We know that India is the second most populous nation in the world. In order to meet the needs of this growing population, India is putting large amount of pressure on the natural resources. The carbon emissions and natural resource depletion by the nation is on the high.
In terms of natural resources exploitation, India is among the first ten nations. As it is a developing nation it’s contribution towards controlling these emissions is also limited.
However, realizing it’s global position as one of the leader of developing countries, it has started initiatives towards environment friendly initiatives.
Let us look into such initiatives:
Panchamrit or “five elixirs.”
These are goals laid down by India regarding its climate action. Four out of five of these so-called elixirs are short-term goals that would pave the way for achieving a net-zero emissions target by 2070. The immediate goals are:
Reaching a non-fossil fuel energy capacity of 500 GW by 2030;
Fulfilling 50 percent energy requirements via renewable energy by 2030
Reducing CO2 emissions by 1 million tons by 2030
Reducing carbon intensity below 45 percent by 2030
India will achieve net zero by 2070
Net zero goal
India’s announcement that it aims to reach net zero emissions by 2070 and to meet 50% of its electricity requirements from renewable energy sources by 2030 is a hugely significant moment for the global fight against climate change. India is pioneering a new model of economic development that could avoid the carbon-intensive approaches that many countries have pursued in the past – and provide a blueprint for other developing economies.
International solar alliance
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an alliance of 105 signatory countries (81 of whom are members), most being sunshine countries, which lie either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The primary objective of the alliance is to work for efficient consumption of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. This initiative was first proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a speech in November 2015 at Wembley Stadium (London HA9 0WS, United Kingdom), in which he referred to sunshine countries as Suryaputra (“Sons of the Sun”). The alliance is a treaty-based inter-governmental organization. Countries that do not fall within the Tropics can join the alliance and enjoy all benefits as other members, with the exception of voting rights.
National action plan for climate change
National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) is a Government of India’s programme launched in 2008 to mitigate and adapt to the adverse impact of climate change. The action plan was launched in 2008 with 8 sub-missions. The plan aims at fulfilling India’s developmental objectives with focus on reducing emission intensity of its economy. The plan will rely on the support from the developed countries with the prime focus of keeping its carbon emissions below the developed economies at any point of time.
Indian government has also formulated several new schemes and incorporated climate conscious initiatives in its existing schemes realizing the urge of the hour. Being a large nation, India’s efforts will contribute significantly towards world efforts.
Let us join our hands in the efforts of the nation.
We know that India is the second most populous nation in the world. In order to meet the needs of this growing population, India is putting large amount of pressure on the natural resources. The carbon emissions and natural resource depletion by the nation is on the high.
In terms of natural resources exploitation, India is among the first ten nations. As it is a developing nation it’s contribution towards controlling these emissions is also limited.
However, realizing it’s global position as one of the leader of developing countries, it has started initiatives towards environment friendly initiatives.
Let us look into such initiatives:
Panchamrit or “five elixirs.”
These are goals laid down by India regarding its climate action. Four out of five of these so-called elixirs are short-term goals that would pave the way for achieving a net-zero emissions target by 2070. The immediate goals are:
Reaching a non-fossil fuel energy capacity of 500 GW by 2030;
Fulfilling 50 percent energy requirements via renewable energy by 2030
Reducing CO2 emissions by 1 million tons by 2030
Reducing carbon intensity below 45 percent by 2030
India will achieve net zero by 2070
Net zero goal
India’s announcement that it aims to reach net zero emissions by 2070 and to meet 50% of its electricity requirements from renewable energy sources by 2030 is a hugely significant moment for the global fight against climate change. India is pioneering a new model of economic development that could avoid the carbon-intensive approaches that many countries have pursued in the past – and provide a blueprint for other developing economies.
International solar alliance
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an alliance of 105 signatory countries (81 of whom are members), most being sunshine countries, which lie either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The primary objective of the alliance is to work for efficient consumption of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. This initiative was first proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a speech in November 2015 at Wembley Stadium (London HA9 0WS, United Kingdom), in which he referred to sunshine countries as Suryaputra (“Sons of the Sun”). The alliance is a treaty-based inter-governmental organization. Countries that do not fall within the Tropics can join the alliance and enjoy all benefits as other members, with the exception of voting rights.
National action plan for climate change
National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) is a Government of India’s programme launched in 2008 to mitigate and adapt to the adverse impact of climate change. The action plan was launched in 2008 with 8 sub-missions. The plan aims at fulfilling India’s developmental objectives with focus on reducing emission intensity of its economy. The plan will rely on the support from the developed countries with the prime focus of keeping its carbon emissions below the developed economies at any point of time.
Indian government has also formulated several new schemes and incorporated climate conscious initiatives in its existing schemes realizing the urge of the hour. Being a large nation, India’s efforts will contribute significantly towards world efforts.
Let us join our hands in the efforts of the nation.
Methane is a rapidly accelerating part of the climate problem. It is the primary component of natural gas, and it warms the planet more than 80 times as quickly as a comparable volume of atmospheric CO2 over a comparable amount of time
Methane receives much less attention than carbon dioxide, but it’s recently been in the news due to the conflict in Ukraine and due to new research on leakage of the gas in the Permian Basin — a fossil fuel-rich part of the United States (US).
Although methane is rising in the atmosphere, there’s no consensus among scientists on how much methane is coming from various sources.
Why is Methane More Harmful?
Methane is an invisible gas that can significantly exacerbate the climate crisis. It is a hydrocarbon that is a major constituent of natural gas used as fuel to run stoves, heat homes, and also to power industries.
