In this 21st century, tremendous progress has been made in the development of zero-carbon technologies. And yet, we are struggling to decarbonize our societies and meet our global climate goals. Perhaps this should not surprise us; like many of our modern challenges, the climate crisis is in essence a spiritual crisis. To solve it necessitates a real shift in consciousness — from consumption to contemplation. Come join educator, engineer, and environmentalist Samrat Pathania to explore how eastern philosophy- the Upanishads in particular- can help us attain the inner balance that is necessary to end the upheaval in the external world.

Samrat Pathania grew up in Hindu family in India where his childhood love for science and mathematics culminated in a degree in mechanical engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur (India). After working for several years as a software engineer with various multinational corporations, Samrat became a teacher and currently teaches physics, computer science, and environmental science at Wallkill High School. He is a New York State Master Teacher Emeritus and co-founder of the Educator Collective for Environmental Justice. Samrat is former co-chair of the Hudson Valley and Catskills chapter of the Climate Reality Project and currently a clean energy coach with New Yorkers for Clean Power. He is also the Program Manager for Science and Sustainability at the Mid-Hudson Teacher Center at SUNY New Paltz. Samrat considers Swami Vivekananda's teachings as the biggest spiritual influence during his formative years and has been studying Advaita Vedanta with India's most followed Advaita teacher and social reformer—Acharya Prashant.

"When Mother Nature arm wrestles with the invisible hand, she will always win."