[This essay won the Best Essay Prize at Tarang 2k23 (CA Students Annual Day), organised by BCAS]
Climate change – A phenomenon of minor insignificant changes in seasons which piles up and accumulates to be a bigger issue. Many experts have presented their concern on this matter – a matter which if not resolved would become a black demon in the disguise of small, minor, ignorable changes.
The phenomenon of climate change is not a one-day event. It happens over time through subtle changes in seasons which are difficult to identify. But now these subtle changes have accumulated to be a big issue. We all have now experienced winters that are not as cold as they used to be earlier and hotter summers. It is now December and still, a majority of people are without their sweaters which is a matter of concern.
Talking about the reasons multiple factors are contributing to climate change be it depletion of the Ozone layer, pollution of air, water, and soil, or be it excess extraction of minerals, deforestation plays no lesser role in climate change. Lack of awareness amongst people and increase in industrialization are among the other contributors.
Talking about the ill effects that the environment has on society the first and foremost is the increased diseases among the people. The exposure of ultraviolet rays on humans has exposed them to various skin and eyes related diseases not only humans but animals, birds, and microorganisms and the entire ecosystem is a victim of such climate change. The Antarctician glaciers are melting day by day at an increasing rate which surely will drown down the coastal cities in water some or other day.
Considering the solution that can be bought to tackle this issue, the first thing to keep in mind is that it is not solely and exclusively the government’s responsibility to take care of the entire ecosystem, being affected by climate change the following changes need to be brought by all to be capable to solve the problem of climate change.
Stricter norms should be introduced to keep a check on untreated disposal of industrial influents. Though industrialization is important the waste it generates is not. Proper guidelines should be in place to regulate contamination of the environment, for instance, the manufacturing of single denim jeans consumes and contaminates water that can be consumed by an individual for 3 years.
Viable means of manufacturing should be introduced. Companies should be encouraged to install more pollution-controlling equipment. Companies should be given a rating on a per annum basis based on their contribution to polluting the environment and such rating needs to be disclosed on their packaging. Companies with below-expectation eating should be given a determined holiday period to improve their system and thus their ability to protect the environment. Their rating will not be publicly disclosed during this holiday period.
Another major contributor named plastic needs to be brought under control. Plastic takes considerable time to be disposed off thereby degrading the environment. Emphasis shall be placed on reusable bags rather than plastic bags. Also, the government can introduce a plastic tax on corporates that consume plastic above a pre-set limit or whose quality of plastic is below a pre-set limit.
The generation of electricity consumes many resources and contributed to the depletion of the Ozone layer. Awareness about solar panels, extension tax benefits for further periods, and government subsidies will help in the upbringing of solar panels thereby conserving electricity. Windmills are also a good substitute for generating electricity.
Motor Vehicles contribute about 20 per cent of total environmental pollution. The introduction of E- vehicles and the case of accessibility will help in controlling pollution we all witnessed the clarity in the environment during the lockdown owing to restrictions on traveling and industrialisation. Emphasis on shared public transportation and building good infrastructure therein can also help to tackle the issue.
Chloro Fluoro Carbon (CFC) has a major share in the depletion of the Ozone layer. CFC is emitted by equipment like air conditioners, refrigerators, etc. Purchasing environment-efficient equipment can help in controlling CFC.
Due to increased population and urbanization the extent of deforestation has also increased. The scarcity of trees affects the entire ecosystem and thus the climate. Trees are natural machines that cut bad pollution and emit fresh air in the environment. Tree plantation should be instilled in citizens.
Education plays a vital role in conserving the climate and thus the planet Earth. Reforms should be brought into the educational system to make people in urban and rural areas aware of the environmental changes and the human duty to protect the same.
Thus, it can be said that the responsibility to protect the environment cannot be instilled upon the government only and citizens sitting with folded hands. People should keep aside their self-centric approach and work towards creating a better tomorrow.
As a concerned citizen, every individual should take early steps to protect the environment with the
latest technology available we should work towards creating a sustainable environment for a better tomorrow.
Thank You!
