The rate of raw material consumption has rocketed over the last decade as in direct proportion to the rate of increase in consumption and population. But how come such a civilized bunch of people have no control over sustainability and welfare of the environment? Then what is the difference between a bushman and a civilized man? Both are the same I presume, or at least the Bushmen do not destroy the environment! Even if he does, it would be out of his ignorance and lack of knowledge, what about the civilized world? I always remember the saying: Short term benefit is a pathway or bed of roses to the farthest loss or deep pit!
A portable radio can be purchased for a fiver these days, at the same time, ten years ago the same product would have cost a tenner. This is when externalities jump in and save the consumer. As the age old theory of economics states: the demand and supply curve, when demand is higher, the supply is higher (directly proportional),when the demand is higher, the prices are lower (inversely proportional). So the seller would obviously search for avenues where he can manufacture the product at a minimum cost to reap the maximum benefit. The solution is, shifting of factories to places where labour cost and raw material cost would be cheaper. Low tax rates, and lack of environmental laws which are other reasons why big corporations like the US, UK, Australia, Russia have an eye on these developing nations for the windfall profits they are looking for. In other words they are jumping into these nations to reap the short term benefits. Globalisation is the norm of the century, where nations do not exist. This is liberation of companies from national obligation to exploit the benefits of the new global economy. The doors are open for trade and the World is seen as One. But why not the environmental laws? Why not execute environmental laws that would apply to any country irrespective of their economy.
Prices for iron, copper, tin, silver, gold, molybdenum (hard metal used in steel) have all increased by 300 to 500 % over the past decade. Of course it is good news that it provides income and employment to that nation, but in terms of sustainability nothing is being done. Legal miners can be monitored and managed to a sustainable level, but what about the illegal miners? Miners from the developing countries like Indonesia have been reported blasting river banks with pressure hoses, thereby destroying the ecosystem, contaminating the water body and poisoning the life in rivers, resulting in scarcity of drinking water and unemployment to the fishermen who thrive on these waters for their daily sustenance. The next issue is waste disposal after mining which consists of harmful chemicals like cyanide and manganese, often disposed off deep in the forests, which would eventually reach the rivers during the monsoon season. So where do we stand? What are these big NGO's like Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth doing at all? I just wonder!!!!
I have spoken already about seeing the world as one in terms of trade and economy....
Some guidelines to seeing the world as One in terms of environment........
This is were receiving nations have to be subjected to higher standards and environmental laws to take anything out of the donating nation. Therefore anything illegal can be controlled. Strict laws, management measures and regimes have to be implemented to attain the goal of sustainability. Only renewable resources should be made allowable to use. Providing alternative employment to illegal miners who obviously come under lower income groups, this is where the Government has to step in and provide income support, from the huge amount of tax that they collect from the working class! So the Government has to stop gulping in all the taxes and make use of it! The big bad wolf needs some taming, I am talking about the Government!! This is where celebrities or personalities of great power for eg: business men, should come forward and influence the Government. Or in other words, social work and concern for people and environment has to be our duty in the 21st century.
Friday, 15 August 2008
Monday, 11 August 2008
Ise Dise
The Plastic bag issue....
I hope I have mentioned previously that I refuse plastic bags wherever I go....sometimes I have my clothbags/ used plastic bags, handy with me.
Yesterday I went into a shop to buy a pair of shoes, the till operator scanned the item to purchase and started to pack up.....when I interrupted her and said 'no thanks I don't need a bag' and she went ok...and then I said 'I don't need the box at all...just the shoes please'...and then she started.........
ise di se ur e reliogione ?
I was like 'what??!!!'
From her accent I could guess she was from eastern Europe. But why drag religion into environment? Does it mean that refusing plastic bags is some kind of religious belief? or does any religion say not to use plastic bags? I was really aggravated by her question, but I controlled myself. Then what the hell is our job? haha.....but sometimes people get on my nerves! I must say that. People are so ignorant in this world, all they know is to work and shop and eat!! Gawdsake!
ise dise ure reliogione?
Sorry I'm just taking away my frustration!
I hope I have mentioned previously that I refuse plastic bags wherever I go....sometimes I have my clothbags/ used plastic bags, handy with me.
