Consume with care
World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated every year on June 5 to raise global awareness on taking positive environmental action to protect Nature and the planet. Why not plant a tree to commemorate WED? Imagine if seven billion people each planted a tree on such special days, how much greenery we would have. That alone would be enough to mitigate global warming to quite an extent. The Earth is a source of life to us and from this point of view, it is truly our mother. Why not respect and care for her like our own mother? The Earth is suffering from pollution and global warming. One doesn’t have to bring drastic changes to one’s lifestyle to combat this. One just needs to think before every action — if it is needed and if there is a more eco-friendly option available. The 2015 theme for World Environment Day, according to the United Nations, is ‘Sustainable consumption and production’. The slogan for the theme is: ‘Seven billion dreams. One planet. Consume with care.’ While wishing all readers a very happy Environment Day, I would also like to remind them that the Earth can live without humans but we humans can’t live without our planet.
From Ms Arushi Madan
UAE
UAE improving regional environment
It does not take a crystal ball to figure out the importance of Nature to mankind. Many take the environment for granted and do not comprehend that they cannot just continue gaining from it. The Earth needs to be sustained in return, so it can catch up with people’s requirements. Everyone should assist in preserving the environment, because soon, it may begin ceasing to exist.
Simple changes can save the environment from the hopeless fate that lies ahead. Everyone can help save the environment by acting in many different ways. First off, reduce, reuse and recycle. We should be planting indigenous native flora and introducing renewable energy sources such as solar energy, bio-hydrogen and bio-ethanol. Also, using environmentally friendly products such as rapidly renewing materials, certified wood and recycled steel in construction would help. Lastly, we need to be more conservative with consumption of natural resources.
Based on these principles, the UAE government designed and built the Shaikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre (SZDLC). SZDLC is the first building in the region to achieve green building that can meet and surpass the challenges of the desert environment. Considering such facts will allow everyone to see and experience the beauty of Mother Nature, the environment. The changes made will help preserve and expand the environment. There is still time to do what is necessary, so enough with deteriorating the magnificent life that exists in the world, and start doing what is right, now.
From Dr Amer Almadidy
Abu Dhabi
Low priority
World Environment Day marks the day when we all stand together with joined hands to protect our ailing planet. However, most of us suffer from ‘post-Environment Day disorder’, which I believe is a condition that causes us to speak hackneyed lines and then turn apathetic towards the whole sorry situation. We have had countless workshops and awareness programmes but the change we have seen is dismally minimal. Our world today needs much more than many Kyoto Protocols — we need efficient governments who can act upon these international treaties. Amidst all the fighting for power and success, the environment has fallen from the list of priorities.
Akin to a drop in the ocean, each one of us can make an impact by simply switching off our lights for an extra hour or by having a bucket bath instead of a long shower — these little things make up the big picture. In fact, it’s our obligation to try and make a difference — we continuously take from the planet and it is our turn to give back.
From Mr Drishti Kampani
UAE
The planet’s fate is our own
There are remarkable environmental leaders, from philosophers and writers to actors and scientists, who work for the future of the planet — each adding an inimitable standpoint and competence to the enormous predicament our planet is experiencing. This is all the more reason why we owe the phenomenally intelligent people who are working to find solutions. A huge round of applause to James Hansen, Vandana Shiva, David Orr, and Wendell Berry, to name a few. Saving the planet is a moral obligation for every human being, if only because there are no species but Homo Sapiens that can undertake this responsibility. The planet’s fate is our own as we create the conditions for our extinction. To believe otherwise is simply insolence. Inspiration is contagious, so I say, be enthusiastic, go out in the world and make a change. We all have the ability to make an impact and there is no act that is too small.
From Ms Emma Suba
UAE
Micro level action is needed
The environment is drastically changing — of that there is no doubt. People often go on recklessly mistreating it until they pause to realise the destruction they have caused.
Be it the floods in Texas, US, or the massive loss of life due to heat in India. In these instances, as in many others, it is very easy to blame others and complain of numerous policy decisions being taken, but very little is being implemented.
