The Copenhagen meet has started and the heads of nations of 193 countries are debating on climate change. The media has been active in giving us the news and views on this.
Let these big people take major decisions on how to save this planet and negotiate as to who should share the burden of climate change, make other policies etc.
Let me and you just concentrate on as to how, we as an individual can do our bit to save the environment and make this planet livable for our children and their children. The way things are moving now it seems that unless each one of us are serious about this problem – call it global warming, call it environmental degradation or what ever, may be we will survive but surely not the next generation. (And by survival it is meant that one lives healthily for an average life span.)
What can we do, as individuals?
Each one of us can certainly help. Do not ever think that your small little effort will go waste. Who knows millions like you are doing their bit and it is only because of these small efforts that we are still alive.
Just a few ideas:
Reduce the consumption of everything: I firmly believe that we should not consume anything that is not essential. I remember being told that before buying any thing think for a moment if I can do without it. This simple equation goes for anything and everything. I know if we reduce our consumption many of our industries will cease to exist but isn’t this better than we not existing. In the long run if there is no one alive who is going to use all that is being produced.
Reuse everything that is possible: This will decrease the demand of new products, which would help in saving of the environment.
Recycle everything that can be so done: A very informative article on rag pickers has appeared which throws light as to how they help in saving our planet. They work in the most unhygienic conditions and still it is their efforts which send many items for recycling.
Opt for better quality products: We should opt for good quality products which last longer. Cheap products have to be replaced faster and ultimately one ends up spending more – extra resources going to waste.
Improve maintenance of products: I do not have figures but I am informed that astronomical amount of money is wasted because of poor maintenance, in all fields. Just one example – phenomenal amount is wasted because the iron that we use gets rusted as it is not given proper regular coating.
Adopting trees for taking its care, pooling cars, bicycling wherever possible, saving water, saving electricity, driving properly and saving fuel on the road, and many such efforts can be made by each one of us to save this planet.
And yes, you must create awareness on this wherever possible – amongst friends, family or in clubs; in seminars, workshops, etc. You know, when people find out that you are so concerned may be some become a little more careful.
I know you would also have many such ideas – share them.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Less Cars, More Buses
In the Indian newspapers we have been reading every day that the car sales have jumped in spite of the other factors which led to the economic slow down. A number of foreign car manufacturers in the country are faring much better in India than in other countries. However, I fail to understand how we are rejoicing in such a scenario. It will certainly give a boost to the economy, may give a little fillip to the employment scenario – but at what cost?
All the cities and towns are choked with cars. We witness traffic jams all over. The pollution level is constantly rising leading to health hazards and adding to global warming.
Should we then consider a ban on manufacture of cars and lay stress on improving our public transport system? We should produce more buses. We should even consider making the buses luxurious so that one is not tempted to travel in his/her own car. We will certainly have to build more metros and improve on the existing city transport system. Our roads will have to improve for these buses to run smoothly.
Let us not just copy the west and increase our consumption of luxury items for which our children and their children will have to pay a very heavy price.
All the cities and towns are choked with cars. We witness traffic jams all over. The pollution level is constantly rising leading to health hazards and adding to global warming.
Should we then consider a ban on manufacture of cars and lay stress on improving our public transport system? We should produce more buses. We should even consider making the buses luxurious so that one is not tempted to travel in his/her own car. We will certainly have to build more metros and improve on the existing city transport system. Our roads will have to improve for these buses to run smoothly.
Let us not just copy the west and increase our consumption of luxury items for which our children and their children will have to pay a very heavy price.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Empowerment of the poor
In the last week of October I had the opportunity of attending the Ekal International Conference in Delhi. In this meet about 15,000 volunteers of Ekal had assembled, out of which some 13,000 were from remote India. Most of them were tribal. (I may inform you that Ekal runs more than 28,000 One Teacher Schools in the Indian villages. And the aim is to reach 100,000 villages with Ekal’s work by 2013.)
In this Conference these rural volunteers had come to interact with their urban counterparts, to let them know as to what capacity building has been done because of Ekal’s work.
From the stage a few of them narrated their experiences, in front of this mammoth gathering. It was a sight to see the confidence with which they were talking, the truthfulness which could be felt. (Many were talking in Hindi but some in their mother-tongue which was later translated for the benefit of all.)
An exhibition of the different areas depicted the work being done there. Even here all the stalls were manned by the locals and one could see their empowerment through the work they were doing for their community.
If more and more people come out to help such movements to empower the marginalized persons in remote Bharat, India can soon become a super power in the real sense.
In this Conference these rural volunteers had come to interact with their urban counterparts, to let them know as to what capacity building has been done because of Ekal’s work.
From the stage a few of them narrated their experiences, in front of this mammoth gathering. It was a sight to see the confidence with which they were talking, the truthfulness which could be felt. (Many were talking in Hindi but some in their mother-tongue which was later translated for the benefit of all.)
An exhibition of the different areas depicted the work being done there. Even here all the stalls were manned by the locals and one could see their empowerment through the work they were doing for their community.