Yesterday I went into a shop to buy a pair of shoes, the till operator scanned the item to purchase and started to pack up.....when I interrupted her and said 'no thanks I don't need a bag' and she went ok...and then I said 'I don't need the box at all...just the shoes please'...and then she started.........
ise di se ur e reliogione ?
I was like 'what??!!!'
From her accent I could guess she was from eastern Europe. But why drag religion into environment? Does it mean that refusing plastic bags is some kind of religious belief? or does any religion say not to use plastic bags? I was really aggravated by her question, but I controlled myself. Then what the hell is our job? haha.....but sometimes people get on my nerves! I must say that. People are so ignorant in this world, all they know is to work and shop and eat!! Gawdsake!
ise dise ure reliogione?
Sorry I'm just taking away my frustration!
Saturday, 17 May 2008
Timber Logging
This time I just can’t walk away from the most perilous topic- timber logging. Timber trade is the biggest threat to biodiversity loss. 46.4 % of the world’s forests have been lost in the past 100years. (Source: Nature).
Scenario.
The UK imports 90% of its tropical timber from these countries-
Brazil- 35%
Indonesia- 35%
Malaysia- 20%
Cameroon-3%
Other tropical countries- 7%
(Source: Eurostat) that whopping 90% of import is actually squeezing the lungs of planet earth (I couldn’t stress enough!) making it hard for us to breathe……
Another shocking truth is that, only 1% of the import is legal, the rest is laundered in by false documents. Indonesia has already lost 40 million hectares of forest as a result of timber logging. Illegal logging level in Brazil (often described as the lungs of The earth) is 80%, Indonesia 73% and Malaysia 35% (Source: FOE)
Discussion.
I have given you the scenario, now why is this happening? Why is everyone just closing their eyes at this sensitive issue? Are you not feeling the heat? Haven’t you noticed that summers have gone hotter and humid?
I could imagine the reasons such as poverty probably, easy money, without much labour, or the real issue of corruption. So why aren’t the authorities such as forestry department taking steps to planting trees in this barren land? I have heard policies like, plant a tree when you chop off one, does that work out anywhere? Anyone working in the forestry department in the tropics, please be true to yourself, try and make a difference from now onwards, say no to illegal logging. The Government has to come forward and implement strict policies and also create awareness amongst the local people about the importance of these assets. It is often ignorance and corruption that lead to illegal logging. Campaign programmes should be in full swing in these sensitive areas.
My personal opinion is that, a tree is a life like any other living being on earth, but much more importance to be given, because it replaces the carbon dioxide that we exhale and provide us with fresh O2 through this wonderful process called photosynthesis. Next time you buy a new piece of furniture, ask for the details, like whether the raw material is legally brought in no matter where you reside. So start worshipping your forests, for the count down has already started ………………
Please leave your comments as usual, it means a lot to me, and thanks for your time.
Scenario.
The UK imports 90% of its tropical timber from these countries-
Brazil- 35%
Indonesia- 35%
Malaysia- 20%
Cameroon-3%
Other tropical countries- 7%
(Source: Eurostat) that whopping 90% of import is actually squeezing the lungs of planet earth (I couldn’t stress enough!) making it hard for us to breathe……
Another shocking truth is that, only 1% of the import is legal, the rest is laundered in by false documents. Indonesia has already lost 40 million hectares of forest as a result of timber logging. Illegal logging level in Brazil (often described as the lungs of The earth) is 80%, Indonesia 73% and Malaysia 35% (Source: FOE)
Discussion.
I have given you the scenario, now why is this happening? Why is everyone just closing their eyes at this sensitive issue? Are you not feeling the heat? Haven’t you noticed that summers have gone hotter and humid?
I could imagine the reasons such as poverty probably, easy money, without much labour, or the real issue of corruption. So why aren’t the authorities such as forestry department taking steps to planting trees in this barren land? I have heard policies like, plant a tree when you chop off one, does that work out anywhere? Anyone working in the forestry department in the tropics, please be true to yourself, try and make a difference from now onwards, say no to illegal logging. The Government has to come forward and implement strict policies and also create awareness amongst the local people about the importance of these assets. It is often ignorance and corruption that lead to illegal logging. Campaign programmes should be in full swing in these sensitive areas.
