Niraj Lama

Niraj is the owner of Happy Earth Tea, a tea establishment serving the Rochester area for 11 years. Lama founded the business a year after moving to Rochester from Darjeeling, India where he worked as a journalist for a national daily. He lived half his life in the fragile ecosphere of the Himalayas where drinking water scarcity, landslides and unplanned development were daily realities that clashed with the inspiring beauty of the mountains. The experience has informed Niraj's approach to climate action: while we urgently need to change our ways, we also need to recognize nature not just as a resource but also as a sacred space. Since its inception he has made Happy Earth Tea a platform to support and further the cause of climate action. He is honored to use his time and talents to make our region a more sustainable place through Climate Solutions Accelerator.