Pollution free world, the best business investment of all time

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Written by Kamal Narayan Omer, CEO, IHW Council  

Every year 2nd December is observed as the National Pollution Control Day in honour of all those who have lost their lives in the Bhopal Gas tragedy on this day in 1984, in one of the biggest industrial pollution disasters in the history. The leakage of the poisonous Methyl Isocyanate from an insecticide plant of the Union Carbide Corporation created havoc in the residential neighbourhood and the impact of that disaster is still witnessed in the flora and fauna of the area.

According to many estimates more than 400 tons of industrial waste is still present on the site, not surprisingly the pollution in soil and water is even blamed today for birth defects in the region. The aim of commemorating the day is to remind people of the significance of a healthy and safe environment and the imperative role that it plays in our wellbeing.

It is not a secret that the world is facing an existence crisis which have been further fuelled by the pandemic, making us realise the fragility of human life. History is witness to the innumerable ways in which man has directly as well as indirectly influenced his environment while being influenced by it with far reaching implications for both. Human population has been rather late in realizing the significance of a clean and pollution free environment but then it’s better late than never.

The last decade has witnessed impending changes to the ecosystem and resulted in an array of unwanted alterations that are a serious threat to mankind. It has not only disturbed the environment and the fundamental aspects essential for the existence of human life namely air, water, food and shelter but also lead to global warming as well as habitat loss.

The pressing concerns if not addressed immediately can play havoc with the planet, which is our only resort to life and well – being. Lately there has been a growing focus on living sustainably in harmony with nature while also ensuring that we collectively work towards a greener and healthier planet.

With Indian metros topping the chart of the most polluted cities in the world, the government has been trying to actively get involved in the discourse surrounding environment and pollution. From ban on plastic use and crackers to river cleanliness projects, initiating reforms for a healthier environment has been on the government’s agenda. However, for a long term and sustainable impact it should be noted that at the policy implementation level environmental concerns should receive precedence over financial gains instead of the other way round.

It is high time that we move forward in a planned and systematic manner initiating futuristic investments which can address both the concerns with a more resource effective approach and help break the vicious circle of environment degradation and economic development.

With Covid19 paving way for a newer virtual world, corporates can now afford to go digital while cutting down on fuel expenses thus saving the environment as well as resources. To tackle the issue of soil pollution proper waste management practices and limited use of pesticides need to be initiated. With concepts like Vocal for Local, Go Green and Swatch Bharat catching the fancy of all, it is the time to include all stakeholders in this change for a better world.

Governments and policy makers can initiate advocacy changes that are inevitable to achieve a sustainable world and can successfully deliver long term results. They can also create awareness on the issue along with corporate and other relevant stakeholders making everyone realize the importance of a non – hazardous and unpolluted environment. Business organizations should encourage positive actions centred on ethical environmental practices viewing them as part of the joined effort for the wellbeing of all and a holistic approach around health rather than forced and mandatory responsibility.

The onset of the pandemic has made all of us realize that “Leave no One Behind” as proclaimed in the SDG’s is the much – needed approach and further to that the wellbeing of all is inadvertently linked to each other. Hence a multi sectoral approach involving civil society efforts can be a game changer in this regard. 

Even at the most micro level, individual level people from all walks of life can make trivial but sustainable changes in their everyday life, to reduce their carbon footprint and make their routine eco-friendly. In keeping with our cultural and shared ethos it is every citizen’s fundamental duty as embodied in the constitution; preservation of nature is essential without which life is not possible.

The knowledge of constitutional provisions regarding environment protection should be encouraged to bring greater public participation, environmental awareness and education and to sensitize people to work towards preserving ecology and environment.

‘Charity begins at Home’, a small step can go a long way in not only mitigating the critical issue of toxins created by plastic but also create awareness around the issue thus motivating others to follow.

Reusing disposable items instead of discarding them immediately, carrying a cloth bag on a shopping spree, opting for hade made porcelain and clay dishes in place of microwavable plastic utensils and using public transport or car-pooling are some small but significant steps that can prove beneficial in future, if followed as a mass change. Remember any policy regulation by the government can prove to be sustainable only through people’s participation and willingness, which in turn can be achieved through awareness creation.

The adverse health impact of pollution is an immediate public health concern in the country from different kinds of cancer to asthma, from infertility to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a multitude of diseases are linked to pollution. The post Covid19 recovery plans cannot be successful if we fail to include actions to mitigate the process of environmental hazards. Instead of opting for short -term knee jerk solutions it is imperative that we ensure long term sustainable solutions to the ever – growing problem of pollution as the the right business investment for a better future for all.

