Recently, Maldives received a warning from the UN International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) regarding a potential threat to the country due to the rise in sea levels due to global warming. Since Maldives is one of the lowest lying countries in the world, it is the first one to face the danger of extinction. But if the ice sheet on arctic melts at this rate and the sea level kept on rising, the other countries are not too far away!!!
Oh! How can I forget? It is a natural tendency of humans to complete the task just before the deadline. Since the danger is on Maldives, it is on its toes to protect its country by adopting some environment friendly measures. Are the other countries still waiting for the warning? If yes, then I can predict worse. If no, then are we sleeping? It would be too late when we wake up…
When other countries are thinking of adopting some environment friendly measures, India is one of those countries who are still far behind. The lack of stringent actions in India would leave us in trouble. India is just 2318 kilometers from Maldives and we are still not concerned about our protection. It is good to follow the culture and traditions but not at the cost of the lives. Here comes Diwali and we are out bursting crackers and decorating our homes with different types of lights. Have we ever given a thought that all this triggers the global warming? The traditional Diwali which was called the festival of lights is now completely commercialized. It has now become a festival to display the prosperity. Most of us like to burst crackers although the fun is in just seeing the crackers burst. Why don’t we (India) take strict action against bursting crackers individually? If bursting crackers is a tradition, then let us celebrate it by gathering together at a point and at a particular time and not burst them individually. Do you know that after every Diwali, the pollution rises at alarming levels in India? Even after being aware of this fact that by bursting crackers and lighting diyas, electric garlands, etc., the pollution level is increased, we show a blind eye towards this issue in the name of tradition. India has tried to restrict the noise pollution that occurs during Navratri but what about the noise pollution caused due to crackers? More than humans’ animals are sensitive to noise and most sensitive are the birds. Have we ever thought about them? Take for example Dog…it can hear more than a human, so definitely the noise pollution is more dangerous for them. They simply run away from noise and so the lost dog cases increases significantly during this festival. Also, after Diwali, most damaged are the plants. Since they cannot run, we treat them as inanimate things. Don’t forget! Plants also live!
If the government is sleeping, let us wake up and take a pledge that henceforth we would not burst crackers individually and light lesser diyas and electric garlands every Diwali and Christmas. Also, “Charity begins at home”- so let us first start practicing it ourselves and then preach others. Let us switch off the monitors while we are out for lunch (for those working in computers). Also, if unused switch off your computers and TV. Being a responsible citizen, it is our duty to spread this awareness among ourselves.
Let us not wait for the warning---act now---spread the word.