Methane can be thought of as a thicker blanket than carbon dioxide — one that is capable of warming the planet to a greater extent in a shorter period.
It has an immediate effect on warming the planet. However, unlike carbon dioxide which remains in the atmosphere for hundreds of years, methane exerts its warming effects for roughly a decade.
Methane pollution, which is a primary component of ground-level ozone and emitted alongside toxic chemicals such as benzene, has been linked to heart disease, birth defects, asthma and other adverse health impacts.
What are the Sources of Methane?
Biological Sources: There are biological sources of methane – it is made from some organic compounds by methane-generating microbes known as methanogens.
Methanogens are found in various natural environments where little or no oxygen is present.
Such environments include wetlands, landfills that are not well vented, and submerged paddy fields.
Agriculture: Agriculture is the predominant source of global methane emissions. Livestock emissions – from manure and gastroenteric releases – account for roughly 32% of human-caused methane emissions. Cows also belch out methane.
Paddy rice cultivation – in which flooded fields prevent oxygen from penetrating the soil, creating ideal conditions for methane-emitting bacteria – accounts for another 8% of human-linked emissions.
Emissions from Fuel and Industries: Fugitive emissions of methane from gas, coal, and oil sites are contributing to the climate crisis, but the extent of leakage of this potent greenhouse gas has been difficult to determine.
Methane leakage occurs at every stage of the supply chain from extraction and transport to use in homes and industries.
Much of the methane being released is due to “ultra-emitters”, which spew out copious amounts of the gas.
What has been Done to Curb Methane Emissions?
COP 26 Pledges: At COP26 in Glasgow, over 100 countries signed an agreement to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030 as methane might be easier to deal with than carbon dioxide (which is more deeply embedded in the global economy).
Ahead of this agreement, the US President announced the Global Methane Pledge, which is an US-EU led effort to cut methane emissions by a third by the end of this decade.
MethaneSAT: Controlling methane emissions will require further scrutiny of its sources. To this end, satellites that will track methane leakage such as MethaneSAT have been planned to launch.
MethaneSAT is a planned American-New Zealand space mission scheduled for launch later in 2022.
It will be an Earth observation satellite that will monitor and study global methane emissions in order to combat climate change.
UN Initiatives: The UN Food Systems Summit in September 2021 was also aimed at helping make farming and food production more environmentally friendly.
The UN’s Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture initiative is supporting the transformation of agricultural and food systems, focusing on how to maintain productivity amid a changing climate.
India’s Initiative: Central Salt & Marine Chemical Research Institute (CSMCRI) in collaboration with the country’s three leading institutes developed a seaweed-based animal feed additive formulation that aims to reduce methane emissions from cattle and also boost immunity of cattle and poultry.
What Measures can be taken Further to Reduce Methane Emissions?
In the Energy Sector: Methane emissions occur along the entire oil and gas supply chain, but especially from fugitive emissions from leaking equipment, system upsets, and deliberate flaring and venting.
Existing cost-effective solutions can help reduce emissions, including initiating leak detection and repair programs, implementing better technologies and operating practices, and capturing and utilizing methane that would otherwise be wasted.
In Agriculture: The farmers can provide animals with more nutritious feed so that they are larger, healthier and more productive, effectively producing more with less.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed an anti-methanogenic feed supplement ‘Harit Dhara’ (HD), which can cut down cattle methane emissions by 17-20% and can also result in higher milk production.
When it comes to staple crops like paddy rice, experts recommend alternate wetting and drying approaches that could halve emissions.
Rather than allowing the continuous flooding of fields, paddies could be irrigated and drained two to three times throughout the growing season, limiting methane production without impacting yield.
That process would also require one-third less water, making it more economical.
In the Waste Sector: The waste sector accounts for around 20% of global human-caused methane emissions.
The cost-effective mitigation solutions with the greatest potential related to separating organics and recycling also have the potential of creating new jobs.
Upstream avoidance of food loss and waste is also key.
Additionally, capturing landfill gas and generating energy will reduce methane emissions, displace other forms of fuels and create new streams of revenue.
Role of Government: The Government of India should envision a food system transition policy to help its people grow and consume food differently.
Instead of working in silos, the government must develop a comprehensive policy that moves farmers to sustainable modes of plant-based food production, diverts subsidies from industrial livestock production and its associated inputs, and looks at job creation, social justice, poverty reduction, animal protection and better public health as multiple aspects of a single solution.
We all are consumers in some way or the other. Even before we are born, we are consumers and this cycle completes only after our death. In this era of consumerism, it is extremely difficult for one to not be a consumer and being a consumer is something to be ashamed of.
Even though being a consumer is not bad, exploitation by consumer is something to worry about. Unlike a socialist economy in a capitalist world, the producers produce what the consumers demand. So, the responsibility vested with the consumer is rising day by day. When a consumer makes an irresponsible choice, he is encouraging the producer to be exploitative. Realising this power of consumers, a new term has originated, green consumer.
Who is a green consumer?
A green consumer is a person who makes a wise choice. They buy a product or avail a service after considering the environmental impact. They check the components of the product, the environmental effects of the product and such aspects in detail.
Economic, social, and cultural forces have set the framework for green consumerism. This is because it is a social attitude and movement in the modern era, especially aimed at encouraging people to be more aware of the firms’ production processes and only to buy or use products and services that do not harm the environment. For this reason, green consumerism has created a balance between the buyers’ behaviours and the organizations’ profit objectives as it mostly based on the sustainable and pro-environmental behaviour of consumers.
