When I began to write this blog, the first question I asked myself was if there was anything really new about going green and being energy efficient that you, I or anyone else did not already know. Asking people to change their lifestyle overnight is insane. And while doing so, trying to not sound preachy is even more difficult. More than that, the word “responsibly” itself sounds so boring today. Specially as we know what the “correct” way of behaviour is and yet we make choices otherwise. This happens due to easy availability of resources and multiple ways of getting away with its exploitation. Two, lack of accessibility and the incentive to make the more “responsible” choice effortlessly.
The issue, therefore, is very simple. Today we like to consume more for less. For this we exploit more resources, even if the planet is finite and cannot cope with it.
But who is this “we”? Does it include the person who cannot read or write and does not get even an hour of electricity in his/her house? Or people like us who demand a better lifestyle, continuous electricity supply, quality healthcare, etc? It is clearly the latter. Additionally, what “we” conveniently like to forget is that the demand for the power security, lavish housing and consumerism on the whole only adds pressure to the already strained planet. Finally, since we have access, we then tend to waste grossly. In short, we create the problem; without even being part of the solution!
Mahatma Gandhi pointed out, “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” The world’s population is increasing, putting more pressure on the Earth’s resources, especially land, water and forests. By 2025 we will be more than 8 billion; by 2050 we will cross 9 billion. Whether we take responsibility today or not, acknowledge it or not – the truth is that the future is in our hands. While we may not make path-breaking changes alone, our buying decision is a very big collective influence. We have to connect the dots between consumer demands shaping world economies. Let us think about it and act as “responsible” is ultimately what we define for ourselves.
Organic food, LED lights, cloth and jute bags, solar lamps, potted plants as gifts, using sustainable forestry certified paper (FSC), encouraging local handicrafts, taking the metro to work, video conferencing, double side printing, 5 star energy efficient appliances, advocating and reaching out to people, influencing them… the choices are enormous. What we need is to first accept the power in our hands and then get started – you and I and everyone around us are the cause. Let us be the solution too, for a change.
To end, I leave you with a Gary Lawless quote. Do reflect upon it and choose at least one smart action to make a difference.
“When the animals come to us, asking for our help, Will we know what they are saying?
When the plants speak to us in their delicate language, Will we be able to answer them?
When the planet herself sings to us in our dreams, Will we be able to wake ourselves, and act?”
Kanika Pal,
Group Manager,
CSR at Apollo Tyres Ltd
