Climate change inevitable - Environmentalist
Hemanthi Guruge
The current ‘greed’ based world economic system needs to be replaced
for the well-being of the future generation, Global Sustainability
Solutions Chairman Uchita de Zoysa said.
Uchita de Zoysa |
Addressing members of the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce he
said the world has triggered a food, fuel and financial crisis and as a
result there is climate change. “Climate change is the greatest
challenge facing humans and worsening conditions will multiply this
crisis,” he said.
“Earth is on fire and climate change is inevitable. But, it appears
as if the business establishments don’t take this seriously and for them
its ‘business as usual,’” he said.
De Zoysa added that industry has taken a lot from the world’s natural
pool of resources and in return has let out waste and pollutants to the
environment. “By doing this they have destroyed the biodiversity and
balance in the ecological system,” he said.
“The world is in the midst of a colossal shift. The decisions that
are going to be made by emerging economic giants, China and India that
would be made in the next several years will have a huge impact on the
quality of life throughout the world,” he said.
“In an effort towards reaching climate sustainability humans have to
behave in a way that brings the ecological system of the planet to the
well-being of our future generation,” he said.
In a green economy, growth in income and employment should be driven
by private and public investments that reduce carbon emissions,
pollution, enhance energy, resource efficiency, and prevent the loss of
biodiversity and ecological system. Women’s Chamber of Industry and
Commerce Chairperson Vidyani Hettigoda said Sri Lanka has a fast growing
economy and care should be taken to protect the environment system of
the country. |