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How many times has it happened that you are watching your favourite programme on television when you realise that the light in the other room is still on, but you don’t go to switch it off in the dread of missing your favourite scene? Or asked for a plastic bag when out shopping just for your convenience?
I’m thinking, many a times!
In the new era, along with technological development, modern facilities and hassle-free improved methods of living, issues like environmental degradation, global warming and pollution are also at their heights. Acres and acres of land covered with garbage, breathing air thick with grey toxic smoke, gaping holes in the ozone layer, slaughtered forests etc. are the results of the mortifying acts of our own human race. The degradation is increasing at such an alarming rate that many institutions, famous personalities and NGO’S are doing their best to educate the people about environment and its importance, its destruction and its harmful effects, and to spread the word for a cleaner, greener and safer environment.
Green celebrities include Leonardo DiCaprio who started the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998 to promote environmental issues, drives a hybrid car, Ian Somerhalder, who started the Ian Somerhalder Foundation to raise money for the protection of the environment and our furry friends. Also included are Pierce Brosnan who focuses on marine mammal and wetland protection and Priety Zinta who has swept the streets of Mumbai during her cleanliness drive and many other names.
Several business tycoons have also contributed for this remarkable cause and the list includes Richard Branson, Virgin Group chairman, a former global warming skeptic, who in September 2006 pledged to spend all profits from his airline and rail businesses (estimated $3 billion over 10 years) on investments in bio fuel research and projects to tackle emissions, and late Steve Jobs, who not only left a legacy to the tech world, but also to the environment. Greenpeace and Apple have a history. During the campaigning for a greener electronics industry, Apple and Steve Jobs have been central figures. Various million dollar firms like Ford, Toyota, Honda and Nissan have time and again invested money in projects to develop eco friendly vehicles to reduce harmful carbon dioxide emissions.
Acing the listing are also the environmentalists like Jane Goodall, David Bower, Wangari Maathai, Medha Patkar, Dr. Rajendra Pachouri and numerous others.
Given these celebrity efforts, the first thought in every common man’s mind is “These people have the wealth and money and hence they can afford to lend a hand in environment protection”. However, every common man has the capability and capacity to support this noble cause. Simple actions like switching off lights and other electrical equipment when not required, using paper bags, employing proper garbage disposal at your residence help a great deal and also send out a positive message to the people living around you.
Some go-green, healthy and environment-friendly tips include:
1. Walk or bike, a greener life – Walking and biking is not just good for your health and wallet, but also to the environment.
2. Carpool – This is the best thing to do if you cannot avoid using your car to go to work or school. Plus, your friends can chip in for the petrol and that can reduce your petrol expense. And don’t forget it is also more fun, than driving alone in traffic.
3. Turn off and unplug all electrical equipment – A TV or radio that is not used but on a standby mode can still provide you with 10% of electricity consumption. So it is better to unplug all when not in use, and especially when retiring at night.
4. Support ‘going green’ products – Cleaning products, pesticides made from chemicals are not just dangerous to the health of the user, but to the environment as well.
5. Check your water connection regularly – Busted pipes are a waste of good water and money.
6. Turn off the light at night – Before going to bed it is better to turn off all the lights to conserve energy and money also.
7. And most importantly, SAY NO TO PLASTIC and REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE.
Keep in mind that all these tips are mere suggestions and you have the choice to use them or not. Hopefully, you will understand its purpose and benefits because it can really help save the future and remember – If you have the capacity it is better to practice and make it part of your daily life.
Akriti Arora
B. Com (H), 2nd Year
I’m thinking, many a times!
In the new era, along with technological development, modern facilities and hassle-free improved methods of living, issues like environmental degradation, global warming and pollution are also at their heights. Acres and acres of land covered with garbage, breathing air thick with grey toxic smoke, gaping holes in the ozone layer, slaughtered forests etc. are the results of the mortifying acts of our own human race. The degradation is increasing at such an alarming rate that many institutions, famous personalities and NGO’S are doing their best to educate the people about environment and its importance, its destruction and its harmful effects, and to spread the word for a cleaner, greener and safer environment.
Green celebrities include Leonardo DiCaprio who started the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998 to promote environmental issues, drives a hybrid car, Ian Somerhalder, who started the Ian Somerhalder Foundation to raise money for the protection of the environment and our furry friends. Also included are Pierce Brosnan who focuses on marine mammal and wetland protection and Priety Zinta who has swept the streets of Mumbai during her cleanliness drive and many other names.
Several business tycoons have also contributed for this remarkable cause and the list includes Richard Branson, Virgin Group chairman, a former global warming skeptic, who in September 2006 pledged to spend all profits from his airline and rail businesses (estimated $3 billion over 10 years) on investments in bio fuel research and projects to tackle emissions, and late Steve Jobs, who not only left a legacy to the tech world, but also to the environment. Greenpeace and Apple have a history. During the campaigning for a greener electronics industry, Apple and Steve Jobs have been central figures. Various million dollar firms like Ford, Toyota, Honda and Nissan have time and again invested money in projects to develop eco friendly vehicles to reduce harmful carbon dioxide emissions.
Acing the listing are also the environmentalists like Jane Goodall, David Bower, Wangari Maathai, Medha Patkar, Dr. Rajendra Pachouri and numerous others.
Given these celebrity efforts, the first thought in every common man’s mind is “These people have the wealth and money and hence they can afford to lend a hand in environment protection”. However, every common man has the capability and capacity to support this noble cause. Simple actions like switching off lights and other electrical equipment when not required, using paper bags, employing proper garbage disposal at your residence help a great deal and also send out a positive message to the people living around you.
Some go-green, healthy and environment-friendly tips include:
1. Walk or bike, a greener life – Walking and biking is not just good for your health and wallet, but also to the environment.
2. Carpool – This is the best thing to do if you cannot avoid using your car to go to work or school. Plus, your friends can chip in for the petrol and that can reduce your petrol expense. And don’t forget it is also more fun, than driving alone in traffic.
3. Turn off and unplug all electrical equipment – A TV or radio that is not used but on a standby mode can still provide you with 10% of electricity consumption. So it is better to unplug all when not in use, and especially when retiring at night.
4. Support ‘going green’ products – Cleaning products, pesticides made from chemicals are not just dangerous to the health of the user, but to the environment as well.
5. Check your water connection regularly – Busted pipes are a waste of good water and money.
6. Turn off the light at night – Before going to bed it is better to turn off all the lights to conserve energy and money also.
7. And most importantly, SAY NO TO PLASTIC and REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE.
Keep in mind that all these tips are mere suggestions and you have the choice to use them or not. Hopefully, you will understand its purpose and benefits because it can really help save the future and remember – If you have the capacity it is better to practice and make it part of your daily life.
Akriti Arora
B. Com (H), 2nd Year