My personal opinion is that, a tree is a life like any other living being on earth, but much more importance to be given, because it replaces the carbon dioxide that we exhale and provide us with fresh O2 through this wonderful process called photosynthesis. Next time you buy a new piece of furniture, ask for the details, like whether the raw material is legally brought in no matter where you reside. So start worshipping your forests, for the count down has already started ………………
Please leave your comments as usual, it means a lot to me, and thanks for your time.
Sunday, 4 May 2008
Gold Digger!
The world is moving towards reaping short-term benefits. Let me start with a simple example battery eggs; did you ever imagine that the consumers would turn to the real life-story of these poor souls crammed up in cages just for the profit of its owner? These days nobody wants battery eggs, instead free-range eggs is the norm. Back to basics…huh? Like farming your own crop within your own land. How wonderful would that be?
What were the scientists/ innovators across the world doing with regards to long- term benefits? Do we classify them as profit hunters as well? Because all they do is create a cluster of books and research papers stack up the libraries and they earn millions for their so called “Discovery”. Risk assessments and the whatnots existed, but did anyone give a damn?
Population explosion, cheap air tickets, car loans, genetically modified crops etc are some of the dire aspects that we have to deal with today.
Population explosion (which stands at 6 billion today) could have been avoided if proper measures were adopted to educate the unknown, i.e.; considering the number of doctors across the world. For e.g.; my father was awarded with some certificate and gold medal for his achievements as a project leader in family planning when he was young (I wasn’t around at that time!!). By the time you move on people get sedentary selfish and forget about what’s happening around and snuggle up to their own comforts. Now he’s far away from social service! My point is that if people were to get into social service at least for a few hours a week during the weekend, it could make a huge difference upon any aspect in the long-run.
Cheap air-tickets which were not there a decade ago, now you can fly to any destination in Europe with a few quid and the internet has made it even cheaper! But then again, no long term goals. Now the environmentalists are out to fight it out, against the CO2 emissions smothering the European skies!
Car loans, cheaper car insurance, making it easier for anyone to purchase a car and again adding up to the CO2 emissions day after day. So does anyone, the so called “intellectuals” think about the long term goals? Or is it human nature? I don’t know!
67 million hectares of crops cultivated worldwide are genetically modified, of which 60% are in the US. I have already written about GM foods previously (you can look up on top 10 posts). The labelling regulations for these foods do not require disclosure of ingredients which is how they existed until now. What a con….eh? Profit hunters! Mutual understanding I presume! And we consumers stand the biggest fools! Next time when you are having that pre-packed food, milk shake, ice-cream…..beware! Dairy products are the biggest target. You must be wondering, then ‘what will I eat?’ The answer is “Organic Food”. Again back to basics. Farming and cultivating your own food!
Intelligence and moral conscience has to go hand in hand…..that’s what I think, I could be wrong. I just don’t give a damn if you are a scientist/ doctor/ astronaut/ techie/ business person, unless moral conscience and un-selfish motives are there in you. Do you think these short- term benefits are inevitable? Or is it time for mankind to switch to “back to basics”. Or do we just carry on as if its none-of-my-business? What do you think? Expecting your valuable comments as usual. Hope it wasn’t boring!! Even my mind would wander…..in terms of short-term benefits!!! My hard core decision making skills, my negotiating skills, my quick thinking, my forward thinking, would all be put to test!!!
What were the scientists/ innovators across the world doing with regards to long- term benefits? Do we classify them as profit hunters as well? Because all they do is create a cluster of books and research papers stack up the libraries and they earn millions for their so called “Discovery”. Risk assessments and the whatnots existed, but did anyone give a damn?
Population explosion, cheap air tickets, car loans, genetically modified crops etc are some of the dire aspects that we have to deal with today.