Why is it important to be a green consumer?
From second half of the twentieth century, world has started its efforts for environment conservation. Even though commerce and industries are one of the largest contributors to environment degradation, they were the last to act for environment protection. One such arena is green consumerism. In a world which spins on the axis of consumerism it is important for a consumer to make environment friendly choices. Also, there is shift in the mindset of the businesses from seller centric to consumer centric approach. Recognizing this immense power vested with them consumers could influence the market to produce environment friendly goods. Also, the fact that environment degradation could lead even to the extinction of humankind has opened the eyes of general public.
How to be a green consumer?
Use paraben free products.
Use cloth bags and don’t demand plastic carry bags.
Promote organic goods.
Avoid using synthetic materials that could harm the world
Avoid pollutants while choosing products.
Use recycled products.
Avoid the practice of use and throw.
Give importance to energy efficiency.
Practice modern methods of environment protection.
Shop according to the need.
Minimize paper usage
Check energy labels in daily utility products
Avoid using bottled water
Reduce electricity consumption
Reduce your carbon footprint
Check for environment friendly certification.
Ultimately change of mindset is the most significant factor in green consumerism. It requires people to avoid certain comforts and embrace the difficult but fruitful path. It is the duty of consumers to influence the producers to shift towards a greener path. The consumer is the king in the present scenario. They should use their power for the good of the world.
Let us all strive to act green for a better future. We should lead a sustainable living and preserve what inherited for the coming generations.
We all are consumers in some way or the other. Even before we are born, we are consumers and this cycle completes only after our death. In this era of consumerism, it is extremely difficult for one to not be a consumer and being a consumer is something to be ashamed of.
Even though being a consumer is not bad, exploitation by consumer is something to worry about. Unlike a socialist economy in a capitalist world, the producers produce what the consumers demand. So, the responsibility vested with the consumer is rising day by day. When a consumer makes an irresponsible choice, he is encouraging the producer to be exploitative. Realising this power of consumers, a new term has originated, green consumer.
Who is a green consumer?
A green consumer is a person who makes a wise choice. They buy a product or avail a service after considering the environmental impact. They check the components of the product, the environmental effects of the product and such aspects in detail.
Economic, social, and cultural forces have set the framework for green consumerism. This is because it is a social attitude and movement in the modern era, especially aimed at encouraging people to be more aware of the firms’ production processes and only to buy or use products and services that do not harm the environment. For this reason, green consumerism has created a balance between the buyers’ behaviours and the organizations’ profit objectives as it mostly based on the sustainable and pro-environmental behaviour of consumers.
Why is it important to be a green consumer?
From second half of the twentieth century, world has started its efforts for environment conservation. Even though commerce and industries are one of the largest contributors to environment degradation, they were the last to act for environment protection. One such arena is green consumerism. In a world which spins on the axis of consumerism it is important for a consumer to make environment friendly choices. Also, there is shift in the mindset of the businesses from seller centric to consumer centric approach. Recognizing this immense power vested with them consumers could influence the market to produce environment friendly goods. Also, the fact that environment degradation could lead even to the extinction of humankind has opened the eyes of general public.
How to be a green consumer?
Use paraben free products.
Use cloth bags and don’t demand plastic carry bags.
Promote organic goods.
Avoid using synthetic materials that could harm the world
Avoid pollutants while choosing products.
Use recycled products.
Avoid the practice of use and throw.
Give importance to energy efficiency.
Practice modern methods of environment protection.
Shop according to the need.
Minimize paper usage
Check energy labels in daily utility products
Avoid using bottled water
Reduce electricity consumption
Reduce your carbon footprint
Check for environment friendly certification.
Ultimately change of mindset is the most significant factor in green consumerism. It requires people to avoid certain comforts and embrace the difficult but fruitful path. It is the duty of consumers to influence the producers to shift towards a greener path. The consumer is the king in the present scenario. They should use their power for the good of the world.
Let us all strive to act green for a better future. We should lead a sustainable living and preserve what inherited for the coming generations.
Jadav Peyang from Jorhat district in Assam was given the title of “The Forest Man” in Delhi by government of Indian on World Earth Day in 2010 for turning a barren land of 550 acres into a forest all by himself. It took him nearly 30 years to accomplish the task. It is officially called as Molai Forest. The locals call it “Molai” as a tribute to Jadav who used to be a fair child with pink cheeks, thus resembling a Mola(raddish in local language). At the age of 16, Jadav Payeng had experienced that a large number of snakes died due to excessive heat after floods washed them onto the sandbar. He then planted around 20 bamboo seedlings on the sandbar of the Brahmaputra river.
He started working in the forest from 1979 when the Social Forestry division of Assam’s Golaghat district had launched a scheme of tree plantation on 200 hectares of land at Aruna Chapori, situated about five kilometres from Kokilamukh in Jorhat district. He was one of the labourers of the project which was completed after five years. Jadav has a simple solution to the global problem of depleting forest cover: teach our children to love Nature. “The rest will happen on its own,” he feels. According to wildlife experts, the forest atrracts around world’s 80% migratory birds.Jadav’s story also inspired a children’s book, Jadav and the Tree Place, that tells his story of how he made a forest that is now home to wild animals. He has been the subject of award-winning documentaries and now people travel across the globe to see the Molai forest. His inspirational story is also being taught in ecology classes at schools across the United States.
A child’s play is not simply a reproduction of what he has experienced, but a creative reworking of the impressions he has acquired.