Though these actions can be very effective at a macro level, the only cog that will get it going is the conviction and efforts of people on a micro level. I realise the importance that actions such as recycling waste and conserving natural resources have and, so, I try to do this while spreading awareness to those around me.
Community and individual efforts that are sustained in cooperation with efficient government policies and coordination with non-governmental organisations (NGO), the government and civilians, are bound to bring fruitful results.
From Ms Aisha Eapen
UAE
We have only one planet
As humans, it is our duty to protect our environment. Though we, as individuals, cannot clean a river full of industrial waste nor can we repair the fragile ozone layer, we can at least protect the immediate environment in which we live. We can minimise the use of aerosol sprays, which has an adverse affect on the ozone layer, for instance. Though these actions seem small and it feels as if they cannot hurt the environment, this is where our thoughts do the damage. If one person is burning his garbage, then it might not be that much of a problem. However, when hundreds of people are doing it, it will collectively become a bigger problem.
The corporate world and governments must make special steps to preserve the environment. They should protect forests, develop sanctuaries for endangered animals and understand that we have only one planet and if the environment becomes unsuitable to live in, then we have no place to go.
From Mr M. Omar Iftikhar
Karachi, Pakistan
Learn from the last generation
Whenever any discussion turns towards the environment, I am reminded of an old joke in which a person once walks into a restaurant. He notices a board there, which says that anyone can eat or drink as much as one wants and the bill would be paid by the person’s grandson. He eats happily, more than his normal quota, and gets ready to leave the restaurant. The cashier hands him a bill. He protests, pointing towards the notice board, mentioning that as per the notice, his grandson would pay the bill. The cashier says, that is true, but this was the bill of his grandfather.
There is a very deep similarity between the joke and the reality about the environment. Our ancestors have used up natural resources to such an extent that we are facing a jarring scarcity today. We are paying a price for their acts. Similarly, our children will pay the price for our actions today. It is nearly impossible for any individual to make a significant impact. Nevertheless, communities can make a huge difference in reviving the environment once again. Let us hand over the Earth to the next generation in a condition better than what we have received from our ancestors. That is our ethical and moral responsibility.
From Mr Suhas Inamdar
UAE
Practise what you preach
We frequently hear people whining about the Earth losing its green cover and fast paced climate change. Albeit these are noble sentiments, most people contradict themselves by not following practices that encourage sustainability. Knowledge about sustainability needs to filter to each and every strata of society, rather than it being concentrated in the hands of a few eco-warriors. We can lead a green lifestyle by following simple, yet globally impactful practices, this World Environment Day. We must also remind ourselves: ‘Seven billion dreams, one planet, consume with care.’
From Mr Manav Jha
UAE
We must act
It is the duty and the role of each individual, society and community to care for our environment. The area around us — our home, our city, our country and the whole world — is our responsibility. And yes, this does include our atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and each other. We all know about the environmental crisis gripping the world. This will affect each of us and we must take measures to curb this, both at an individual and community level. The first step is acknowledging that there is a global problem and this will affect us drastically if we do nothing or choose to ignore it. Secondly, it is important to remember that we are the ones who have to overcome it, and care for our environment. If we don’t, nobody will.
Thirdly, thinking is not enough. We must act! Small acts, every day, can go a long way. Changing the mind-set of people is difficult. We seem to feel that in such a vast world, our saving a few litres of water or our walking short distances will not make a difference. We need to become responsible for each of our actions and realise that we have a certain level of responsibility towards the environment.
From Ms Anjum Hasan
Sharjah
Contribute to protect
Many world leaders are coming together to conserve our environment. Even celebrities have endorsed this event. Every day, we waste so much water. We must learn to reuse what we can and use water judiciously. Personally, I switch off all the lights, fans and the air conditioner when it is not in use. I would advise everyone to do the same. For air conditioners, we could set a timer or limit their usage to a certain extent of time. Even garbage incineration methods are highly recommended for a cleaner environment. We all have an obligation on moral grounds, to take a positive stance to protect our environment and conserve it for the generations to come.
From Ms Divine Gonsalves
UAE
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