With sustainable living we can give the Earth a fresh lease of life

Climate change and rising temperatures are serious problems, and now is the moment for every one of us to be vigilant about our activities, re-evaluate our lifestyle, and move toward more sustainable living. As the world’s population expanded and the economy grew, the world’s energy demands simultaneously increased.

We already know the earth is resilient, but this pandemic has served as a wake-up call for all of us. The pandemic has caused severe economic and social devastation but has had a positive impact on our environment too, apart from just the increased use of technology. An observable shift in air and water quality is a ray of hope that it may not be too late to restore our planet.

But, where do we start?

The very first step is to raise awareness and encourage environmental education. Only when we can truly understand the magnitude of the issue and analyse it, we find innovative ways to solve the problem and make others aware. Greta Thunberg and other young climate activists have already commenced, and we must keep it going by educating ourselves and others on the plethora of difficulties that our planet faces today in figuring out ways to recover it to its past self.

In the global energy economy, India is a big force. By 2040, the population of our nation is predicted to expand by more than 267 million, resulting in an increase of 11% in primary energy consumption. Considering the situation, India has set an ambitious aim to reduce carbon emissions and has committed to achieving the Net-Zero objective by 2070. This demonstrates that we are aware of the severity and complexity of future climate change threats. India’s steps are intended to encourage other high-polluting developed countries to take more effective measures. Our Prime Minister also urged Indian and global businesses to invest in and create Net-Zero projects.

What can businesses do?

One of the most difficult challenges is reducing emissions from existing energy infrastructures, such as steel mills, coal plants, and other enterprises. As a result, businesses must adopt clean technology and make significant investments in the development of sustainable technologies. Small modifications in their strategy, like utilising sustainable energy to power their offices, factories, and warehouses, purchasing raw materials locally, installing smart and automated energy-saving equipment, can have a great impact. Companies should prioritise developing adequate methods to monitor and control carbon emissions and should set clear and aspirational reduction targets.

What can citizens do at an individual level?

We, on the other hand, as residents, can make a simple yet significant move by planting trees. Furthermore, upgrading to energy-efficient products such as LED lighting, which are economically sustainable and require significantly less energy than conventional incandescent light bulbs, can help minimize a household’s CO2 footprint. Afforestation and reforestation will not only improve soil and air quality but will also help to mitigate the consequences of climate change by increasing soil organic carbon levels and averting desertification. It also allows for the reversal of the greenhouse effect by turning carbon dioxide into oxygen, resulting in clear, fresh, and pollutant-free air. The need for cleaner air in a post-Covid-19 world when individuals are more susceptible to developing respiratory disorders cannot be stressed enough.

This can be possible only when world leaders, industries, and people work together to devise and implement preventive measures that will aid in conserving energy and reverse climate change. As global citizens, it is everyone’s responsibility to continue raising environmental awareness and protecting our world. It is never too late to take action and feel responsible for the preservation of our Mother Earth. Let us all commit to educating ourselves constantly and act swiftly to prevent and create a sustainable ecosystem for us and our future generations.

(The author is Mr. Kishan Jain, Director, Goldmedal Electricals and the views expressed in this article are his own)