Protecting the environment
What more should be done to protect the environment?
So what is your view on this?
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‘We need to acknowledge that the only solution will come from science and technology.’
There are several environmental issues that deserve an intense international effort (water crisis, pollution, deforestation, GMO containment, biodiversity upkeep..) but on this “your say” (my first!) I will focus on Climate Change.
We all should know that the current rate of pollution and the contribution to the Serra Effect are unsustainable in the medium-term range (50-100 years). Unfortunately we don’t really have found a way to solve the problem so far and conventions like the Kyoto Protocol represent mitigation solution that could have only a temporary value. It doesn’t represent any substantial step towards a sustainable future, apart from delaying a little bit some consequences.
What we need is to invest now in Science and trust that future technology will allow to deal with this issue somehow. There are promising ways to tackle the challenge (geo-engineering, sustainable energy, safe nuclear power, aerosol technology…) but their practical value is still far from represent the key breakthrough, nowadays. Unfortunately, political blindness causes the majority of the nations to underrate the problem and don’t put the necessary effort in research.
We need to acknowledge that the only solution will come from science and technology, and not from policies, so it is time to finance climate change related researches and trust in scientific development.
‘I am rather pessimistic with global environmental issues.’
When dealing with localised areas, such as rich forests or endangered ecosystems a good solution is to increase the number of natural parks and protected areas.
But when we deal with the protection of the global environment, the issue is much more complicated. Indeed, we need to tackle the causes of environmental degradation, while these causes are at the same time major motors for the world’s economy. The environment will not stop degradating unless we drastically reduce our consumption (and hence production of manufactured goods). This means a deep change in habits and a in the general economic trend, a reason why I am rather pessimistic with global environmental issues. However, moving as much as possible towards alternative energy production and cleaner transport means, as well as optimising the recycling are realistic solutions that would help quite a lot. ‘There are things that we can do….but I am pessimistic.’
I think there are many things we can do, as individuals, to try to use less energy…
I think there are many things we can do, as individuals, to try to use less energy, to buy less plastic and to use our cars less. Yet I’m more and more convinced that this won’t be effective unless our governments don’t do anything. Their actions could range from reinforcing the public transport structures, to financing research on alternative sources of energy, to legislating against the destruction of forests…
But unfortunately they don’t seem to be really convinced, probably because there is too much money into play. The lobbies surrounding petrol companies are very powerful, and anyway as long as the US doesn’t accept to reduce the pollution it produces, the other countries might well reduce theirs, but the US will go on producing a huge proportion of the total pollution. As for nuclear energy, other waysof producing it with less risks and less remains of radioactive matter have been found, but again, governments should want to use them and replace what already exists, which they don’t seem ready to do. I’m just pretty pessimistic about this issue.
‘I feel that so much more can be done to protect the environment.’
The British government generally isn’t doing enough and society does not seem to place value on the environment and protecting it. This can be seen on the streets of the UK, which are littered with cigarette stubs, food packaging and worse of all, chewing gum. I do feel that European countries have to be commended for finally acting on the problems of climate change but this has been a long time coming. The Kyoto Protocol, commits 38 industrialised countries to emissions cut of 5.2% by 2010. However, the most influential country in the world, the US has decided not to be a part of it.
I feel strongly about protecting the environment because the world we live in is one of the few legacies we leave for future generations. However, I feel not much can be done on a global or national level by the average citizen. That is left to the politicians of the world. The power of the average citizen is on a regional, local level and I feel that most people don’t really care for the environment and don’t use this power.
People can recycle their household items but I don’t feel that the British people have really embraced this, like the Germans have for example. People can use their cars less and car pool, walk or take public transport as an alternative. Instead people are using their cars to go down the road to the local newsagents. In my local supermarket car park, numerous clear plastic bags have been caught in about ten barren trees. I find this quite disturbing as no one has been bothered to clear these bags, which will never disintegrate if they are not disposed of properly.
I feel this situation sums up the current condition of the environment. Our surroundings are becoming uglier, as most people are not bothered to maintain and protect our environment. We all must take action, otherwise, what will be left for the future generations?
‘From Kyoto to Kaos!’
We have recently heard that the Kyoto protocols have finally been adopted by the majority of nations that participated in that meeting relating to the environmental protection and sustainable development. Unfortunately we also heard that the number one country in CO2 production ( i.e. USA ) did not accept the Kyoto treaty. Our first action should focus on persuading all the nations that did not accept the implementation of the treaty to accept it, since not only our lives but also the lives of our children will be at risk if the uncontrollable exploitation of nature continues. Furthermore every individual must contribute to the environment protection by trying not to pollute ( whenever is possible ). This can be achieved by using the Mass Transportation System instead of our car , power saving lamps etc. And yet this is not enough. I order to protect the environment we must start thinking about protecting ourselves. If we don’t respect ourselves that live, breathe, dream on this planet then we cannot expect from the governments to do so.