~Lev Vygotsky
As rightly quoted by Soviet psychologist Lev Vygotsky a child not only reproduces what he has experienced but also shows the impressions they have formed through their actions. That time has passed when people believed that a child cannot understand the things happening around them. Due to this misconception, very less effort was taken to make shape their concept formation in a socially responsible manner.
As a result of the research conducted around the world people have reached to a conclusion that childhood is the period when a major portion of the concept formation takes place. This realization has developed a demand for toys which could contribute towards a positive outlook development. Realizing this rising demand several brands have shifted towards developing socially responsible toys.
Let us look into some examples:
Barbie dolls
Mattel Inc., the company producing Barbie dolls, has released a wide range of inclusive dolls which are different from conventional dolls. The company has introduced dolls of three sizes slim, broad and original. It has also released dolls in wheel chair as well as with artificial limb. The company has also tried to make it more inclusive by providing dolls in different skin tones, hair types and eye color. Apart from this, they have also introduced Moschino Barbie which caters towards boys, thereby breaking the stereotype that dolls are not meant for boys.
Lego
The company which sells building blocks have decided to make their products gender neutral after realizing the need for gender equality. It has also promised to shift from plastic packaging to other alternatives. The company’s initiative to produce sustainable bricks will also contribute towards reduction of carbon footprint of one of the biggest toy manufacturers.
Mega bloks Green Town Line
It is a set of carbon neutral construction toys for preschoolers. Mega Bloks bought carbon offsets from the Darkwood Forests conservation project in Canada to get this label. The manufacturers have specified that the toys are made from a minimum of 56% plant-based materials rather than plastic.
Hasbro
Hasbro is a company dealing with wide variety of toys and they adopt a whole lot of activities towards sustainability. Its major initiative is to replace plastic packaging with environmentally friendly materials. It also provides provisions for recycling the toys by collecting the toys and creating new toys from them. It also checks for the environment assessment of their suppliers.
Colors of the world- skin tone crayons
This is a pack of crayons which provides twenty-four shades. What makes it different from other crayons is that it has 24 skin colours from extra light to deepest. It helps to develop a sense of inclusion and generate a non-discriminatory mindset among the children. It helps children to realize that it is normal to have all shades of skin and not strive for achieving the so called “ideal” skin shade.
Similarly, several companies have initiated different measures to make their toys inclusive and climate conscious. The indigenous toys of our country could also be an alternative in this new era.
Being grownups, it is our duty to promote ethical products and thereby assist in positive concept formation of our upcoming generation.
Let us make use of the available resources and pave way for a compassionate, inclusive and climate conscious generation.
A child’s play is not simply a reproduction of what he has experienced, but a creative reworking of the impressions he has acquired.
~Lev Vygotsky
As rightly quoted by Soviet psychologist Lev Vygotsky a child not only reproduces what he has experienced but also shows the impressions they have formed through their actions. That time has passed when people believed that a child cannot understand the things happening around them. Due to this misconception, very less effort was taken to make shape their concept formation in a socially responsible manner.
As a result of the research conducted around the world people have reached to a conclusion that childhood is the period when a major portion of the concept formation takes place. This realization has developed a demand for toys which could contribute towards a positive outlook development. Realizing this rising demand several brands have shifted towards developing socially responsible toys.
Let us look into some examples:
Barbie dolls
Mattel Inc., the company producing Barbie dolls, has released a wide range of inclusive dolls which are different from conventional dolls. The company has introduced dolls of three sizes slim, broad and original. It has also released dolls in wheel chair as well as with artificial limb. The company has also tried to make it more inclusive by providing dolls in different skin tones, hair types and eye color. Apart from this, they have also introduced Moschino Barbie which caters towards boys, thereby breaking the stereotype that dolls are not meant for boys.
Lego
The company which sells building blocks have decided to make their products gender neutral after realizing the need for gender equality. It has also promised to shift from plastic packaging to other alternatives. The company’s initiative to produce sustainable bricks will also contribute towards reduction of carbon footprint of one of the biggest toy manufacturers.
Mega bloks Green Town Line
It is a set of carbon neutral construction toys for preschoolers. Mega Bloks bought carbon offsets from the Darkwood Forests conservation project in Canada to get this label. The manufacturers have specified that the toys are made from a minimum of 56% plant-based materials rather than plastic.
Hasbro
Hasbro is a company dealing with wide variety of toys and they adopt a whole lot of activities towards sustainability. Its major initiative is to replace plastic packaging with environmentally friendly materials. It also provides provisions for recycling the toys by collecting the toys and creating new toys from them. It also checks for the environment assessment of their suppliers.
Colors of the world- skin tone crayons
This is a pack of crayons which provides twenty-four shades. What makes it different from other crayons is that it has 24 skin colours from extra light to deepest. It helps to develop a sense of inclusion and generate a non-discriminatory mindset among the children. It helps children to realize that it is normal to have all shades of skin and not strive for achieving the so called “ideal” skin shade.
Similarly, several companies have initiated different measures to make their toys inclusive and climate conscious. The indigenous toys of our country could also be an alternative in this new era.
Being grownups, it is our duty to promote ethical products and thereby assist in positive concept formation of our upcoming generation.
Let us make use of the available resources and pave way for a compassionate, inclusive and climate conscious generation.
The first Earth Day in 1970 launched a wave of action, including the passage of landmark environmental laws in the United States. The Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts were created in response to the first Earth Day in 1970, as well as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Many countries soon adopted similar laws. Earth Day continues to hold major international significance: In 2016, the United Nations chose Earth Day as the day when the historic Paris Agreement on climate change was signed into force.
