Our Environment - Conserve Cultivate Champion
<div style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-size:15px;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p>When my content team member asked me to write an article for Environment Day, I mentally held my head and went, “Not me! I didn’t want to go down a path where the talking points are about all things disastrous and wrecking”. But then, I relented and went about gathering well-presented points on the matter.<br><br>After sifting through scientific data, facts and bleak projections about the future of our planet, my initial feelings of disinclination toward this topic returned. These days one cannot talk about environment without coupling it with words like issue, crises, devastation, deterioration and extinction.<br>Instead of making a regular cause-effect-prescription routine, I would like to present this issue as a personal recipe blended with my thoughts and garnished with suggestions that I have adopted in this cause for environment nurture.<br><br>When the grass was green<br>I grew up in those times when my grandparents were able to live and sustain a major part of their rural routine even after migrating to Secunderabad/Hyderabad (Telangana) from their native villages. My parents took on some of their traditions and although they diluted them to suit the times, the major essence was held intact. I can confidently say that my generation grew up in the same culture and traditions passed down from our grandparents. We were already practicing the now popular slogan Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.<br><br></p><span></div><div style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-size:15px;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p>We ate in banana leaves, slept on straw mats and drank water from clay pots. During summer, we used jute mats as screens and watered it to cool off our house. We faced frequent water shortages and so water was conserved and used economically. Power cuts were so frequent that that was one topic that occupied many a political and social conversation. So, yes, we are the ‘studied in candlelight’ generation. Even when we did have electricity, we used it sparingly; any “un-offed” fan or light was sufficient reason to be severely reprimanded….in any house by any elder.<br>Everything was reused and recycled. Our clothes, textbooks, notebooks, pens were mostly hand-me-downs from cousins, friends or seniors in school. We were taught to sew.<br><br>We hit the iceberg<br>My earliest memory of plastic was a thick and glossy one, the worst kind, that was given by ‘high-end’ brand stores. I remember seeing those for decades in our almirah that eventually became our certificates holder. Pretty soon I began to see plastic replacing steel containers, buckets and other kitchen items. Faux flowers, plastic curtains, mats replaced our organic and natural home décor. We thought we were arriving at some grand destination.<br>Promptly following the new-age lifestyle were the visible signs of environmental degradation like garbage pits overflowing with plastic and open spaces converted to dump yards, non-bio-degradable items tossed around in landfills.<br><br>The following decades were the most horrific years for the planet, with globalization happening at a galloping speed; urbanization and the need to connect the world through faster means of communication and travel became an obsession with companies, political leaders and scientists. The result was: a surge in cell phones, more burning of fuel, increase in concrete structures, deforestation, pollution, global warming, climate changes and all the works of destruction ensued.<br><br>With new and distressing data pouring in almost on a daily basis about environmental health, we are experiencing what psychologists call an ‘Eco-anxiety’.…a mental health situation caused by worry over the effects of climate change, fear for future generations, and feelings of helplessness.<br><br><br></p><span></div><div style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-size:15px;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p>Don’t miss the woods for the trees<br>Taking a pragmatic view of the situation, I feel that while we should make conscious decisions about our food, clothing and travel choices, making radical lifestyle changes and deliberately opting for eco-friendly products at all times is not an option for everyone.<br><br>Some of these options have a huge economic impact on an individual’s earnings and savings. It's worthless and an unfair indulgence to criticize people who drive, eat meat or dairy, fly on airplanes or use electronic gadgets. I myself am a not-so-proud owner of two electronic gadgets and despite being a conscientious consumer, I still buy plastic goods, which are unavoidable and not in my control. My food habits include dairy and it’s not always feasible to buy expensive substitutes. I have to drive to get to places and in these days and times it’s impossible to not fly on an airplane. More often than not, I am faced with actions that add to the problem and are diagonally opposite to potential solutions.<br><br>To reduce these stressful thoughts, I have my own ideas and practices of contributing to the solution at a microscopic level…. take small steps in the direction of environmental nurture. How and when we choose to execute our participation is very individualistic and personal. One cannot take any moral high ground on this subject, nor can one be judged.<br><br>My drop in the ocean<br>Conserve: Water, electricity and other valuable resources at home. I have a schedule that maximizes the use of the dishwasher, washing machine and other electronic gadgets. I opted out of using personal products that need a lot of water, like henna or indigo powder. I recycle water for gardening purposes.<br>Cultivate: Over the years, I have developed habits like segregating organic waste and recyclable items, picking up plastic, cans, food covers and sanitary masks strewn around the apartment complex. When I get a chance, I try to pick up groceries from locally grown farmers and buy economically sustainable products from online stores.<br><br>Champion: It’s heartening to see the younger generation so actively participating in environment protection and nurturing projects. There are, today, hundreds of youngsters across the globe championing for a worthwhile cause of protecting the environment. The Earth is getting its due respect and recognition. I lend my support to them in their appeals via contributions and adopting changes in any measure.<br><br></p><span></div>
