Air pollution in India isn’t just an inconvenience - it’s a silent crisis affecting millions. In this talk, Akshay Chawla shares his journey from a young athlete struggling with air pollution to founding a government-backed company tackling stubble burning. Through curiosity, innovative thinking, and strategic partnerships, he transformed agricultural waste into a renewable energy source - "Green Coal" - reducing pollution and creating economic opportunities for farmers. Akshay Chawla is an entrepreneur and clean-air advocate who transformed his passion for athletics into a powerful force for environmental change. Driven by deep concern for India's alarming air pollution levels, he developed a groundbreaking solution to combat stubble burning—a major source of the crisis. His innovative approach not only tackles this critical environmental issue but also champions biomass pellets as a clean, efficient alternative to coal, creating a sustainable and economically viable solution for farmers and significantly reducing harmful emissions. This impactful work led to an official letter of collaboration from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, paving the way for the establishment of his operations across 155 districts in the state. Learn how his entrepreneurial journey demonstrates the power of innovative solutions to create a healthier Maharashtra and inspire positive change on a larger scale. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx