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.