Now, the fight for a clean environment continues with increasing urgency, as the ravages of climate change become more and more apparent every day. As the awareness of our climate crisis grows, so does civil society mobilization, which is reaching a fever pitch across the globe today. Earth Day was a unified response to an environment in crisis — oil spills, smog, rivers so polluted they literally caught fire. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans — 10% of the U.S. population at the time — took to the streets, college campuses, and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance and demand a new way forward for our planet. The first Earth Day is credited with launching the modern environmental movement and is now recognized as the planet’s largest civic event.
Earth day continues to grow as a worldwide event focused on promoting clean living and a healthy, sustainable habitat for all living beings. The day also reminds us how fragile our planet is and how it is important to save it from the global climate crisis that is worsening with each passing day. The theme of Earth Day 2022 is to ‘Invest in our planet’, urging businesses to shift towards sustainable practices. According to the UN, “Despite on-going efforts, biodiversity are deteriorating worldwide at rates unprecedented in human history. It is estimated that around one million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction”. As per Earth Day Organization, “We need to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). It’s going to take all of us all in. Businesses, governments, and citizens — everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable. A partnership for the planet.”
On the occasion of Earth Day 2022, American tech giant Google also dedicated the artwork through its Doodle to raise awareness about climate change. The artwork showcases real time-lapse imagery from Google Earth Time-lapse and other sources to showcase the impact of climate change across different regions.
Every year we celebrate earth day on 22nd of April as a reminder for the mankind to protect and safeguard the mother earth and its species, to make Earth a better place for the coming generations. It’s gained a lot of popularity and significance in the world in the recent years as to global crisis relating to environment like global warming, deforestation, climate change etc.
We celebrate our mother earth with ‘World Earth Day, which marks the anniversary of the Modern Environmental Movement, which started in 1970. World Earth Day is a reminder for mankind to protect and safeguard the mother earth and its species, to make Earth a better place for the coming generations. April 22, 2022, will mark 52 years of Earth Day. Today, Earth Day is widely recognized as the largest secular observance in the world, marked by more than a billion people every year as a day of action to change human behaviour and provoke policy changes.
The first Earth Day in 1970 launched a wave of action, including the passage of landmark environmental laws in the United States. The Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts were created in response to the first Earth Day in 1970, as well as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Many countries soon adopted similar laws. Earth Day continues to hold major international significance: In 2016, the United Nations chose Earth Day as the day when the historic Paris Agreement on climate change was signed into force.
Now, the fight for a clean environment continues with increasing urgency, as the ravages of climate change become more and more apparent every day. As the awareness of our climate crisis grows, so does civil society mobilization, which is reaching a fever pitch across the globe today. Earth Day was a unified response to an environment in crisis — oil spills, smog, rivers so polluted they literally caught fire. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans — 10% of the U.S. population at the time — took to the streets, college campuses, and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance and demand a new way forward for our planet. The first Earth Day is credited with launching the modern environmental movement and is now recognized as the planet’s largest civic event.
Earth day continues to grow as a worldwide event focused on promoting clean living and a healthy, sustainable habitat for all living beings. The day also reminds us how fragile our planet is and how it is important to save it from the global climate crisis that is worsening with each passing day. The theme of Earth Day 2022 is to ‘Invest in our planet’, urging businesses to shift towards sustainable practices. According to the UN, “Despite on-going efforts, biodiversity are deteriorating worldwide at rates unprecedented in human history. It is estimated that around one million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction”. As per Earth Day Organization, “We need to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). It’s going to take all of us all in. Businesses, governments, and citizens — everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable. A partnership for the planet.”
On the occasion of Earth Day 2022, American tech giant Google also dedicated the artwork through its Doodle to raise awareness about climate change. The artwork showcases real time-lapse imagery from Google Earth Time-lapse and other sources to showcase the impact of climate change across different regions.
Every year we celebrate earth day on 22nd of April as a reminder for the mankind to protect and safeguard the mother earth and its species, to make Earth a better place for the coming generations. It’s gained a lot of popularity and significance in the world in the recent years as to global crisis relating to environment like global warming, deforestation, climate change etc.
We celebrate our mother earth with ‘World Earth Day, which marks the anniversary of the Modern Environmental Movement, which started in 1970. World Earth Day is a reminder for mankind to protect and safeguard the mother earth and its species, to make Earth a better place for the coming generations. April 22, 2022, will mark 52 years of Earth Day. Today, Earth Day is widely recognized as the largest secular observance in the world, marked by more than a billion people every year as a day of action to change human behaviour and provoke policy changes.
The color green is often associated with sustainability and environment protection. Similarly, when we refer to commerce, we often associate it with exploitation of environment. But with change in time commerce has also realized the need for going green.
Recognizing the urge of the hour commerce has also developed a whole lot of initiatives. Recently, several branches of commerce have evolved with the idea of going green. These require the co operation of entire community as it involves an overall shift in the practices.
Let us look into some of these areas:
Green consumerism
Green consumerism deals with the process in which consumers demand products and services that have undergone an eco-friendly production process or one that involves recycling and safeguarding the planets’ resources. The green consumer is an opinion leader and a careful shopper who seeks information on products. Including information from advertising about the green aspects of products. If you want to be a green consumer start with small initiatives like avoid demanding plastic carry bags, start using paraben free products, etc. There Is a direct environmental impact of green behaviors. The growing environmental hazards, associated with the ever-growing consumption of such poisonous produces, have been creating several health-related problems, giving way to greater concerns over the consumption of these products among the people.