Population explosion (which stands at 6 billion today) could have been avoided if proper measures were adopted to educate the unknown, i.e.; considering the number of doctors across the world. For e.g.; my father was awarded with some certificate and gold medal for his achievements as a project leader in family planning when he was young (I wasn’t around at that time!!). By the time you move on people get sedentary selfish and forget about what’s happening around and snuggle up to their own comforts. Now he’s far away from social service! My point is that if people were to get into social service at least for a few hours a week during the weekend, it could make a huge difference upon any aspect in the long-run.
Cheap air-tickets which were not there a decade ago, now you can fly to any destination in Europe with a few quid and the internet has made it even cheaper! But then again, no long term goals. Now the environmentalists are out to fight it out, against the CO2 emissions smothering the European skies!
Car loans, cheaper car insurance, making it easier for anyone to purchase a car and again adding up to the CO2 emissions day after day. So does anyone, the so called “intellectuals” think about the long term goals? Or is it human nature? I don’t know!
67 million hectares of crops cultivated worldwide are genetically modified, of which 60% are in the US. I have already written about GM foods previously (you can look up on top 10 posts). The labelling regulations for these foods do not require disclosure of ingredients which is how they existed until now. What a con….eh? Profit hunters! Mutual understanding I presume! And we consumers stand the biggest fools! Next time when you are having that pre-packed food, milk shake, ice-cream…..beware! Dairy products are the biggest target. You must be wondering, then ‘what will I eat?’ The answer is “Organic Food”. Again back to basics. Farming and cultivating your own food!
Intelligence and moral conscience has to go hand in hand…..that’s what I think, I could be wrong. I just don’t give a damn if you are a scientist/ doctor/ astronaut/ techie/ business person, unless moral conscience and un-selfish motives are there in you. Do you think these short- term benefits are inevitable? Or is it time for mankind to switch to “back to basics”. Or do we just carry on as if its none-of-my-business? What do you think? Expecting your valuable comments as usual. Hope it wasn’t boring!! Even my mind would wander…..in terms of short-term benefits!!! My hard core decision making skills, my negotiating skills, my quick thinking, my forward thinking, would all be put to test!!!
Saturday, 19 April 2008
Access to the Natural World
The healing power of nature has been discussed since centuries, patients who were able to see green spaces from their windows made a more rapid recovery from any sort of ailment than those facing a concrete building. Doctors have started prescribing conservation work and outdoor activity as part of the treatment. Even a stressful day can turn out into a beautiful relaxed one if you have a 10minute walk in a nearby park.
If there were no release of stress from your body and mind, it would ultimately end up on your family and if you have children this would in turn affect their mental ability leading to low self-esteem and depression. At least think of the future generation in your actions, lets not tie them down. Or let not anyone tie them down! Set them free and let’s make a better world for them.
People who suffer from environmental injustice (poor quality housing, polluted atmosphere, run-down environments) are much more vulnerable to a host of health problems such as respiratory diseases, skin allergies and last of all mental health disorders which is what I am talking about.
Natural and psychological well-being is the mantra of this decade. People all over the world are tied down to cities, to their careers and bank accounts!! I have to say this because 1 in 4 suffers from depression, when I see some of the so-called depressed people I wonder, what are they depressed about? They are healthy, have a career, have a family, then what’s going wrong? Any answers? I think we should all think of the most vulnerable human being on this planet who is struggling to put up a plate of food/ water in front of him/ her, when in times of depression. Maybe wander around the world for a break, I mean not physically, close your eyes and have a wander around!
Meditation in a room that is unfurnished, just yourself and a small scented candle can do wonders and can pep up your lost agility. A solitary walk by the river or beach, a few calm early morning hours in the woods or even quiet surveillance of the starlit sky can lift up your spirit. Or extreme solitude in a jungle in a tree house can definitely do wonders. Don’t ask me which jungle!! These are just some thoughts from me to you, which might help us through the bad days!
Or in a nutshell, we all need to come out of the four concrete walls where we live and work and explore the wonders of nature and its healing power. Btw, I volunteer for a conservation group every weekend and I have to say the healing power is amazing, the fresh air that you breathe, in the morning, the stillness of the surroundings, the same kind of people that you meet, the teamwork where there is no competition, everything is relaxed and that sip of tea which gives you immense pleasure during the tea break with some chocolate biscuits. I bet you, you will never get that pleasure anywhere in the world!
