This World Environment Day, adopt a greener and sustainable way of carrying things out. Small contribution and tiny steps can be of great benefit for all. Here are a few practices that can help protect and conserve environment
Almost the entire world population (99 per cent) breathes air that violates World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality standards, putting their health at risk. Over 6000 cities in 117 countries are now monitoring air quality, but residents are still exposed to harmful amounts of small particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide with individuals in poor and middle-income nations being the most affected. This is due to the depletion and overuse of natural resources, particularly forests, oceans and mountains for human avarice. Here are a few practices that can help us protect and conserve our environment.
Reduce energy use
Reducing energy demand and its usage is beneficial for the environment as well as the user. For example, switching off the power when you leave your room can lower your electricity bill. You can also reduce CO2 emissions by turning off your mobile phone, laptop, coffee machine, microwave, television or printer. This is a simple yet significant approach to saving the environment.
Commute more sustainably
According to a study, vehicles produce around 50,000 tonnes of PM2.5 each year in India's metropolitan areas. At the same time, India's transportation industry contributes roughly 8 per cent of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with Delhi's contribution approaching 30 per cent. However, you may help mitigate climate change by reducing your commuting frequency or switching to public transport. Carpooling to work is another smart way of tackling carbon impact. Furthermore, we can also consider using mass transit, which is both cost-effective and environmentally beneficial.
Make crematoriums more sustainable
The National Green Tribunal recently proposed the usage of gas or electricity as a replacement for wood during cremations. In recent years, especially after the tragic COVID crisis and the massive increase in the number of cremations, crematoriums have been a major source of pollution. Another option to reduce human impact on the environment is to choose crematoriums that are upgraded with air pollution controls (known as green crematoriums). Several crematoriums are now utilising water scrubbers to reduce air pollution, however, a lot of water is spent treating the smoke and this wastewater or slurry is then dumped into a water body or a landfill, ultimately passing pollutants from air to water and land.
Avoid burning wastes
Large volumes of harmful gases and particles are released into the environment when the trash is burned releasing carbon dioxide and methane into the environment. This kind of pollution can cause major respiratory problems. This should be routinely inspected and residents should be encouraged to use public grievance system to report such incidents. At the administrative level, it's a good idea to look at the technology that may aid with landfill trash management without having any negative effects on the environment.
Reuse and recycle
Reusing and recycling are the most beneficial techniques to conserve the environment as it preserves and utilises resources according to its need, lowering the emission of gases and particles. It helps to preserve the environment for future generations, which contributes to maintaining a healthy and balanced ecosystem.
The World Environment Day is all about raising environmental awareness, especially about climate change, and appreciating the beauty of our planet. We should take a step towards bringing transformative changes in our policies and choices that will enable cleaner, greener, and sustainable living. It will focus on the need to live sustainably in harmony with nature and our chances of shifting to a greener lifestyle. With escalating environmental concerns, we must all work together to repair the harm and maintain a clean environment.
Irfan Pathan, Co-Founder & CEO, Pi Green Innovations