Save energy the Chinese way

We need to take a leaf from the Chinese who are credited with having made the pronouncement: "It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness."

This is exactly what they have done in the energy-saving context. The Chinese Government has reportedly urged its public servants to forego the luxuries afforded by energy-consuming devices, such as air conditioners, cars and elevators, for one day as part of an energy-saving awareness campaign.

It was hoped that by refraining from using these facilities, China's pubic servants - who annually consume five percent of the country's electricity - would serve as an example to the rest of the population as model energy-savers.

Therefore instead of using cars for transportation and other energy-dependent devices and facilities, Chinese public servants were exhorted to do without them for one day, in a rare example of simple, spartan living. Among other things, this would have enabled the Chinese authorities to save a substantial amount of energy resources.

It was only last week that we commented on a new "Cool Biz" campaign in Japan where employees were asked to dress in light, casual clothes and turn down the airconditioning.

Japan, one of the few truly developed countries in Asia and China, perhaps the world's fastest growing economy, have adopted these measures with a reason. Traffic jams clog the streets of their capitals and all their high-rise buildings are equipped with high-speed lifts and airconditioners which consume a massive amount of electricity. Vehicles emit noxious gases which pollute the air and the generation of electricity also leads to the greenhouse effect through the use of fossil fuels.

Some European countries have gone one step further, by banning cars altogether in their main cities at least a few days every year. The cities are opened to cyclists and pedestrians and only public buses are allowed to ply.

Why cannot Sri Lankans emulate the Chinese in this respect? Instead of cursing the "darkness" generated by high energy prices why don't we too "light a candle" by engaging in energy and power-saving exercises which would benefit Sri Lanka in multiple ways, besides establishing the virtue of simple living? We believe the Sri Lankan Government should give deep thought to this proposal and launch energy-saving days of our own.

Car culture has taken root in Sri Lanka, with everyone aspiring to own one, partly because of the woeful public transport system. Government servants, especially the senior ones, enjoy a number of perks including an official car. It is an open secret that the "official" car is often used for private purposes, such as taking children to the school and shopping. The State has to incur a massive fuel bill for these official cars.

Taking a cue from China, our Government servants and even private sector employees can adopt a practical car pooling system, whereby those living along one route share their cars on designated days. Another alternative is the provision of official transport (van, minibus) to and from office, which will leave individual cars for weekend trips. Developing a super-efficient public transport system is the ultimate solution, however.

There are many instances where airconditioners can be turned off in Government and private offices - some A/Cs run in empty rooms. It would do no harm to let natural air and light in on certain days, saving electricity in the process. Taking the stairs instead of the lift can do wonders for one's health. These are small steps that can collectively translate into a big saving for the whole country. It is plain to see that of the numerous malaises assailing Sri Lankan society, "keeping-up appearances" is one of the most injurious and grievous. Living beyond our means is a way of life with most of us. This is particularly marked in the country's utilisation of power and energy resources.

To begin with, we have a fetish for heavy consumption. When we could do with smaller, less energy-dependent cars and vehicles, we go in for large, sleek cars and contrivances which help run-up a formidable energy bill. So obnoxious is this tendency that very often spacious cars are used to transport just one or two persons.

Bicycles and busing are simply out of the question for most of our bureaucrats and "corporate types" for whom the glittering exterior is all. In any case, walking and cycling can almost be ruled out in this country, unless for very short distances, because there is no proper infrastructure to support them. At the moment they remain extremely dangerous, as our roads are centred on the motorist. It would be beneficial in the long term to design walking/cycling lanes as in developed countries and to develop a "cycling culture".

However, the costs to the country, from such idle habits are terribly high. Besides a crushing import bill on cars and vehicles, our fuel expenditure reaches astronomical heights. The result is, of course, the relentless impoverishment of the country.

We need to think seriously on these things. For how long do we intend to live beyond our means and keep on contracting the illnesses of the affluent - high blood sugar, cholesterol, pressure etc. All such ills also mean a climbing health bill.

In exercises such as these the example needs to come from the so-called top. The political and bureaucratic elite must show the away in energy and power saving. They need to go the "extra mile" on foot so that the rest of the country would be enthused into following their example.

Besides, these elites need to show the way in the cultivation of simple ways. To begin with, they must go in for simple rather than expensive homesteads.

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