Emotional capacities, spiritual capacities all originate from the nature. So lets all start worshipping the trees and birds and animals. This is for those who haven’t yet started worshipping!! And would you be ready for some conservation volunteering? That is in your community……
Lets be thankful and cheerful and happy for being blessed with the things we have around us.
If there were no release of stress from your body and mind, it would ultimately end up on your family and if you have children this would in turn affect their mental ability leading to low self-esteem and depression. At least think of the future generation in your actions, lets not tie them down. Or let not anyone tie them down! Set them free and let’s make a better world for them.
People who suffer from environmental injustice (poor quality housing, polluted atmosphere, run-down environments) are much more vulnerable to a host of health problems such as respiratory diseases, skin allergies and last of all mental health disorders which is what I am talking about.
Natural and psychological well-being is the mantra of this decade. People all over the world are tied down to cities, to their careers and bank accounts!! I have to say this because 1 in 4 suffers from depression, when I see some of the so-called depressed people I wonder, what are they depressed about? They are healthy, have a career, have a family, then what’s going wrong? Any answers? I think we should all think of the most vulnerable human being on this planet who is struggling to put up a plate of food/ water in front of him/ her, when in times of depression. Maybe wander around the world for a break, I mean not physically, close your eyes and have a wander around!
Meditation in a room that is unfurnished, just yourself and a small scented candle can do wonders and can pep up your lost agility. A solitary walk by the river or beach, a few calm early morning hours in the woods or even quiet surveillance of the starlit sky can lift up your spirit. Or extreme solitude in a jungle in a tree house can definitely do wonders. Don’t ask me which jungle!! These are just some thoughts from me to you, which might help us through the bad days!
Or in a nutshell, we all need to come out of the four concrete walls where we live and work and explore the wonders of nature and its healing power. Btw, I volunteer for a conservation group every weekend and I have to say the healing power is amazing, the fresh air that you breathe, in the morning, the stillness of the surroundings, the same kind of people that you meet, the teamwork where there is no competition, everything is relaxed and that sip of tea which gives you immense pleasure during the tea break with some chocolate biscuits. I bet you, you will never get that pleasure anywhere in the world!
Emotional capacities, spiritual capacities all originate from the nature. So lets all start worshipping the trees and birds and animals. This is for those who haven’t yet started worshipping!! And would you be ready for some conservation volunteering? That is in your community……
Lets be thankful and cheerful and happy for being blessed with the things we have around us.
Friday, 18 April 2008
Evolution at its best!
The University of Sheffield, UK, has reported birds evolving in tune to the urban development! Isn’t this great news? So we all have to just sit back and evolve!! Is that what you are saying Mother Nature?
Birds have started switching their morning chores to the twilight zone! Instead of their morning singing sessions in the morning, they are doing night shows! The research states that, this is due to the morning hustle and bustle which normally starts at 5am, and during night times its quiet and fully lit up with billboards and fluorescent lamps, mimicking the daylight zone, so they have switched their chores to night time! Poor souls!
Can you imagine human beings evolving over the centuries? Homo sapiens with huge trunks like elephants to suck fresh air or maybe even fighting for fresh air! Adapting wings to get over with the rush hour traffic! Or even kangaroo legs to sped fast through the footpaths! Extra set of arms to perform different tasks as in multi-tasking which is one of the requisites of these days!! Extra pairs of ears for your mobile to answer calls, iPod - to unwind from the mad world, mobile conferencing on the move, and of course you don’t need one for switching off from the public!! Extra pair of eyes to concentrate on your work and other chores!! I would leave that your imagination! For all these to function properly, we would of course need extra CPU’s, yes, I am talking about that intelligent bit, the brain! Extra heads! Done! And moving on to the digestive system now, food that automatically gets ingested just by waving your hand over the food, wouldn’t that be nice? This is because the lunch hour has been shrunk from an hour to half an hour, or maybe even because of flexitime (more money for more working hours!). Not sure about the rest of the digestion process! I’m trying to paint a picture of this sort, painting as in canvass painting, hope I would get it right! It would definitely look like some kind of alien, no doubt!
