Is climate change
a real phenomenon?
Mother Earth,
after billions of years of existence, is facing a do-or-die situation. Her
future has never been under greater threat, than it is now.
Just take a look
around you - floods in europe,
landslides in South America, droughts in North America, and bushfires in
Australia are now far more frequent than they used to.
Closer home, some
parts of India are facing acute water scarcity, while others are ravaged by
floods - the most recent being the Chennai Floods of 2015.
Climate change is
real and not a figment of imagination of scientists and environmentalists. Let
us accept that unbridled human activity and penchant for extravagant lifestyles
has led to rising global temperatures, damage to the ozone layer and
unpredictability of seasons.
The disappearance
of the sparrow, a common presence in our midst until a few years ago, can be
directly attributed to climate change, triggered by destructive effects of
increased human activity.
The Chennai floods
- and the Mumbai floods before that - were a direct result of human
callousness. Acquiring of natural water bodies like tanks for building
activity, clogging of storm water drains with plastic bags, and displaying
scant regard for environment protection were just a few of the factors that
forced nature’s hand, resulting in widespread devastation.
Thanks to
sustained effort from a few dedicated individuals and organizations, there is
greater awareness about climate change.
However, it is the
young people who have the highest stakes in keeping our planet in good health.
Our youth are energetic, aware, and proactive in their outlook. They realize
individual measures, no matter how small, can create a great impact. The idea
is to supplement the efforts of government with our own.
Our youngsters can
go a step further, and with help from their parents, can implement the
following basic measures at home, that could result in smaller carbon
footprints (the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a
result of the activities of a particular individual, organization, or
community.) for their household:
● Use of LED lights which consume less
energy than conventional lights.
● Switching off electrical equipments
like fan and lights when not in use.
● Exploration of the options for
rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling.
● Use of natural light and
ventilation.
● Use of plumbing solutions that help
reduce water wastage.
● Use of solar energy to light up
homes and to cook food (Solar Cooker).
● Use of kitchen waste to grow
vegetables at home.
● Use of public transport system, and
carpooling to help reduce pollution.
● Disposal of waste (dry, wet, and
e-waste) responsibly.
Children are in
great position to spread the green message around and the cumulative efforts of
the majority of the population can make a great difference.
Remember, no
environmentally friendly action is insignificant.
We have only one
planet to live in and ensuring good health of our planet is a collective
responsibility of the present and future generations.