Green governance
The inculcation of green initiatives with corporate governance is termed as green governance. In India the provisions of Information technology act have led to the growth of green governance. The act promotes usage of digital documents and provides legal validity for digital signature. It has also laid down provisions for regulating hard copy of documents. Similarly, several initiatives are adopted around the world in the field of corporate governance to promote green initiatives.
Green marketing
Green marketing is the marketing of products that are presumed to be environmentally safe. It incorporates a broad range of activities, including product modification, changes to the production process, sustainable packaging, as well as modifying advertising. It not only refocuses, adjust or enhance existing marketing thinking and practices but also provides a substantially different perspective. In a broader sense, eco marketing belong to the group of approaches which seek to address the lack of fit between marketing as it is currently practiced and the ecological and social realities of the wider marketing environment.
Green finance
Green financing is emerging as on equivalent to socially responsible investing Eco-investing or green investing, is a form of socially responsible investing where investments are made in companies that support or provide environmentally friendly products and practices. These companies encourage new technologies that support the transition from carbon dependence to more sustainable alternatives. Green finance is “any structured financial activity that has been created to ensure a better environmental outcome.” Green financing could be promoted through changes In countries regulatory frameworks, harmonizing public financial incentives, increases in green financing from different sectors, alignment of public sector financing decision-making with the environmental dimension of the Sustainable Development Goals, increases in investment In clean and green technologies, financing for sustainable natural resource-based green economies and climate smart blue economy, increase use of green bonds, and soon.
Along with the shift in global thoughts, commerce and its allied activities have also moved towards green alternatives. Recognizing the need for climate resilient initiatives we all should assist the businesses in adopting the above initiatives.
Rather than putting the blame on a particular industry or sector, let us all join our hands in making our earth greener. Ultimately it’s the implementation of these initiatives that matter the most.
The color green is often associated with sustainability and environment protection. Similarly, when we refer to commerce, we often associate it with exploitation of environment. But with change in time commerce has also realized the need for going green.
Recognizing the urge of the hour commerce has also developed a whole lot of initiatives. Recently, several branches of commerce have evolved with the idea of going green. These require the co operation of entire community as it involves an overall shift in the practices.
Let us look into some of these areas:
Green consumerism
Green consumerism deals with the process in which consumers demand products and services that have undergone an eco-friendly production process or one that involves recycling and safeguarding the planets’ resources. The green consumer is an opinion leader and a careful shopper who seeks information on products. Including information from advertising about the green aspects of products. If you want to be a green consumer start with small initiatives like avoid demanding plastic carry bags, start using paraben free products, etc. There Is a direct environmental impact of green behaviors. The growing environmental hazards, associated with the ever-growing consumption of such poisonous produces, have been creating several health-related problems, giving way to greater concerns over the consumption of these products among the people.
Green governance
The inculcation of green initiatives with corporate governance is termed as green governance. In India the provisions of Information technology act have led to the growth of green governance. The act promotes usage of digital documents and provides legal validity for digital signature. It has also laid down provisions for regulating hard copy of documents. Similarly, several initiatives are adopted around the world in the field of corporate governance to promote green initiatives.
Green marketing
Green marketing is the marketing of products that are presumed to be environmentally safe. It incorporates a broad range of activities, including product modification, changes to the production process, sustainable packaging, as well as modifying advertising. It not only refocuses, adjust or enhance existing marketing thinking and practices but also provides a substantially different perspective. In a broader sense, eco marketing belong to the group of approaches which seek to address the lack of fit between marketing as it is currently practiced and the ecological and social realities of the wider marketing environment.
Green finance
Green financing is emerging as on equivalent to socially responsible investing Eco-investing or green investing, is a form of socially responsible investing where investments are made in companies that support or provide environmentally friendly products and practices. These companies encourage new technologies that support the transition from carbon dependence to more sustainable alternatives. Green finance is “any structured financial activity that has been created to ensure a better environmental outcome.” Green financing could be promoted through changes In countries regulatory frameworks, harmonizing public financial incentives, increases in green financing from different sectors, alignment of public sector financing decision-making with the environmental dimension of the Sustainable Development Goals, increases in investment In clean and green technologies, financing for sustainable natural resource-based green economies and climate smart blue economy, increase use of green bonds, and soon.
Along with the shift in global thoughts, commerce and its allied activities have also moved towards green alternatives. Recognizing the need for climate resilient initiatives we all should assist the businesses in adopting the above initiatives.
Rather than putting the blame on a particular industry or sector, let us all join our hands in making our earth greener. Ultimately it’s the implementation of these initiatives that matter the most.
Moving people and goods accounts for one-quarter of global energy use, and the demand for energy from this sector is continuing to grow. This is due mainly to the increasing number and size of vehicles on our roads: more than 1.42 billion are currently in use, with an expected two billion by 2040. Road vehicles, most still powered by fossil fuels, account for nearly 75 per cent of total transport-related greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions from aviation and shipping are also projected to sail upwards between now and 2050. Flying contributes 12 per cent of the world’s total carbon dioxide emissions, while the marine sector, if it were a country, would be ranked between Germany and Japan as the sixth-largest source.
Why to Decarbonize the Transport?
Climate change cannot be stopped without decarbonizing transport. Transport emits around 23% of the energy-related CO2 that feeds global warming. Without immediate action, its share could reach 40% by 2030. Transport emissions have grown faster than those of any other sector over the past 50 years. Demand for transport will continue to grow massively in the coming decades. As a result CO2 emissions from transport activity will not fall, but could increase by 60% by 2050. And because transport relies on oil for 92% of its energy, it is particularly hard to decarbonize.
