Reduction in carbon footprint of the world’ is the theme of the world environment day 2008. But the big question is why this question arise? We keep on exploiting the environment and conventional natural resources the whole year and celebrate environment day on 5th june to show, how concerned are we about the environment around us! Isn`t it like cheating to self? In fact it is.
We are cheating ourselves. But how long more? The environment has started reacting strongly. Take example of China earthquake, Mynmar Cyclone or even the tsunami a couple of years ago which took thousands of life and left millions roofless. The economic and social impact of these natural disasters are clearly visible in forms of various problems. Still we like to sleep on teak wood beds and still we like to cut trees in the name of infrastructure development.
See the enclosed picture. Its taken today near my office in JP Nagar, Bangalore they are cutting trees for constructing underpass which will ease traffic and decrease the travel time to the Bangalore international airport. Tell me who is benefiting and who is suffering ??
We are going on and going on creating questions for our next generations. The problem is at the cost of the whole world, we are benefitting a smaller part of the population.
Continuous hike in price of crude oil in international market has forced the richer world to think about alternatives. Please note here that “its not the environment concern which has forced Automobile giants like the GM to shut down their SUV plant in the US and go for fuel efficient car production” it’s the concern about decreasing demand caused by fuel price hike. What if they have taken the decision a decade back?
A news in the time of India today attracted my sight this morning that “Airlines may treat passengers like baggage”. Some international airlines are thinking to decide the fare of individual passengers based on their weight. Impact of fuel price hike!
Indian Govt. has started rationing LPG cylinders – 8 per family per year and any additional one will cost them double the existing price. Petrol is Rs.5 more and Diesel is Rs.3 more. When are we going to wake up and take a stand? Time is running out of hand and we cant really afford to take more time to act.
For example an electric scooter, an electric car and a solar/battery operated cycle can not only decrease the CO2 emission but also ease the traffic in the city so that minimizing construction of more flyovers and under passes leading to less deforestation. It will also save money from our fuel expenses. Using CFLs instead of normal electric bulbs may save thousands kilometers of land from coming under dams and may decrease our social problems as well. Using efficient machineries, computers etc in our factories and offices can save some money and at the same time can create a space to breathe clean air. Even using water, electricity, petrol LPG etc little carefully and responsibly can also alp our lovely planet earth to be ever beautiful .
Please wake up and start acting. Lets not make this day “the world environment day” as another day for celebration. Lets act and make each and every day to protect the environment around us.
Happy Environment Day!
Prasanta Biswal
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