April 22. That day again when we post a beautiful picture on Facebook or Twitter, greet each other on World Earth Day, appreciate the school going kids who bring home a plant and go on with our lives as usual. This year, let’s do something different. Let us commemorate Earth Day as it should be – by celebrating the Earth and its abundance, by pledging to protect the greenery, the natural resources, the beauty and the bounty that our planet has generously bestowed upon us, by translating our vision of a clean and green India into action. "Be the change you want to see in the world," said Mahatma Gandhi. Indeed it is time to make the transition from armchair activism to environmental protection.
Be The Change…
Our country fares rather poorly when it comes to air pollution. According to a recent report by Greenpeace India, air pollution alone is responsible for about 1.2 million deaths in the country each year. Air quality in most Indian cities falls short of WHO standards. Our actions are rather straightforward and simple -
- Use bicycles as far as possible
- Do not burn plastics, leaves, and trash
- Opt for car pools and public transport
- Support stringent vehicle emission standards and reduction of emission from factories and plants
- Plant trees – as many as you can, as often as you can
- Adopt rainwater harvesting techniques
- Opt for solar powered devices and solar rooftops
- Reduce carbon footprint
- Do not litter or throw trash in the open
- Invest in a composting machine for the neighbourhood
- Construct a toilet if your household lacks one
- Promote waste management awareness