Ambition of the Initiative
The Decarbonising Transport initiative helps governments and industry to translate climate ambitions into actions. Specifically, it:
Builds a catalogue of effective CO2 mitigation measures: the Transport Climate Action Directory.
Provides targeted analytical assistance for countries and partners to identify climate actions that work.
Gathers and shares evidence for best practices that will accelerate the transition to carbon-neutral mobility.
Shapes the climate change debate by building a global policy dialogue and by bringing the transport perspective to the broader climate change discussions.
Stream of the Initiative
The Decarbonising Transport initiative is organised in five work streams:
Tracking progress: The initiative evaluates how current mitigation measures contribute to reaching objectives for reducing transport CO2.
In-depth sectoral studies: The initiative identifies effective policies for decarbonizing urban passenger transport, road freight transport, maritime transport, aviation and inter-urban transport.
Focus studies: The initiative analyses specific decarbonization issues and feeds the results into other work streams.
National pathways: The initiative assesses available policy levers for decarbonizing transport from a country perspective. Projects may also examine regional or sub-national levels.
Policy Dialogue: The initiative organizes global dialogue on transport and climate change through high-level roundtables, policy briefings and technical workshops. It acts as a conduit for transport sector input to climate change negotiations.
Conclusion
The Decarbonizing Transport initiative was launched in 2016 with core funding from the ITF’s Corporate Partnership Board (CPB). Other funding partners currently include the governments of France, Korea, Ireland and the Netherlands, the World Bank, the European Commission, the Climate Works Foundation, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the FIA Foundation, the International Road Transport Union (IRU) and the Swedish Shipowners’ Association. In recognition of the work of its Decarbonizing Transport initiative, the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC) has named the International Transport Forum a focal point for transport under its Marrakech Partnership. In this role, the ITF acts as a conduit for the exchange of information between the transport sector and the UNFCCC, as well as providing inputs to the UNFCCC process.
Pollution changes a medium such as air, water, or soil in a way that can make it harmful to people or nature. Different types of pollutants include chemicals, dust, noise, and radiation. The word pollution comes from the Latin ‘polluere’ that simply means contamination. Hence, in layman terms, pollution is something that contaminates the environment. The presence of harmful substances in the air, land, and water, which can harm living beings and the environment is pollution. Referring to harmful gases, fluid, or other pernicious matter that are released or introduced in the natural environment.
Pollution and its causes
Inhaling poisonous air is as hazardous as smoking. It is not only the humans who are affected by this polluted environment but also the animals. Air is filled with highly toxic gases. These dangerous gases in the environment are released by the power industries that burn fossil fuels, industries that dispose of waste in the water, farmers using pesticides, high usage of artificial lights and loud sounds, etc. Each of these leads to the generation of the life-threatening cause – pollution. Any use of natural resources at a rate higher than nature’s capacity to restore itself can result in pollution of air, water, and land. Other than human activities, there are a few periodic natural cycles that also result in the release of dangerous stuff. Natural activities other than human ones like volcanic eruptions and dust wildfires, etc also result in the creation of pollution.
Globalization is another major cause of pollution. Globalization has become an effective facilitator of environmental degradation.
Types of pollution
Pollution can be categorized as follows-
• Air Pollution: It is the contamination of the natural air by mixing it with different pollutants such as harmful fumes and chemicals. This type of contamination can be caused by burning material or by gases emitted by vehicles or harmful fumes emitted as a by-product of industries. Global warming is one of the biggest side effects of air pollution as per the experts.
• Water Pollution: It is the contamination of the water on the planet Earth. It includes water contamination by pollutants such as bacterial, chemical, and particulate that reduces the purity of the water. Oil seepage, as well as littering, is one of the most common forms of pollution. It mainly occurs in lakes, oceans, rivers, and even underground reservoirs.
• Soil Pollution: It is also known as land pollution. It is the contamination of the soil or the land that prevents the growth of natural life. It includes land usage for irrigation, wildlife as well as habitation. The very common causes of soil pollution include hazardous wastage, mining as well as littering, non-sustainable farming practice, seepage into the soil, etc.
• Noise Pollution: It is the loud noises that are fashioned by human activities that disturb the standard of living in the affected area. It can shoot from things such as railroads, traffic, loud music, concerts, airplanes, fireworks, etc. This can even result in permanent or temporary loss of hearing as well as disturbances to wildlife.
• Radioactive Pollution:- This is one of the most dangerous forms of pollution. It is enormously harmful and can even result in death. Radioactive pollution results in the pollution of the air and land with radioactive poisoning. Leakages or accidents at nuclear power plants, as well as from improper disposal of nuclear waste are also reasons for this pollution. This pollution results in birth defects, cancer, deteriorating health, and even death.
The term ‘organic’ was first coined by Northbourne, in 1940, in his book entitled ‘Look to the Land’. In recent years, organic farming as a cultivation process is gaining increasing popularity . Organically grown foods have become one of the best choices for both consumers and farmers. Organically grown foods are part of go green lifestyle.
Farmers showing their Organic Harvest
Why Being Preferred These Days: The Importance of Organic Farming
Food quality and safety are two vital factors that have attained constant attention in common people. Growing environmental awareness and several food hazards (e.g. dioxins, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, and bacterial contamination) have substantially decreased the consumer’s trust towards food quality in the last decades. Intensive conventional farming can add contamination to the food chain. For these reasons, consumers are quested for safer and better foods that are produced through more ecologically and authentically by local systems. Organically grown food and food products are believed to meet these demands.
