We have all been studying about pollution in school. We know what it is, what causes it and even how to prevent it. Yet, many times our actions defy our knowledge. How many of us conserve energy or resources, how many are conscious of buying climate friendly products or using climate friendly processes in our daily modes of travel, production methods, waste disposal, etc.
The less we waste resources, the more we will have for tomorrow,the friendlier we are towards the environment, the more we will benefit from it.
It seems as if climate change is making itself visible more and more with every passing day. It is evident in the smog we so badly are experiencing these days. Hardly anyone can claim to have been unaffected by it, hospitals swarmed with patients of all ages suffering from sever coughs and chest infections. The floods, droughts and heat waves are an expected occurrence today but its not going to stay the same, it will get worse if we dont change, if we dont change our habits, lifestyles, production methods and processes.
The change is not as scary or impossible as it may seem. Small efforts on our part can make a big difference, all they ask for is consistency and dedication. Even an initiative as small as using environment friendly bags ( of cotton, recyclable material, paper) for shopping or doing grocery can make a difference. Such bags can be used multiple times and can bring down the use of plastic bags down by thousands. Even if one family takes up this initiative and encourages others to do so, an entire community can become plastic-bag-free. Yes, it may be less than even a drop in the ocean but that is how all great movements start. Moreover, if seeds of fruits are not thrown in garbage but kept aside and planted in some open space, many times nature takes its course and little seedlings appear to restore our faith in nature and its everlasting beauty of giving and do we need these natural oxygen-producing factories or not!
We also need to become more conscious of our consumerism behaviour. Just because we can afford something does not mean that we should buy it. Every product, has behind it, a process that involves the input of many valuable resources like water, wood, energy and unnecessary purchase of products leads to unnecessary burden and consumption of these resources. It would astound you to learn that it takes around 1,800 gallons of water to grow enough cotton to produce just one pair of blue jeans and 400 gallons of water to grow the cotton needed for a cotton shirt. Yet, we discard them off without a second thought. Many people hold the attitude that its their life and they have full freedom to decide how they live it, whether they buy a new dress everyday or whether they cut forests to build houses, however, it is becoming more and more clear that our personal, individual choices do have a greater effect and impact and thus, can no longer be viewed in isolation.
Just because I may have the means to buy something, doesnt mean that I go ahead and purchase it. We need to come together as a response to climate change, we need to literally reuse, share and cut down on our consumption patterns to lower the load on our resources to continually feed our evergrowing needs and wants. From clothes to furniture, from toys to books, we need to develop a culture of share and exchange for many of these items become useless after a certain time, once they have fulfilled their purpose, especially books, toys and children stuff like strollers and cots. Instead of throwing them away or storing them up, its best to share them or offer them to someone who may need them. One less pair of jeans thrown is 1,800 gallons of water saved in a way. If such little efforts on our part can help make the world cleaner, greener and more livable, it is definitely not a bad bargain to make.
photo credits: web
The less we waste resources, the more we will have for tomorrow,the friendlier we are towards the environment, the more we will benefit from it.
It seems as if climate change is making itself visible more and more with every passing day. It is evident in the smog we so badly are experiencing these days. Hardly anyone can claim to have been unaffected by it, hospitals swarmed with patients of all ages suffering from sever coughs and chest infections. The floods, droughts and heat waves are an expected occurrence today but its not going to stay the same, it will get worse if we dont change, if we dont change our habits, lifestyles, production methods and processes.
The change is not as scary or impossible as it may seem. Small efforts on our part can make a big difference, all they ask for is consistency and dedication. Even an initiative as small as using environment friendly bags ( of cotton, recyclable material, paper) for shopping or doing grocery can make a difference. Such bags can be used multiple times and can bring down the use of plastic bags down by thousands. Even if one family takes up this initiative and encourages others to do so, an entire community can become plastic-bag-free. Yes, it may be less than even a drop in the ocean but that is how all great movements start. Moreover, if seeds of fruits are not thrown in garbage but kept aside and planted in some open space, many times nature takes its course and little seedlings appear to restore our faith in nature and its everlasting beauty of giving and do we need these natural oxygen-producing factories or not!
We also need to become more conscious of our consumerism behaviour. Just because we can afford something does not mean that we should buy it. Every product, has behind it, a process that involves the input of many valuable resources like water, wood, energy and unnecessary purchase of products leads to unnecessary burden and consumption of these resources. It would astound you to learn that it takes around 1,800 gallons of water to grow enough cotton to produce just one pair of blue jeans and 400 gallons of water to grow the cotton needed for a cotton shirt. Yet, we discard them off without a second thought. Many people hold the attitude that its their life and they have full freedom to decide how they live it, whether they buy a new dress everyday or whether they cut forests to build houses, however, it is becoming more and more clear that our personal, individual choices do have a greater effect and impact and thus, can no longer be viewed in isolation.
Just because I may have the means to buy something, doesnt mean that I go ahead and purchase it. We need to come together as a response to climate change, we need to literally reuse, share and cut down on our consumption patterns to lower the load on our resources to continually feed our evergrowing needs and wants. From clothes to furniture, from toys to books, we need to develop a culture of share and exchange for many of these items become useless after a certain time, once they have fulfilled their purpose, especially books, toys and children stuff like strollers and cots. Instead of throwing them away or storing them up, its best to share them or offer them to someone who may need them. One less pair of jeans thrown is 1,800 gallons of water saved in a way. If such little efforts on our part can help make the world cleaner, greener and more livable, it is definitely not a bad bargain to make.photo credits: web
