Green Earth – Understanding The Concept Of Sustainable Development

DONOTCHANGE

I remember the day, about six months ago, when I had some of my friends decided to go for camping in a forest in a mountainous area. We had been living the metro life for years and due to busy routine, it hadn't been possible to break free and meet the Mother Nature. However, when the program was charted out this time, I couldn't resist and joined the gang for the fun.

Initially, to protect himself from the inclement weather and the threats of carnivorous animals, man started living in shelter and with fellow beings. Since then these shelters have developed from caves to ultra modern penthouses and small habitations have developed into metropolitan cities. That is the scale of development that mankind has witnessed.

As we moved on, we realized how much deforestation had taken place. The forests had been cleaned up to create cities, villages and agricultural land. The result-loss of habitat for wild animals, killings of animals, natural resources being exploited like anything, all round pollution- in water and air. This is what we have got from our development.

The way we have planned our development, I seriously suspect that this development can be sustained. Already, we are facing a crunch of resources. Increasing crude oil prices are putting huge burden on international economy. Moreover, these resources are fast receding and going by the consumption rate would hardly last this century. What does that entail? Will our children be deprived of present luxuries and conveniences that we have developed?

Wood from forests has been used up to meet the energy requirements or for building houses. The overall result is increase in pollution levels, global warming, depletion of natural resources and ecological imbalances. The sea levels are rising and that is causing a major threat to human survival in the coastal areas. Depletion of ozone layer has added to the woes and can result in many problems.

The increased pollution levels are already serious matters of concern. During peak traffic hours, one might see some people wearing pollution masks. This is in contrast to what we felt at mountains. We are responsible for such high levels of pollution in air and in water.

International conventions like Kyoto Protocol have been aimed at sustainable development that preserve the natural resources and doesn't put unnecessary burden on our planet. We must recycle what ever that can be done. For example, recycling of paper can reduce the deforestation.

In order to bring things back on track, we need to rely more on renewable energy sources like wind power and solar power. These energies are unlimited and don't create any pollution. Recycling can relieve at least some pressure from our limited resources. Vehicle using non-conventional energy can reduce the pollution and so can the factories do by following pollution norms. Together, we can script the tomorrow of our planet. We need to aim at development- the sustainable development.