Being mindful this summer: the hypocrisy of NGOs

The use of air conditioners by organizations especially working on climate change and environment while their field staff endure the reality of the summer highlights their hypocrisy

While the heat in Mumbai and other places continues to increase, those in offices run by NGOs continue to operate with air conditioners (ACs) while their field workers or those actually implementing the work of the organisation in the rural areas or the slums or other difficult locations have to endure the fierce and oppressive weather while doing so. They are also damaging the environment, going against their own purpose and mission and increasing their own administrative cost. This will all be discussed in the piece.

1. Impact and damage to the Environment

It is a well-known fact that Air conditioners significantly impact the environment through high energy consumption, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and the release of potent refrigerants, which can damage the ozone layer and exacerbate climate change. The air conditioners run by the organizations all day contribute the carbon emissions and the greenhouse gas emissions in the city and the environment in general.

2. Going Against their own Mission and Purpose

Some NGOs work directly on the theme and issues of ecology and climate change and preach and advocate for the environment while unfriending the environment from their sealed offices. The spokespersons wax eloquent about carbon emissions and greenhouse gas emissions, only adding to the irony. The irony is underscored when the employees of these organisations complain about the heat and difficulties they face. These organisations constantly request and plead for funds from various sources for their causes and issues. The hypocrisy and the complete violation of principles these organisations, especially those working in the field of the environment and climate change, profess is total.

3. Disparity Between the Various Staff

The project management, other teams/departments, work in the comfort and luxury of their air-conditioned offices. The respect for and sensitivity towards the field workers and others who do the physical labour so that the organisation can keep running and the projects going, is on full display. For example, and as an illustration of hierarchies in NGOs, an organisation which deals with the management of materials will have workers at the ground level handling the material, bearing the full brunt of the heat and humidity while those on the first floor take breaks from work with cool water and drinks from refrigerators.

4. Burden on the Administrative Cost

Running air conditioners drives up the administrative cost massively, when, in principle, every farthing is intended for the cause or issue.

There needs to be a serious reckoning and reflection by NGOs as funding is drying up while electricity bills are not. The foundational values include the amelioration of inequality in society. Unequal and unjust treatment of a majority of the members of the organisation, suffering and struggling under the oppressive summer conditions, flies in the face of these values.