If more and more people come out to help such movements to empower the marginalized persons in remote Bharat, India can soon become a super power in the real sense.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Traffic jams and us
Yesterday, while driving back from office, I was about 200 meters away from my home when I got stuck in a pretty bad traffic jam. With no signs of an early clearance I parked my car on the side and tried to find out what had happened. It was the usual story of people loosing their patience and not adhering to basic traffic manners. People in a hurry had driven on the wrong side and obstructed the vehicles coming from the opposite direction. And when the same story was repeated by many from all four sides at the crossing the traffic chaos followed.
It was a little later that I saw a youngster helping in making some sense on the road. I joined him and for the next one and a half hour we two at one end and a few others a little distance away managed to clear the traffic. It gave me a great deal of satisfaction to provide some help but then I was quite sad too.
We, the literate ones, driving big cars do not have any patience. We feel that we are the only ones who have to reach early. We do not realize that may be there was a patient in one of the stranded vehicles who had to rush for medical aid, may be there were infants needing care at home. And one can watch this happening every day. A fraction of a second delay and we can not resist the temptation to drive in the wrong lane. Do we have any right to complain for any thing when we ourselves do such acts of omission?
Let us all be a little considerate and by small things like this we can serve the community that we live in, for the good of all of us.
It was a little later that I saw a youngster helping in making some sense on the road. I joined him and for the next one and a half hour we two at one end and a few others a little distance away managed to clear the traffic. It gave me a great deal of satisfaction to provide some help but then I was quite sad too.
We, the literate ones, driving big cars do not have any patience. We feel that we are the only ones who have to reach early. We do not realize that may be there was a patient in one of the stranded vehicles who had to rush for medical aid, may be there were infants needing care at home. And one can watch this happening every day. A fraction of a second delay and we can not resist the temptation to drive in the wrong lane. Do we have any right to complain for any thing when we ourselves do such acts of omission?
Let us all be a little considerate and by small things like this we can serve the community that we live in, for the good of all of us.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Making a Difference
The other day I was in Mumbai. Chatting with a friend, I was pleasantly surprised to know of how innovative one can become if one really wants to do something positive. He was talking about how in the school of his grand child the kids were asked to bring the electricity bills of the house. The children were told that the bills were very high and from next month this should come down. They were told of how the environment would be saved if they switched off the unnecessary light, or the fan or the Air Conditioner. This had such an effect on the child that he offered to sleep one day in his room with the AC on and one day without the AC. He will switch off an unnecessary light or fan and ask the parents to do the same. I was also informed that in that school no student can be dropped or picked up by his/her own vehicle or even a pooled vehicle. All students have to compulsorily come in the school bus. All of us should take a lesson.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Water & Power Shortage, What Are WE Doing ?
The talk of the town is scorching heat and shortage of water. We have been hearing a lot about late arrival of the monsoons, heat wave conditions in most parts of the country, the people coming on roads to protest shortage of water and power. While we all keep on reading about this, seeing this on the TV and awaiting the rain Gods to help we should ponder as to what we are doing to avoid this crisis. It is high time that each one of us should also share this responsibility and just not keep on blaming the government. Every individual's effort to save can ease the problem to a great extent. And it is not only you saving but you also propogating this idea to others, you also convincing others to do the same. Various ideas can come to save water and electicity. Each one of you can help by exchanging these ideas through various means. Just don't feel that your effort of saving a bucket full of water or a Kilowatt a day would not be able to ease this grave situation. Imaging a million people doing this - what you get is saving of a million buckets of water and a million kw of power every day. So let's start this today, now. Some ideas given below (not all original from me)
1. Switch off any lights/fans, ACs, computers that you are not using or that you can avoid.
2. While running ACs see if you can share staying in one room instead of a number of ACs running at home or office.
3. While running ACs put this on a little high temperature, say 23 degrees instead of the minimum and use a fan also to ciruclate the cool air.
4. Avoid using lifts for short climbs.
5. Use power saving CFL lights.
6. Serve water to guests in bottles and empty glasses so that they can take only the quantity they want. (You rarely use the poured water in glasses once you take back)
7. Avoid unnecessary washing of utensils and clothes. Take your decision judiciously.
8. Get your car cleaned with a bucket of water and not by piped water.
You can keep on adding to this list. I would just like to add that please have consideration for those who do not have gen sets and invertors and who do not have stored water tanks or tube wells at their home.
You must appreciate that people staying in metros and bigger towns are so very well off and with politicians taking up their cause but there are areas which do not see power for hours and hours or may be even days (though power is provided to them) and there are people who have to walk great distances to fetch their daily needs for water.
1. Switch off any lights/fans, ACs, computers that you are not using or that you can avoid.
2. While running ACs see if you can share staying in one room instead of a number of ACs running at home or office.
3. While running ACs put this on a little high temperature, say 23 degrees instead of the minimum and use a fan also to ciruclate the cool air.
