SocialWay Blog

I wake up, each day; only to hear loud reverse tunes of my neighbor’s car - noise pollution? I do my morning chores, without bothering to turn off the running tap when not in use - water wastage? On my way to office, I see hurried drivers rushing their smoke spilling vehicles around, honking at each signal, impatient to see the driver ahead of them move - air pollution and some more noise pollution? When I take breaks in between my work, I snack on chips and wafers, I throw the empty packets here and there - what shall I call this one? Pollution for sure - and I am sure we do a lot more each day that we know is some form of pollution or the other. But, do we stop, for even a moment, and think what are we doing to this planet that sustains our life and the lives of our future generations?

Environmental issues are discussed at length on the World Environment Day, in summits and seminars, in conferences and camps, but is it all talk and no show? Do we need conferences to stabilize the rampant changes happening in the environment and reverse the harm caused in the past centuries? Agreed, these conferences and high level meetings are important to enforce better laws and bring about far-fetching changes in people’s habits - but the most important and most neglected necessity to reverse the ecological destruction is to begin from home.

Each of us can do our bit. When doing the daily chores at home, try and avoid wasting water, collect garbage in different bags, one each for biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes, put all waste in waste-bins, check all appliances in your house, use them efficiently, try and use brands that save energy, un-plug your appliances when not in use, check your refrigerator for good functioning, a bad refrigerator spills out CFCs (chloro floro carbons) that erode the ozone layer, insulate your home, buy reusable and recycled products, run your vehicles through emission tests, try car-pooling to your work place or use public transport, walk short distances, use a cycle if possible, have a small garden around your house, try and go vegetarian….

You can do more - avoid using plastics and plastic products, share, and reuse rather than buy new things, remember, if you dislike your neighbor’s annoying car reverse tunes, your neighbor must be annoyed by yours! Do not litter your homes and your city, grow more plants, educate yourself and your family on how each one can make things better for nature, care, for yourself and your children, care for the environment your are living in.

While at school, I learnt that charity begins at home - today I say, awakening to social, environmental and political issues also begins at home - safeguarding our habitat, this nourishing placenta called environment, is one awareness that must begin at home - whatever you do, be it brushing your teeth, throwing garbage, driving your car, buying home needs, just stop for a moment and think, will this act of mine impair the environment? - can I do the same task in better ways which will cause less or no damage to nature?