So, are we all evolving into aliens? Do we sit back and relax? Do we let CO2 emissions and pollution and the whatnots carry on? Join in the debate.
Birds have started switching their morning chores to the twilight zone! Instead of their morning singing sessions in the morning, they are doing night shows! The research states that, this is due to the morning hustle and bustle which normally starts at 5am, and during night times its quiet and fully lit up with billboards and fluorescent lamps, mimicking the daylight zone, so they have switched their chores to night time! Poor souls!
Can you imagine human beings evolving over the centuries? Homo sapiens with huge trunks like elephants to suck fresh air or maybe even fighting for fresh air! Adapting wings to get over with the rush hour traffic! Or even kangaroo legs to sped fast through the footpaths! Extra set of arms to perform different tasks as in multi-tasking which is one of the requisites of these days!! Extra pairs of ears for your mobile to answer calls, iPod - to unwind from the mad world, mobile conferencing on the move, and of course you don’t need one for switching off from the public!! Extra pair of eyes to concentrate on your work and other chores!! I would leave that your imagination! For all these to function properly, we would of course need extra CPU’s, yes, I am talking about that intelligent bit, the brain! Extra heads! Done! And moving on to the digestive system now, food that automatically gets ingested just by waving your hand over the food, wouldn’t that be nice? This is because the lunch hour has been shrunk from an hour to half an hour, or maybe even because of flexitime (more money for more working hours!). Not sure about the rest of the digestion process! I’m trying to paint a picture of this sort, painting as in canvass painting, hope I would get it right! It would definitely look like some kind of alien, no doubt!
So, are we all evolving into aliens? Do we sit back and relax? Do we let CO2 emissions and pollution and the whatnots carry on? Join in the debate.
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
The Damage...spare a thought....
To begin with......Welcome to my world of environment......here I would get to meet people and share my view points as well as accept your view points from which I could improve my knowledge if unknown to me.....a little poem from me to start with.....
The pain is killing; the pain is torture,
What I’ve done, what I’ve done……
Karma or fate or destiny as you may call it….
The Clashing of personalities….
The Clashing of Cultures…
The Clashing of Countries…..
The Clashing of Religions…..
The Clashing of Genes (hidden and forbidden)
Like an eagle I fly above,
Watching the deeds of Homo sapiens
Tongue tied and helpless…..
For the damage is done…….
Earn a living and lead a happy life for……
In a span of 100years, we are dead and gone….
Let’s join hands and lend a helping hand……
Leave something for the future generations……
Watch your actions day and night….
For every wrong move there’s a reaction…
It’s high time to switch to the word ‘Karma’
Open your hearts and minds…
Think of this whole world as ‘One’
The pain is killing; the pain is torture….
What I’ve done, what I’ve done……
I am reading a book called the “Revenge of Gaia”~ James Lovelock, it’s just the aftermath, as I reached halfway through!!! A good read for anyone interested in non-fiction.
And a song from Linkin Park which suits the context....its beautiful....to all LP fans out there......enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjBZh-yRmkc#
The pain is killing; the pain is torture,
What I’ve done, what I’ve done……
Karma or fate or destiny as you may call it….
The Clashing of personalities….
The Clashing of Cultures…
The Clashing of Countries…..
The Clashing of Religions…..
The Clashing of Genes (hidden and forbidden)
Like an eagle I fly above,
Watching the deeds of Homo sapiens
Tongue tied and helpless…..
For the damage is done…….
Earn a living and lead a happy life for……
In a span of 100years, we are dead and gone….
Let’s join hands and lend a helping hand……
Leave something for the future generations……
Watch your actions day and night….
For every wrong move there’s a reaction…
It’s high time to switch to the word ‘Karma’
Open your hearts and minds…
Think of this whole world as ‘One’
The pain is killing; the pain is torture….
What I’ve done, what I’ve done……
I am reading a book called the “Revenge of Gaia”~ James Lovelock, it’s just the aftermath, as I reached halfway through!!! A good read for anyone interested in non-fiction.
And a song from Linkin Park which suits the context....its beautiful....to all LP fans out there......enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjBZh-yRmkc#
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