Time to think on deterioration of our Environment and Social Space

Society is grappling with the menace of pollution, global warming, drugs and social media addiction among kids. The policies are mostly created considering the business class in mind with little or no emphasis on the situation of ordinary people or the middle class.

Air pollution leads to several premature deaths due to cardiometabolic conditions that arises from polluted air generated due to automobiles and industry. Air pollution is contributing to one in 10 deaths globally. It’s a classic example of how a monster can be created for luxury and to make things easier and without a proper impact assessment. The automobile Market has grown at a very rapid rate. While the role of this industry cannot be denied in providing ease of transportation, it's a major contributor to global warming. Lungs and heart ailments are common among citizens due to constant exposure to polluted air. Every person cannot afford the luxury of a car for his day-to-day trip and all such people are constantly exposed to the polluted air. WHO can be a mute spectator in such situations and more pressure needs to be built up to achieve the green energy targets across the world. Awareness through digital, print and other media can be given to public about use of Government transport facilities to reduce the traffic burden and to check air pollution. “Right to pure air” can also be made a fundamental right.

Landslide and forest fires are rapidly increasing due to large infrastructure projects in eco-sensitive zones. Such projects mostly ignore expert advice and without performing a proper impact assessment related to environmental imbalance. The green belt in many countries is deteriorating at a rapid pace to make habitant for the exponential population growth. The natural flora and fauna is depleting in the concrete forest created to accommodate the population. Lack of government awareness and a surge in global temperature leads to an increase in forest fire incidents across the globe. In the absence of a robust action plan, we are rapidly moving towards a volcano which is waiting for eruption at any point of time. Wildlife experts need to be empowered with more powers by the judiciary, bureaucrats and government level for proper analysis of the “Risk to Benefit” ratio. Development and nature can co-exist together with proper natural balance and sensitiveness.

In each summer, the temperature is increasing at an alarming rate. Rapid meltdown of glaciers is happening with each passing year. Each year, many people die from heat strokes.

Constant use of pesticides and plastic materials has contaminated our entire food chain. Governments all over the world need to shift the focus towards organic farming, the use of organic fertilizers and natural materials. Special incentives can be announced for the establishment of such industries on a PPP (Public Private Partnership) Model.

With each passing generation, kids all over the world are becoming less interested in outdoor social activities and mostly confine themselves to their own social media space. Due to fewer physical activities and fewer social gatherings, fatigue, obesity and mental diseases are becoming common. Sleep disorder, anxiety and smartphone addition are common among the younger generation. The awareness programme is the need of the hour to sensitize parents about the disadvantages of constant use of social media.

While rich people or the business class can afford all the luxuries to get rid of air pollution and to detoxify themselves in high destinations, it’s the common person who is facing all the agony and burn of such policy paralysis. All these disasters caused by humans are rapidly destroying our environment and social balance. There is a dire need to move out of our comfort zone and to sensitize fellow citizens to protect our environment and kids. The government needs to be more accountable towards such situations and shift the focus from corporate-friendly to people-friendly. Because life of a common man do matters not only for his family but also for society and nation.