The environmental problems are mounting towards a biggertrouble in future but we are yet to recover from a deep hibernation mode. Themenace of pollution has existed for centuries but increased at an alarming rateafter industrial revolution in the 19th century. Pollution is one of thebiggest global killers, affecting over 100 million people. The world’spopulation is ever increasing and the treasures of the resources are gettingoverexploited. There is greater need that we must promote better and efficientuse of resources. Mass production of plastics, which began just six decadesago, has accelerated very rapidly—most of it in disposable products that end upas trash. If business goes on as usual, plastic pollution will double over thenext thirty years. That would mean there will be more plastic in the ocean thanfish. Plastics have several health hazards, both for humans and animals. Notjust that, it is detrimental for the environment too. We must encourage thereduction, recycling and re-use of wastes as raw material for new products.
Our younger generation is highly creative and all they mustbe given is ample support and opportunities. We must promote ‘Jugaad’ creation,the idea of using the waste to make something novel and save resources. We needto set examples from our home places and re-use what we would easily throwaway, and conserve for a future. Let’spromote paper products as they break down better in the environment and don’taffect our nature as much.
Learning to be more environmentally friendly is not thatdifficult task than we think. We must start by living with a greater awarenessof the resources that we use in our daily life. For example we must turn off the lights as soon as we leave a room inour homes and offices or even schools and colleges. We must attempt to be environmental friendlywhen it comes to building our homes and buildings. Trees are necessary for usto survive. We must plant small trees around our home, don’t cut them unlessit’s necessary, work with local environmental groups to plant more trees andeducate others about the beauty and benefits of trees.
Water needs to be conserved. Few ways to conserve water are– take short showers, keep the running tap close while we brush our teeth,recycle water in our home, use water saving appliances etc. More good ways tocontribute will be consume less energy, buy recycled products, and create lesswaste and many more. We must refrain from open burning as backyard trash andleaf burning releases high levels of toxic compounds. We must use public transitas much as possible. Let us walk more and drive less to conserve fuel andprevent auto-emission. Let’s use bicycles and scooters for shorter distances tosave resources.
Cleanliness leads to cleanliness. We can easily find that adirty place adds to its dirtiness. When we come across a fresh place, we thinktwice before turning it bad and dirty. It is sad when we only think of ourclean homes and hardly care for the roads, hospitals, educational institutions,offices, markets etc. Our mindset has to undergo a positive change to treatpublic property as our own property.
Corporate leaders also have joined the race to save theplanet. Being environment-friendly, eco-friendly, Going Green, Green Marketing,Green HRM etc. are huge claims referring to goods and services, laws,guidelines and policies that inflict reduced, minimal, or no harm at all, uponecosystems or the environment. The attempts need to be strong and concrete.Small and medium sized companies in particular generate a lot of pollution andneed awareness and support policies to safeguard the environment.
Environmental love and care must receive an all timeattention and priority. Let’s go beyond the model building exercises for saferenvironment and turn them into reality. Organizations must appreciate andreward the employees for their environmental care. The Philippines recently hastaken a unique and wonderful initiative. The island country passed a law underwhich every student there has to mandatorily plant ten trees in order to get theirgraduation degree. The law if it is implemented properly will ensure that over175 million trees will be planted every year. The law will be applicable forcollege, elementary, and high school students as well. Our education systemmust owe greater responsibility towards environment and find some uniquestrategies to safeguard it. Individuals, organizations and governments need tojoin hands towards more meaningful purpose. We must educate others about the significance of living anenvironmentally friendly life. The more we will share an awareness of therichness of the environment, the more we can do together to protect it.
Dr. Shahid Amin Trali is Assistant Professor, ITM UniversityGwalior.