Overtime, various organizations and individuals have voiced warnings about threats to the environment. Others have taken action to make a difference. Yet despite these warnings and the actions taken so far, problems related to or environment has lingered on. To many, the situation is a paradox. More information than ever before is available on environmental subjects. More individuals and organizations than ever are interested in seeing the environment cleaned up. Governments have established departments to help solve the problems. We have more technology than ever before to help deal with our environment. Yet, things do not seem to be getting better.
WHY?
The reason, I think lies in the fact that, we take ‘One step forward….two steps backward’. Just think! The industrial progress is meant to make our lives easier and better. In some ways it has. However, it is this very “progress” that aggravates the earth’s environmental problems. The inventions and advancements that industry has presented to us has made life a lot easier, but not better, because the very production of these and our use of them have often resulted in ruining parts of our world.
An example of this is motor vehicles. These have made travel quicker and easier. Nevertheless, this mode of transportation has contributed to a host of problems in our environment. One of them is global warming. Sadly, humans have been using inventions that generate millions of tons of gases, which cause the greenhouse effect, resulting in the warming of the atmosphere, as a result of an increase in the temperature of the atmosphere. This example shows how complex the results of technology are – inventions that are helpful for people in general may cause a multitude of related problems that affect multiple areas of life.
Even the cooperation of the world’s governments has not brought meaningful solutions to these problems. It is difficult for these governments to agree on how to tackle environment issues. Even when agreements are signed, some parties later back off from commitments. Others find the agreements difficult to enforce. An example of this is the International Summit that took place in Japan in 1997. An agreement called the Kyoto Protocol was reached, which mandated developed regions of the world, such as the European Union, Japan, and the United Sates, to reduce emissions by an average of 5.2 percent by he year 2012. But, in early 2001, the U.S. government indicated that it was abandoning the Kyoto Protocol.
In other cases, governments or corporations feel they cannot accept the expenses involved in cleaning up the environment. In some places, it simply boils down to greed, as powerful commercial giants exert strong influence on government not to implement measures that would eat into the corporations’ profit.
But is all hope lost? I don’t think so…I think we can individually and collectively contribute to a sustainable environment by taking responsibility. I strongly believe that, if each of the billions of individuals on earth were careful abut how he or she treated the earth and the environment, it could make a big difference. For instance, if we know how to use products, we should also know how to dispose of them properly. Also, corporations should consider how their products are disposed of. They should think in terms of production, use and disposal. These three elements are closely connected.
Thus, being conservative in the use of energy, cooperating with recycling programs, disposing of trash properly, as similar acts, make a contribution toward preserving the environment, and demonstrates our commitment to a sustainable society. By our habits and attitudes, we can thus demonstrate our care for the earth now.
Therefore, let me use this medium to recommend the following strategies for a global sustainable environment:
1. That deforestation is discontinued, as the loss of trees results in a reduction in the earth’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, which eventually causes global warming.
2. That the dumping of harmful materials (toxic wastes) both on land and in the sea be discontinued, as it poses a threat to both human and marine life.
3. That technological advancement is checked properly to prevent damages to human life and the environment.
Let us all play a meaningful role in sustaining our environment, by contributing to a pristine environment, thereby reflecting the Creator’s vision for our earth.
Think Sustainably! Act Responsibly!
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