As it’s World Environment Day, isn’t it about time we make some radical changes in our consumption habits? In case you’ve been living under a rock somewhere remote, our planet is dying. And we are responsible for killing it. We are no longer killing it softly either – we are causing irreversible damage. It’s not enough to start spreading awareness of this dire reality; it’s about time we take some responsibility for our own everyday actions. We have the power as consumers to take a stand and act like modern eco warriors rather than unconscious sheep-like consumers. It’s your choice. Here are some of the selfish ways in which we are destroying Mother Earth…
*Plastic pollution is a critical issue. More than a million plastic bags are used every minute around the world, and scientists estimate that every square mile of ocean contains about 46,000 pieces of floating plastic. Plastic pollution affects every living creature. The toxins used to make plastic don’t disappear since plastic isn’t biodegradable. In fact, the chemicals which make up plastic are said to stick around for hundreds of years.
What can we do? First of all you can reduce your plastic consumption – better still, say no to plastic. Take a non-plastic bag to collect your groceries. And if you already have plastic bags, the least you can do is reuse them.
*Besides the animal cruelty involved in the meat industry, have you ever stopped to think about the environmental impact of meat? It takes approximately 50,000 litres of water to produce one kilo of beef. As the world is starting to face a water shortage – according to Harvard eco scholars nations will soon be fighting over water – the consumption of meat contributes to the problem. While people are dying from thirst, twenty million people die from malnutrition every year. According to experts, reducing meat consumption by just 10 per cent frees up enough land to feed 100 million people.
What can we do? We can either decide to stop eating meat (I only gave up meat three months ago and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made!) or we can make a conscious effort to reduce our intake of meat.
*According to scientists, human-induced climatic change is speeding up the rate at which animals are going extinct. One study (conducted at the University of Exeter in the UK) predicted that by the end of the century, one in ten species could be on the verge of extinction due to global warming: think humans cutting down forests and creating a bigger carbon footprint. Critically endangered creatures include the polar bear and the Puerto Rican parrot.
What can we do? We can live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Start recycling. Leave your car at home and jump on the metro instead. Think about saving electricity – switch off lights when you’re not in the room. These are all common-sense moves. Start growing your own vegetables and fruit. Buy local organic food rather than buying plants that are flown in from faraway countries. Support and buy eco brands.
*We all know about the personal health benefits of eating organic food, however have you stopped to think about its impact on the environment? Eating non-organic food means you are indirectly supporting industrial farming, which uses heavy-duty chemicals and pesticides that leak into our soil everyday. Plus, organic farms use an incredible 40 per cent less water than industrial farms.
What can we do? We can choose to eat food which causes less damage to our planet. Organic food is not only far better for your immune system, it is far kinder to the soil. Buying organic might be harder in the UAE than say in the US or the UK, but it still exists.
All in all, we can all try a little harder to be a little more compassionate towards Mother Earth. As Yogi Bhajan once said: “The Universe is asking you to confirm with yourself whether you would like to serve the Earth, to save the Earth, be the sage of the Earth. Earth — the Sustainer, the mother of you, which nurtures you — can you serve it back? That which serves you, can you serve it back?”
Help save our planet by planting a tree or a forest. There’s a beautiful cosmic forest being created in Chikmagalur, India. To donate funds go to www.kevalafoundation.org or e-mail pradeepullal@gmail.com