‘Protecting the environment starts from an individual.’
Each day people receive messages about the necessity of sparing the environment, but there is little said about which steps exactly should be taken. So, even if the individual accepts the idea, it is soon shadowed by thousands of other messages, which mainly encourage to do exactly the opposite. Therefore I see educating people as the best way to protect the environment. A campaign asking to switch off lights when leaving the room or turning off running water while brushing one’s teeth could be the first step. But just going round saying that people should or shouldn’t do something won’t work. They must be made aware what exactly would be the consequences on the nature if they don’t change their ways. That could be done with the help of statistics and examples. People must also realize how they could personally benefit from sustainable behaviour, mainly from the point of view of cost analysis.
Gradually larger-scale measures could be implemented, like higher taxation on packaging and a system to collect waste for recycling. A campaign to advocate decreasing consumption in general could be held, but only with clear instructions how it would be possible. All efforts must be clear and understandable and environmentally-friendly life-style shouldn’t be complicated to adapt to.
Finally, the behaviour of individuals will have its effect on the behaviour of companies and governments and environmental way of thinking will spread. Of course, the question remains, who should be responsible for initiating the process. The hard task is in the hands of those who have already been “educated” – governments, municipalities, educational and scientific institutions and 3rd sector organizations. Now, that gives us quite a large start-off number of people who are already aware of things…
‘I believe that there are many aspects of environmental protection such as public consciousness, education, politics and business.’
First of all, we should develop public consciousness by making people aware of the importance of environmental protection, how to do it and also the possible threats waiting us in the future if we can’t succeed. For this purpose, various campaigns can be organised and be sporsored by private sector companies. We should also educate our children starting from early ages regarding to ecological balance and environmental protection. It would be a good idea to include them into some activities such as tree planting, grouping the rubbish at home etc.
In addition to all, it is also a matter of politics and business. So, we should manage to increase enough public pressure in order to force governments and companies to take necessary measures. Governments can perform this by legislating emission trading, securing that manufacturers have environmental friendly methods and technologies, funding renewable energy production and promoting recycling of rubbish and materials. Companies can include environmental protection into their corporate philosophy and also lauch new projects. We all know that there was earth long time before the first human being had come to life and mankind has required suitable living conditions in order to exist. What we do against earth, we do against ourselves because the earth can survive in many conditions but we – Homo sapiens – can not.
‘Protecting the environment is not something nation states alone can do.’
For the environment of this planet to be protected international agreements like the Kyoto Protocol should be honoured by the major polluters. Developing countries should be given the technology to develop industry to the level of the the developed world without producing as much pollution.
In general every country should develop effective and cheap methods of recycling. The price of recycling some products is more expensive and, therefore, less appealing to producers/industry. This is a major obstacle that must be overcome for us to be able to pass on to future generations a clean, safe environment.
Protecting the environment is not something nation states alone can do. Interanational organistations from the EU to the UN have a role in encouragin states to cooperate in developing environmnetal policies that will notonly enhance teir region but the entire world.
‘What more should be done to protect the environment? Almost everything!’
The environmental protection is a serious subject that should occupy and oblige more of us. I think we are not conscious of the terrific effects we are causing to the nature. I’m not conscious because I only know a few things that I can do to minimize «my» impact, and from these few things I only do a little! As an example, I separate the rubbish to be recycled, but I don’t use public transportation to go to the university!
Why some things work and other don’t? Because I’m not…, or rather, we are not educated in a way that turns us into responsible persons. But also because there aren’t well-effective politics or there aren’t any politics for some problematic issues!
What more should be done to protect the environment? Almost everything! It is important to invest more in education and awareness campaigns. It is necessary to make us responsible. We should pay for the bad things we do if we insist in doing it! It is very important to broadcast information and show us how bad we are acting and contributing negatively to the following generations.
‘Protecting the environment should become task for everybody.’
I think the way of thinking must be changed. There are some things each one of us can do and they don’t cost much effort – e.g. not to throw garbage on the street, but on special places; to separate it (something that is not done yet in my country), so that it can be recycled. Furthermore we could use more offen bikes instead of cars, or we could walk. This is also healthy. So the change must come from us.