World Environment Day: Save the world from decay

Today, global citizens are celebrating the Eco Day to encourage worldwide awareness for the protection of the environment. Every year, World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5 to focus on daily environmental challenges which leads to a catastrophe.

These challenges are just like weeds; it is safe to proceed with weeding at the germinating period and it requires strenuous efforts to recognize them as discrete units among the good ones.

Each year, Eco Day focuses on a unique theme. This year, the theme is to beat air pollution. It is much easier to propose than to execute. I believe in it. 

So, I have planned to take up the 35 days challenge again this year. Folks watch 100 days challenge show, few kiddos, who are cheated by the subconscious mind, end up their life playing the 50 days challenge game and the list rolls on. Why can't we make a change by taking up this meaningful Eco challenge? 

After conquering these 35 days, you would definitely feel like challenging yourself for lifetime. Seeing the current scenario, this wouldn't be a sceptical approach. 

What urges us to take this challenge?

We are dismayed by the causes of air pollution and are alarmed to protect our environment, not only for the future but the present. Air pollution is caused by the presence of toxic substances in the atmosphere, produced by human activities, even though the natural phenomena such as wildfire might take its part. Here are the anthropogenic sources of air pollution:

1.Combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal for generating electricity, produce air pollutants like nitrogen and sulphur dioxide.

2.Growing industries give raise in the carbon footprint by emitting a large amount of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and other chemical compounds in the air.

3.Waste production leads to large dumps and landfills, which increases the risk of methane generation. 

4.Usage of pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers in agricultural activities emit harmful chemicals in the air.

What happens when we do not care about it?

The effects of air pollution are multitudinous. It's quite impossible to state the actual damage caused by air pollution. Here are the few daunting effects on us and of course, around us:

• Air pollution contributes to the formation of acid rain, atmospheric precipitations in the form of rain, snow or fog, which are released during combustion of fossil fuels and transformed by contact with water vapours in the atmosphere.
• Above all, it is the major contributor to global warming and climate change. The abundance of carbon dioxide in the air gives an alarming rise in the carbon footprint and it is one of the causes of the greenhouse effect.
• Exposure to air pollutants is responsible for the deterioration of human health and causes several allergies, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

How to control and prevent air pollution?

Some of the ways in which we can prevent air pollution:

• Encourage the use of non conventional resources. Use renewable energy such as solar, wind and geothermal energy instead of fossil fuels for generating electricity.
• Use eco friendly transport. Shifting to electric cars and other alternatives can reduce emission of toxic substances.
• Reduce the consumption of energy by adopting responsible habits and using efficient devices.
• Municipalities can take steps to prevent open waste burning and find an alternative to eradicate waste.
• Organic wastes can be treated by composting.
• In home, reduce food waste and segregate organic waste.

Shock Bytes:

1.     In only five years, annual fine particle levels in Beijing's air fell by 35%

2.     In Philippines, students must plant 10 trees to graduate. The trees must be appropriate for the area's climate, and indigenous tree species are preferred. This Bill, the Graduation Legacy for the Environment Act, was introduced by Gary Alejano to promote inter-generational responsiblity over environmental protection. (India is said to be the youthful country. Just think how many trees would be planted if this law is enforced in India from this year...)

3.     22 of the world's 30 most polluted cities are in India. The tech hub of Gurugram (also known as Gurgaon) ranked the most polluted in the world with an average of more than 135 micrograms of PM 2.5 per cubic metre throughout the year.  

Let us make a change. We lived, are living, will live. May our future breathe fresh air and enjoy playing pinwheel in the zephyr...

Hashtags to be used:

#WorldEnvironmentDay #BeatAirPollution