Every year 2nd December is observed as the National Pollution Control Day in honour of all those who have lost their lives in the Bhopal Gas tragedy on this day in 1984, in one of the biggest industrial pollution disasters in the history. The leakage of the poisonous Methyl Isocyanate from an insecticide plant of the Union Carbide Corporation created havoc in the residential neighbourhood and the impact of that disaster is still witnessed in the flora and fauna of the area.

According to many estimates more than 400 tons of industrial waste is still present on the site, not surprisingly the pollution in soil and water is even blamed today for birth defects in the region. The aim of commemorating the day is to remind people of the significance of a healthy and safe environment and the imperative role that it plays in our wellbeing.

It is not a secret that the world is facing an existence crisis which have been further fuelled by the pandemic, making us realise the fragility of human life. History is witness to the innumerable ways in which man has directly as well as indirectly influenced his environment while being influenced by it with far reaching implications for both. Human population has been rather late in realizing the significance of a clean and pollution free environment but then it’s better late than never.

The last decade has witnessed impending changes to the ecosystem and resulted in an array of unwanted alterations that are a serious threat to mankind. It has not only disturbed the environment and the fundamental aspects essential for the existence of human life namely air, water, food and shelter but also lead to global warming as well as habitat loss.

The pressing concerns if not addressed immediately can play havoc with the planet, which is our only resort to life and well – being. Lately there has been a growing focus on living sustainably in harmony with nature while also ensuring that we collectively work towards a greener and healthier planet.

With Indian metros topping the chart of the most polluted cities in the world, the government has been trying to actively get involved in the discourse surrounding environment and pollution. From ban on plastic use and crackers to river cleanliness projects, initiating reforms for a healthier environment has been on the government’s agenda. However, for a long term and sustainable impact it should be noted that at the policy implementation level environmental concerns should receive precedence over financial gains instead of the other way round.

It is high time that we move forward in a planned and systematic manner initiating futuristic investments which can address both the concerns with a more resource effective approach and help break the vicious circle of environment degradation and economic development.

With Covid19 paving way for a newer virtual world, corporates can now afford to go digital while cutting down on fuel expenses thus saving the environment as well as resources. To tackle the issue of soil pollution proper waste management practices and limited use of pesticides need to be initiated. With concepts like Vocal for Local, Go Green and Swatch Bharat catching the fancy of all, it is the time to include all stakeholders in this change for a better world.

Governments and policy makers can initiate advocacy changes that are inevitable to achieve a sustainable world and can successfully deliver long term results. They can also create awareness on the issue along with corporate and other relevant stakeholders making everyone realize the importance of a non – hazardous and unpolluted environment. Business organizations should encourage positive actions centred on ethical environmental practices viewing them as part of the joined effort for the wellbeing of all and a holistic approach around health rather than forced and mandatory responsibility.

The onset of the pandemic has made all of us realize that “Leave no One Behind” as proclaimed in the SDG’s is the much – needed approach and further to that the wellbeing of all is inadvertently linked to each other. Hence a multi sectoral approach involving civil society efforts can be a game changer in this regard. 

Even at the most micro level, individual level people from all walks of life can make trivial but sustainable changes in their everyday life, to reduce their carbon footprint and make their routine eco-friendly. In keeping with our cultural and shared ethos it is every citizen’s fundamental duty as embodied in the constitution; preservation of nature is essential without which life is not possible. The knowledge of constitutional provisions regarding environment protection should be encouraged to bring greater public participation, environmental awareness and education and to sensitize people to work towards preserving ecology and environment.

‘Charity begins at Home’, a small step can go a long way in not only mitigating the critical issue of toxins created by plastic but also create awareness around the issue thus motivating others to follow. Reusing disposable items instead of discarding them immediately, carrying a cloth bag on a shopping spree, opting for hade made porcelain and clay dishes in place of microwavable plastic utensils and using public transport or car-pooling are some small but significant steps that can prove beneficial in future, if followed as a mass change.

Remember any policy regulation by the government can prove to be sustainable only through people’s participation and willingness, which in turn can be achieved through awareness creation.

The adverse health impact of pollution is an immediate public health concern in the country from different kinds of cancer to asthma, from infertility to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a multitude of diseases are linked to pollution. The post Covid19 recovery plans cannot be successful if we fail to include actions to mitigate the process of environmental hazards. Instead of opting for short -term knee jerk solutions it is imperative that we ensure long term sustainable solutions to the ever – growing problem of pollution as the the right business investment for a better future for all.

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