4. Avoid using lifts for short climbs.
5. Use power saving CFL lights.
6. Serve water to guests in bottles and empty glasses so that they can take only the quantity they want. (You rarely use the poured water in glasses once you take back)
7. Avoid unnecessary washing of utensils and clothes. Take your decision judiciously.
8. Get your car cleaned with a bucket of water and not by piped water.
You can keep on adding to this list. I would just like to add that please have consideration for those who do not have gen sets and invertors and who do not have stored water tanks or tube wells at their home.
You must appreciate that people staying in metros and bigger towns are so very well off and with politicians taking up their cause but there are areas which do not see power for hours and hours or may be even days (though power is provided to them) and there are people who have to walk great distances to fetch their daily needs for water.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Avoiding Polythene Bags
In today's newspaper there is a news of heavy fines to be made on use of polythene bags even after a ban some six months back in Delhi. People have to be educated about this. Only a law and fine is not going to help much. And these poly bags are convenient and cheap and their use has increased so much. In this heat these poly-bags are also used to carry water by the poor people. However, it is the rich and educated who should understand the gravity of the situation more. Let us learn and teach to the others that we should avoid using poly-bags and instead use eco-friendly paper or jute bags. It is heartening to see a lot many people going to the market carrying their own bags. This is a lesson one should learn and implement. Even at home we collect our garbage every day in poly bags (though mostly used ones) and give it to the boy every morning who comes and collects this. Can we just dump the garbage by emptying our dust bin in the big bag that he brings? I will also request all readers to implement and influence others to stop using a poly cover for the invitations that we send out for marraiges or other occasions. Even without this poly cover the invitation will reach the destination. And to my media friends a request to use paper covers instead of poly covers for sending their magazines to subscribers. Simple actions can save thousands of poly bags (in different forms) daily. We should all join hands to take corrective measures to save our environment. Be selfish. This is for our own well being and for the well being of our next generation.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Vote, you must
The elections to the 15th Lok Sabha in India are to be held in April/May. And this is the opportunity for us to elect some one who can deliver. Our system may not give us the ideal leaders. Still, this is the only opportunity for each one of us.
We keep on cursing our politicians, our system but this is also a fact that many of us do not go and vote. Sitting in our drawing rooms with our friends we keep on criticizing how the ruling government has bungled things but when it comes to elect a new government we go on holidaying.
We should also look to this inaction of ours from another angle. If we do not go and vote may be our vote is being misused. When you go and vote you not only do your duty as a good citizen but also see to it that no one else votes on your behalf. After all it is your country and it is your duty also to safeguard the democracy.
May be this would not solve all our problems but then we would be satisfied that we did try to elect someone we thought can make a positive change.
VOTE, YOU MUST.
We keep on cursing our politicians, our system but this is also a fact that many of us do not go and vote. Sitting in our drawing rooms with our friends we keep on criticizing how the ruling government has bungled things but when it comes to elect a new government we go on holidaying.
We should also look to this inaction of ours from another angle. If we do not go and vote may be our vote is being misused. When you go and vote you not only do your duty as a good citizen but also see to it that no one else votes on your behalf. After all it is your country and it is your duty also to safeguard the democracy.
May be this would not solve all our problems but then we would be satisfied that we did try to elect someone we thought can make a positive change.
VOTE, YOU MUST.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Bulldozing Illegal Constructions
Whenever I see a news item on the authorities using bulldozers to bring down unauthorized structures it gets on my nerves. Not that I support such construction work but then what were we doing when it was coming up. This was not something, like the unaccounted money that could be hidden under the bed – this was something being constructed in front of every one, very visible. Yes, the authorities from several departments must have come also and found out that the construction was being done without proper clearances or extra space was being created which was not authorized. However, since their pockets must have been filled this unauthorized construction must have been overlooked. And once the work was over all forgot about it till the time some other officials decided, or got Court orders that the unauthorized construction has to be razed. And the bulldozers came.
The person who made the construction was penalized and if nothing else had to pay for the cost of the construction which now has been razed. But, rarely we hear of action being taken against the officers who overlooked this unauthorized construction. If examples could be set, I am sure, officers would not dare to allow such gross violation of rules.
Have we ever realized that after all what colossal national wastage we are upto every day. The steel, cement, labour etc. etc. all gone to waste. Once the structure is brought down all these materials can not be reused. In fact it is another problem to dispose them. From this colossal waste we could have constructed hundreds of the much required schools and hospitals for the needy.
It is high time that we all realize this and not indulge in this national wastage of our scarce resources.
The person who made the construction was penalized and if nothing else had to pay for the cost of the construction which now has been razed. But, rarely we hear of action being taken against the officers who overlooked this unauthorized construction. If examples could be set, I am sure, officers would not dare to allow such gross violation of rules.
Have we ever realized that after all what colossal national wastage we are upto every day. The steel, cement, labour etc. etc. all gone to waste. Once the structure is brought down all these materials can not be reused. In fact it is another problem to dispose them. From this colossal waste we could have constructed hundreds of the much required schools and hospitals for the needy.
It is high time that we all realize this and not indulge in this national wastage of our scarce resources.
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