As our modern conveniences push us closer to environmental catastrophe, it becomes crucial to reflect on the small, mindful steps that can lead to lasting change

Transitions are always difficult, more so when one is asked to break away from habits formed over an entire lifetime. We are hurtling towards a certain catastrophe if we do not change and start caring for nature.

I used to leave the tap running while brushing my teeth, shaving, or even washing my hands until a few years back. We installed water aerators in our taps to conserve water. I realised that my shave with running tap water without an aerator was resulting in an additional three-fourths of a bucket going down the drain. Even with the aerator it still resulted in some wastage.

I had forgotten that my grandfather shaved with just a mug full of water. As I narrated the results of my experiment to others, I realised that a few were aware and were already into conservation, but many needed that extra push.I remember drinking tap water till much later in adulthood. I moved to Calcutta for my first railway posting. My well-wishers asked me to filter and boil water if I were to survive. The initial filters were simpler devices with candles in the container or those screwed onto the tap.

We started going up the professional ladder, and salaries increased. The devices also became more advanced, their advertising even more aggressive. We also switched to RO. We were now generating more wastewater and depleting essential minerals. We partly resolved the issue by utilising the drain water for plants and wet mopping the floor.

We are now contemplating switching to ultraviolet filters, a technology-driven improvement upon the earlier devices. A few years back I was in the market with my wife. As I carried the shopping of the day in bright-coloured polythene bags, we were approached by a couple of young women.

Their tone was aggressive as they asked us the reason for the synthetic bags. I brushed them aside rather rudely at this transgression in my private space. I might have been more receptive had they politely explained the agenda of ‘Say No to Plastic’ or might have felt shamed enough if they had silently handed over a couple of cloth bags that they carried with them for distribution. We now carry cloth bags during trips to the market and even malls.

Technology has made our lives comfortable. However, this has also resulted in an increased generation of e-waste. Electronic waste contains hazardous and toxic substances. These should not be dumped in landfills to avoid contamination of soil, water, and air. We now hand over the e-waste to designated agencies.I remember paper was expensive in our younger days. We did rough work on one-sided paper, and even on margins, till the entire blank space was filled up. Unused pages were carefully taken out from the previous year’s notebooks, and bound at home, to be used at home.

Old newspapers were used as covers to protect books. Younger siblings used the hand-me-downs from the older ones. A snip here, and a tuck there by Mother and it was a changed dress. Peels or rinds of fruits or vegetables were used to the last ounce. The cattle thrived on it. My wife prepared a tasty chutney recently grinding the gourd peels with herbs and spices.

These are small steps; nonetheless, they are a move forward. American Professor of Psychology, Ellen Langer’s words are appropriate, “There is always a step small enough from where we are to get us to where we want to be. If we take that small step, there's always another we can take, and eventually, a goal thought to be too far to reach becomes achievable.”

(The author is an electrical engineer with the Indian Railways and conducts classes in creative writing; views are personal)