Creating a green planet

Disna Mudalige

Our planet is at a critical juncture today, in the wake of the climate calamity. In the name of modern development, man has constantly been exploiting the bountiful natural resources of our mother earth. The earth strives to fulfill an infinite set of ever expanding needs of the humans through her finite resources. This process has brought the planet to the brink of destruction with such a short span of time after industrialization

The market economics introduced products that can be or rather should be thrown away after its very first use. Fine example would be the ballpoint pen that

replaced the ink pen which could be reused over and over again. Though not experienced in Sri Lanka, it is heard that people in the Western developed countries, discard their clothes after they wear it once or twice, without washing and reusing. To replace them they buy more and more clothes spending more and more money.

Today, in many countries of the world, there is a surplus of commodities. The producers are using all kinds of tactics to promote their brands through advertising. Surpassing the old economic theory ‘Supply to the Demand’, a new theory has emerged where the demand is created to suit the supply. This process has resulted in an environmental disaster that affects the entire planet.

The careless and destructive exploitation of earth’s resources, excessive and extravagant lives, waste, greed and the technologies that were invented for these very purposes have caused a severe damage to the environment.

While progressing in the fast track towards the destruction, the world has now sensed the threat they themselves pose with the large-scale pollution of the air, water and soil, which are so crucial for the existence of life on earth.

Now the man has desperately wanted to slow down his ride in the direction of calamity, by moving towards technologies that had only half the damage potential of the earlier systems. However, yet we have failed to stop the increase in global temperatures. At least, the world has still not been able to unit to face this challenge.

At the edge of the Doom

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) statistics and predictions, we are already late to undo our wrong doings.

As it states, if not taken serious action for a drastic cut down of carbon dioxide emissions, the situation surpasses human control in between the time of 2035-45. In that sense, this whole story is about another three decades. After that, the man can do nothing but watch out!

The modern world has faced triple fears. They are oil, climate and economy. The stock of oil that the world civilization depends on is coming to an end very fast and within the next few years to come the man will experience the end of fossil fuel era.

Unfortunately, the majority in the world is completely unaware of this tragedy and even the handful who knows it is helpless and desperate.

Today, the world recognizes the fact that the only solution to the triple fear of oil, climate and economy is to shift towards a green economy, green lifestyles and green jobs and livelihoods.

Sri Lanka has the potentiality to establish such a system, since we have the geophysical and natural resources for this task. What required is the commitment, unity and will of government institutions, the private sector, the media and civil society. While contributing to the global debate, strategy planning and advocacy effort, we are able to shine out as a wonderful example to the whole planet.

Reducing the Carbon footprint

The total of carbon emissions by an individual, organisation, business or a government is described as the carbon footprint. Each of us must try to reduce this amount by adapting to low carbon emission methods and products. For this task, knowing where and how you generate greenhouse gases is important. Focusing on the type of energy and the way it is used such as electricity for buildings and fuel for transport etc. would be a good start.

Paris and Vienna, for example, offer a public bicycle system that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion.

It is estimated that using recycled paper can save 1.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide for every tonne of paper and cardboard.

Very simple measures such as turning off unused lights, motors, computers, fans can also substantially contribute to decrease the carbon footprint. Compact fluorescent lights have evolved rapidly in the past decade.

They now last between six and 15 years and reduce electricity use by a minimum of 75 percent compared to a standard incandescent bulb. Using advanced web and video conferencing technology and telecommunication will help to de-carbon yourself by reducing the travelling.

Switching to renewable energy sources is another option. Generally, coal produces twice the emissions of gas, six times the amount of solar, 40 times and the amount of wind and 200 times the amount from hydro.

In many parts of the world, bio fuels are becoming more popular and easier to find commercially and in various blends. They are often blended with petrol or diesel and almost all vehicles can run on blends up to 10 percent without modification. Bio fuels are a cost effective low carbon alternative.

After all, carbon is generally the waste product of producing energy. Reducing waste and becoming more efficient by integrating the 3R method - reduce, reuse and recycle - into your thinking will be a good approach. Changing for a simple lifestyle and planting more trees while nursing planted trees may be necessary at this critical juncture.

The burden of carbon footprint lies on every shoulder. Being exemplary, let us be in the leading position for a change towards a greener, self-sufficient, harmonious life system. Let us commit ourselves to establish a greener planet through the establishment of a Green Sri Lanka.

References: State of the Nation on Climate Change by the People’s Secretariat on Climate Change - Twelve Steps to Help You Kick the CO2 Habit Booklet by Nimal Perera