Organic Farming Processes
Organic Farming Process
Organic farming and food processing practices are wide-ranging and necessitate the development of socially, ecologically, and economically sustainable food production system. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) has suggested the basic four principles of organic farming, i.e. the principle of health, ecology, fairness, and care . The main principles and practices of organic food production are to inspire and enhance biological cycles in the farming system, keep and enhance deep-rooted soil fertility, reduce all types of pollution, evade the application of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, conserve genetic diversity in food, consider the vast socio-ecological impact of food production, and produce high-quality food in sufficient quantity.
Principles of Organic Farming
According to the National Organic Programme implemented by USDA Organic Food Production Act (OFPA, 1990), agriculture needs specific prerequisites for both crop cultivation and animal husbandry. To be acceptable as organic, crops should be cultivated in lands without any synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and herbicides for 3 years before harvesting with enough buffer zone to lower contamination from the adjacent farms. Genetically engineered products, sewage sludge, and ionizing radiation are strictly prohibited. Fertility and nutrient content of soil are managed primarily by farming practices, with crop rotation, and using cover crops that are boosted with animal and plant waste manures. Pests, diseases, and weeds are mainly controlled with the adaptation of physical and biological control systems without using herbicides and synthetic pesticides. Organic livestock should be reared devoid of scheduled application of growth hormones or antibiotics and they should be provided with enough access to the outdoor. Preventive health practices such as routine vaccination, vitamins and minerals supplementation are also needed.
Principles of Organic Farming
Types of Organic Farming
Organic Farming are of two types. Here are the two types of Organic Farming being performed in India.
(a)Pure Organic Farming – pure organic farming, there is avoiding every unnatural chemical. In the process of pure farming, fertilizer and pesticides obtain from natural sources. It is called a pure form of organic farming. Pure organic farming is the best for high productivity.
(b) Integrated Organic Farming – Integrated organic farming consists of integrated nutrients management and integrated pest management.
Organic Farming in India
Organic farming is in a nascent stage in India. About 2.78 million hectare of farmland was under organic cultivation as of March 2020, according to the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. This is two per cent of the 140.1 million net sown area in the country. A few states have taken the lead in improving organic farming coverage, as a major part of this area is concentrated only in a handful of states. Madhya Pradesh tops the list with 0.76 million of area under organic cultivation — that is over 27 per cent of India’s total organic cultivation area. The top three states — Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra — account for about half the area under organic cultivation. The top 10 states account for about 80 per cent of the total area under organic cultivation. Sikkim is the only Indian state to have become fully organic so far. Even though India has very small organic area under cultivation, in terms of number of organic farmers it is being ranked first. India has over 1.9 million farmers as of March 2020, which is 1.3 per cent of 146 million agricultural landholders.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Organic Farming
Advantages of Organic Farming
Organic farming in India is very economical, it uses no expensive fertilizers, pesticides, HYV seeds for the plantation of crops. It has no expenses.
With the use of cheaper and local inputs, a farmer can earn a good return on investment. This is one of the most important benefits of organic farming in India.
There is a huge demand for organic products in India and worldwide and can earn more income through export.
Organic products are more nutritional, tasty, and good for health to chemical and fertilizer utilized products.
Organic farming in India is very environment friendly, it does not use fertilizers and chemicals.
Disadvantages of Organic Farming
Organic farming in India has fewer choices, and off-season crops are limited.
Organic agricultural products are low in the early years. Farmers find it difficult to accommodate mass production.
The main disadvantage of organic farming is the lack of marketing of the products and Inadequate infrastructure.
Organic Farming in India
Future of Organic Farming in India
India is an agriculture-based country with 67% of its population and 55% of manpower depending on farming and related activities. Agriculture fulfils the basic needs of India’s fastest-growing population accounted for 30% of total income. Organic farming has been found to be an indigenous practice of India that practised in countless rural and farming communities over the millennium. The arrival of modern techniques and increased burden of population led to a propensity towards conventional farming that involves the use of synthetic fertilizer, chemical pesticides, application of genetic modification techniques, etc.
Organic Farming leads to Sustainability and Holistic Growth
Even in developing countries like India, the demand for organically grown produce is more as people are more aware now about the safety and quality of food, and the organic process has a massive influence on soil health, which devoid of chemical pesticides. Organic cultivation has an immense prospect of income generation too. The soil in India is bestowed with various types of naturally available organic nutrient resources that aid in organic farming.
As per data collected from Government of India
Conclusion
India is a country with a concrete traditional farming system, ingenious farmers, extensive drylands, and nominal use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Moreover, adequate rainfall in north-east hilly regions of the country where few negligible chemicals are employed for a long period of time, come to fruition as naturally organic lands. Organic farming yields more nutritious and safe food. The popularity of organic food is growing dramatically as consumer seeks the organic foods that are thought to be healthier and safer. Thus, organic food perhaps ensures food safety from farm to plate. The organic farming process is more eco-friendly than conventional farming. Organic farming keeps soil healthy and maintains environment integrity thereby, promoting the health of consumers. Moreover, the organic produce market is now the fastest growing market all over the world including India. Organic agriculture promotes the health of consumers of a nation, the ecological health of a nation, and the economic growth of a nation by income generation holistically. India, at present, is the world’s largest organic producers and with this vision, we can conclude that encouraging organic farming in India can build a nutritionally, ecologically, and economically healthy nation in near future.
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