges the depth of the initiative critically. Pilgaonkar strongly believes how this approach though slower, is definitely a hundred percent more effective than falling prey to viral opinions that fade away as soon as the algorithm switches up.Critical thinking, as per the actor, will also encourage other to take sustainability seriously beyond just conversations. After all, it's not about being momentarily swayed - it's about doing your homework and then making an informed decision. It's the only way to make the habit stick, she affirms.

Sometimes it's Just About Going Back to Our Roots

When one thinks of any initiative with the term 'eco' in it, the leading expectation is to find yourself dealing with facets of technology and development one may not be familiar with. But Pilgaonkar dismisses this idea. For her sustainability is all about going back to the original blue print - namely, seeing divinity within the elements of nature. This she believes, will be a relatable starting point for those who want to take their lifestyle's the eco-conscious route, owing to the sense of emotional resonance it will carry.A specific thought that stays with us from Pilgaonkar's session is how she swaps the term 'sustainability' with 'survivability'. She makes this correlation off the intel she has received from friends working in the sustainability industry who staunchly stand on the fact that caring for the environment is now directly proportional to it's survival rate. This year's dismal monsoon season for the country is as telling an example as ever. She concludes by stating how sustainability is always seen as the responsibility of big corporations. In reality, true change can only begin within the household, something we all should feel responsible for implementing.