“Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land”- Aldo Leopold
Today, I want to emphasize the importance of responsible use of resources.
Yes, being responsible is the key to saving mother earth because production is limited and consumption is beyond control in today’s era.
We all might be using water, energy, soil, minerals, etc. throughout our day without any conscious mind.
As they say, charity begins at home. It is we who can make a direct impact by living a conscious life. It is good to see the world is making a shift from fuel-based vehicles to electric ones. Effective use of solar energy is also happening across the world. Some people have already moved to a vegan diet and so on. These are some of the baby steps that bring hope for the future.
Let me quickly touch upon 3 key points through which we can dream of a sustainable future. Our actions will shape the future for our next generation.
1. Water crisis:
There are two parts here. One is not to waste water; the other is not to pollute clean water.
According to UNICEF,
Four billion people — almost two thirds of the world’s population — experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year.
By 2040, roughly 1 in 4 children worldwide will be living in areas of extremely high water stress.
Are these figures scary enough for you to become responsible for using water and not polluting it? I feel discouraged when I hear these predictions.
But when there is a will, there is a way.
2. Animal agriculture:
This is one of the biggest contributors to damaging soil and the environment. More cattle are consumed, more are produced, and more land is required for them to roam.
Such needs directly contribute to deforestation and are one of the main causes of the steady decline of the Amazon rainforest.
According to a research paper published in Nature, it is estimated that emissions for animal agriculture are projected to increase 80% by 2050.
If half the world reduces their consumption of meat, they will not only help to make the earth livable but also be able to lead a healthy life for themselves.
3. Plastic and textile waste:
These are the most talked about topics when it comes to the responsible use of resources. The damage these wastes cause to the ocean, soil, and air is irreparable. Many governments have come up with some policies for the banning of single-use plastics and a number of NGOs are working towards it to make us aware and act.
According to one report, the average American is estimated to throw away around 37kg of clothes every year. Consumerism mobilises the economy, but it shouldn’t cost us our future.
So, if we see from all the points I have covered, we can make a pledge to use natural resources responsibly and act towards a clean environment. If we collectively work towards a few specific goals, our future generations will lead a healthy life.
Reference:
2. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200710-why-clothes-are-so-hard-to-recycle
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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Photo credit: Anne Nygård on Unsplash