Our Environment

Themneivah Sitlhou *

Everything around us is our environment. It is an ecosystem which compasses all living and non-living things. This includes plants, animals, micro-organisms and human beings as well. It also includes abiotic elements such as water, land, sunlight, rocks and air.

The word environment itself sounds beautiful and yet we have so much to discover about it. And yes, a beautiful environment starts with you.We have been studying about it since elementary school and I hope we are all aware of it. But why is environment a hot issue lately ? We shouldn't ignore it else it will torment us when the issues become tremendous.

We are one species despite our difference in culture, colour and creed. We are human beings who share the same planet. We may have different purposes in our life but we belong and share a common home that is Earth. As already mentioned, environment includes both biotic and abiotic elements. It is the activities and the circle between these two elements that create life on earth possible.

Moreover, what makes our earth the only planet to live in ? It is so because it has the right distance from the sun that protect us from harmful radiation. It has the right chemical ingredients for life such as water, carbon etc. I hope by now we are clear why we are very concerned when it comes to environment.

Lately, we face serious consequences from our unwanted actions against our environment. Such as, deforestation brings outcomes like change in climate, soil erosion, landslide etc. Also, mistreating our waste pollute our surroundings which in turn brings serious health issues.

Sometimes, we are so occupied with greed that blinds us to see the consequences but compel us to look at one-side only. We only think of how much we can generate from exploiting the environment. An example can be drawn from stubble burning in Delhi and some parts of North India as it is the easiest way to get rid of it.

But it has created serious air pollution to the extent where a committee is set up to look into it. Sometimes it is our carelessness that turns our boon to curse. Like, we build big dams for multi- purposes such as generating electricity and irrigation purposes. But mis-maintanence of it can lead to flood and landslide as well.

Every little thing combine to form a matter. Likewise, joining hands of an individual will only let us reach our goal. Government may carry out various schemes and programmes but it is the public who will accomplish it. We have Swacch Bharat mission launched by Government to solve problems of sanitation and waste management. It provides facilities such as construction of toilet etc.

It is done so to enhance basic needs of the public. Besides, we have Jal Jeewan mission where safe drinking water is given to the public. We have many other programs such as Ujjwala scheme as well. Apart from the hands given to us by Government, we need to change our way of living and our mindset as well.

Department of Recycling and Resource Management suggest us the uses of the 4 Rs i.e Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink. For example , we should spend in accordance with our needs. We need not be lavish unnecessarily. There are things which can be reuse and recycle as well.

Most importantly, we should rethink of how our environment was when we were young and how it is now. There is huge difference and we should sort it out. Our Earth is our only home and it is everyone's responsibility to protect .

As a democratic citizen, we knows that rights come with responsibility. If we cut trees it is our responsibility to plant one. As initiated by Government, it would be a good one to substitute firewood with LPG. Petroleum should be substituted with natural gas , electricity etc.

Recently, UN General Assembly was held. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a grand speech. India has taken decisive actions to tackle climate change. India committed to cut green house gas emission and it is still doing its best to bring out the best. The 6th assessment report of Inter-Govt Panel on Climate Change was brought out. It reports that over the last decade our temperature has increased by 1.09%.

How vulnerable the situation is for India to rank 7th on Global Climate Risk. An initiative like setting up of solar energy is done and supported by Govt. Lastly, we shouldn't find comfort in present which can hinder the future. An example can be drawn from a recent incident in Uttarakhand. As a result of deforestation and heavy projects from Government, our glacier melted massively as it is sensitive to climate change.

There was enormous flood and it robbed our wealth and life as well. Usually, we have cyclone occuring in Bay of Bengal every year or after unlike in Arabian sea. But what we witnessed lately is that cyclone started occuring more in Arabian sea due to climate change. This is a clear warning given that we should tackle our problems before we reach a point of no return.

Just as how we tackle hunger, human rights , corruption etc.we should take our environmental issues very seriously. This starts with you and I. According to Global Happiness Report 2021, India ranked 139 out of 149 countries where we lag way behind to reach the desired goal.

I hope and pray that a happy Environment will push us forward in the coming World Happiness Report. It should be noted that “nature has provided us enough of our needs but not our greed. Be the change you want to see on earth", Mahatma Gandhi.