Prof Solar Gandhi quits IIT to wage full-scale war on climate inertia

Amid mounting climate urgency, Professor Chetan Solanki’s resignation marks more than a career shift, it’s a radical call to action, challenging society to rethink consumption in a finite world before it’s too late.

Mumbai: In a rare and revolutionary move, renowned solar scientist and climate crusader Professor Chetan Singh Solanki, often called India’s “Solar Man” and “Solar Gandhi,” has announced his resignation from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) to fully dedicate himself to saving humanity from the grave crisis of climate change.

Prof. Solanki’s iconic photo of his torn socks, along with his simple yet powerful mantra — “I can afford, but nature cannot” — symbolizes his commitment to sustainable living.

Having spent over two decades at IIT Bombay, Prof. Solanki played a pioneering role in solar energy education and research. His contributions include authoring several books on solar energy, securing patents, creating online courses, and establishing India’s largest research centre on solar energy.

Coming from a humble farmer family in a small, nondescript village in Madhya Pradesh, he earned a master’s degree from IIT Bombay, completed his PhD on solar energy in Europe, and returned to India in 2004 to serve his country. Over time, he became one of India’s leading voices in solar energy and climate activism.

In 2020, Prof. Solanki launched the Energy Swaraj Yatra, a nationwide campaign using a special solar-powered bus to raise awareness about climate change and urge citizens, educational institutions, and government bodies to take action. This yatra is set to conclude in December 2030.

As part of his personal commitment, he vowed not to return home for 11 years, making the solar bus his mobile residence. In the past five years, Prof. Solanki traveled 68,000 km across India, delivering more than 1,650 lectures on climate change.

Through his journey, he observed widespread apathy from the public and institutions, leading him to develop solutions such as energy literacy programs and the Indore Climate Mission.

However, Prof. Solanki now argues that awareness alone is no longer sufficient — action is urgent. “The limit of 2°C global warming — beyond which climate change becomes irreversible — is only 20 to 25 years away,” he warned. “If we cross this threshold, human existence itself will be at risk. Life will not only become difficult but also extremely expensive.”

He poses a simple but profound question: “When our income is limited, our expenses are also limited. Similarly, since the Earth is finite, all its resources — minerals, soil — are limited. Then how do we justify the ever-growing number of buildings, vehicles, and clothes?”

To combat climate change, Prof. Solanki advocates adopting the mantra of “Finite Earth – Finite Consumption,” which forms the core of The Finite Earth Movement (FEM) that he founded.

Announcing his resignation from IIT Bombay in a press statement, he said, “I chose purpose over prestige because we are now living in a climate emergency, which is becoming a threat to human existence on the planet.”

His last working day at IIT Bombay will be October 23, 2025.

Through FEM, Prof. Solanki aims to engage one billion people in climate action over the next three years. “My resignation is not just a career change, but a call to duty,” he said. “IIT Bombay gave me prestige, but FEM is the seed of purpose.”