Meet Baby Nova, the world’s first carbon-neutral baby from Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, a little girl has already made her mark in the fight for the planet. Aadhavi, lovingly called Baby Nova, became the world’s first carbon-neutral baby before she even turned one. She is the daughter of Dinesh and Janaganandhini from Krishnagiri.

What does carbon-neutral mean?

Carbon neutrality is about balancing the carbon we release with the carbon absorbed from the atmosphere. The Nature Conservancy states that one individual produces around 4 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. According to the Institute of Energy and Environment, about 165 trees are required to absorb that amount annually.

In Baby Nova’s case, the target was exceeded even before her first birthday. Her parents, along with local farmers, planted nearly 6,000 fruit trees near their home, ensuring that the carbon she emitted would be fully absorbed.

How did she become carbon-neutral?

Aadhavi’s parents set out to build a lasting legacy for the environment. After her birth, they founded an NGO called ‘Seeraku’, which focuses on conservation. They also established an agroforestry food forest in their village.

Working with farmers and following sustainable practices, they created a system that will continue to offset Aadhavi’s carbon footprint throughout her lifetime.

In just two years, the couple and their supporters planted 400,000 trees and revived forests in different parts of India.

More than just planting trees

The journey to making Baby Nova carbon-neutral wasn’t just about putting saplings into the ground. It was carefully planned and executed.

With Aadhavi’s name attached, over 300,000 trees were planted, tree-planting drives were conducted with corporate volunteers, and efforts were made to educate people about sustainability.

Recognition and honours

The Asia Book of Records recognised Aadhavi as the world’s first “Carbon-Neutral Baby”. In March 2024, the Tamil Nadu government named her the Child Ambassador for its Green Mission, a move that highlighted her role as a symbol of environmental change.