Environmental Issues

Well, where do we start from? Let us start with the assumption that all the members here have joined the forum because we all believe and agree on the fact that there is an environmental crisis and we want to learn about it and do something about it. This is good, to start with.

But then, what do we understand by "environment"? And what is this "crisis"? And what is the reason for this crisis? I pose this question with the intention to dissolve walls that seem to exist in our understanding of it. The questions can be looked upon from a "scientific" perspective, but I hope that they would be seen from a philosophical perspective. In my opinion, environment is still considered by many as something "out there". When most people talk of the crisis and of "issues", what comes to mind are terminologies like deforestation, global warming, extinction, poverty, resource depletion etc etc. The problem with using such terminologies is that we seem to refer to the "anonymous" as the culprit. "Oh, deforestation? Some industries in Brazil are the ones responsible for it". We point our fingers to some unknown persons. We completely disconnect ourselves from it. By doing this, we also remove the intrinsic link that exists between issues. No issue is independent. If a person is concerned about one issue, she/he as well be concerned about all issues.

Hence, it would be interesting to hear on everybody's opinion on the questions I've posed above. I believe that only when we have an understanding about this can we introspect on where each of us are.

Add to Aditya's points, i would agree that in today's scenario people are in the blame game, not understanding the depth of damage that we are creating in so called our own luxurious leaving in all means, who should be blamed for it is my question? for not creating the awareness and making people responsible for their every action.

I feel that the responsibility lies with each and every individual in making the environment better. In general we normally associate the reason for this pitiable environment state to industrial revolution, deforrestation, pollution etc. where we try to hold others responsible as we feel that cutting of trees is not directly linked to us or pollution is more directly associated with industries. According to me we as an individual are equally responsible for the same. The wasting of resources I feel is the key factor for this state of the environment. The resources were always there and were not utlized properly but now since the large section of society has access to all resources the unethical use has grown much over the last few decades. To illustrate with an example even for short distance we try to use vehicles and add to the pollution. I agree that we can't avoid using vehicles in each and every case but we can look for a nice walk or bicycle as an option. For regular commuters pooling is one of the option which minimizes wasting of resource and ultimately pollution and cost also. There are lots of other examples such as optimal utilization of electricity, turning off the ignition at the traffic signals. These small steps can greatly improve the environment and no organization need to carry out protests and rallys against the particular industry or segment of people. For all these things we just need to be conscious on how can a simple step can contribute in making the environment better.

Adithya P wrote:Well, where do we start from? Let us start with the assumption that all the members here have joined the forum because we all believe and agree on the fact that there is an environmental crisis and we want to learn about it and do something about it. This is good, to start with.

But then, what do we understand by "environment"? And what is this "crisis"? And what is the reason for this crisis? I pose this question with the intention to dissolve walls that seem to exist in our understanding of it. The questions can be looked upon from a "scientific" perspective, but I hope that they would be seen from a philosophical perspective. In my opinion, environment is still considered by many as something "out there". When most people talk of the crisis and of "issues", what comes to mind are terminologies like deforestation, global warming, extinction, poverty, resource depletion etc etc. The problem with using such terminologies is that we seem to refer to the "anonymous" as the culprit. "Oh, deforestation? Some industries in Brazil are the ones responsible for it". We point our fingers to some unknown persons. We completely disconnect ourselves from it. By doing this, we also remove the intrinsic link that exists between issues. No issue is independent. If a person is concerned about one issue, she/he as well be concerned about all issues.

Hence, it would be interesting to hear on everybody's opinion on the questions I've posed above. I believe that only when we have an understanding about this can we introspect on where each of us are.

Hi Adithya
I appreciate the way u have started the topic, your approach is one of finding a solution and not of beating around the bush. Its a nice way to start, but i feel that your approach is quite overwhelming. It would be helpful (for me) if you could be a bit more ellaborate about your point of view.
Vaibhav

@ Vaibhav

Hi!
I am happy that you ask, because one needs to ask questions to understand; and by not asking questions we lose to opportunity to learn. I myself have been overwhelmed with all that I've experienced in that last 6 months from my exploration into the core of environmental issues.
We (people) are always afraid to ask questions which are fundamental(basic) in nature. We are afraid to think a little deeper into questions as a part of our brain that tells us not to go there because the answers are unpleasant. And hence we gratify ourselves by trying to answer questions superficially.
By looking at environmental crisis as a superficial question, one could feel that he/she is doing a great thing by gestures like signing online campaigns, not using plastic and by using an electric car. Let me spill it here that I too as of now use an electric car. All this is done in the name of it being "eco-friendly". These are important in their own right, but this is as far as most concerned people are willing to go to remedy the crisis. From my recent experiences and in-depth reading, I've come to question everything we do as people (i literally mean everything people do) and I feel that these are questions each one has to ask oneself. It is when we dwell into these basic questions, and simultaneously learn from what great men like the Buddha, Gandhi and Einstein had to say about these things can we really understand about what this environmental crisis is.
I feel I may still be unclear on what I'm trying to get to, if you can give me specific questions I will attempt to answer them. If you're interested to read further on my takes, visit my blog www.oaksage.wordpress.com , here I write about my understanding on issues and have suggested excellent reading material for all those who are willing to explore.

I am happy that all of us ( including me) have one point in common. We are not beating behind the bush and blaming others.
I agree that using eco-friendly products(less of plastic) is not the end of the problem or crisis. We need to understand the root cause and how can we interlink our initiatives and really come out with a solution.

A good site i found on environment
http://www.deb.uminho.pt/fontes/enviroinfo/

It's not just another site which tells you to stop creating pollution and all those big jargons ..............

It has really good info on environment.
Suggest going through...........

Climate model projections summarized by the IPCC indicate that average global surface temperature will likely rise a further 1.1 to 6.4 °C (2.0 to 11.5 °F) during the twenty-first century. This range of values results from differing estimates of future greenhouse gas emissions and from the use of models with differing climate sensitivity. Although most studies focus on the period up to 2100, warming and sea level rise are expected to continue for more than a thousand years even if greenhouse gas levels are stabilized. This results from the large heat capacity of the oceans.

Increasing global temperature is expected to cause sea levels to rise, an increase in the intensity of extreme weather events, and significant changes to the amount and pattern of precipitation, likely including an expanse of the subtropical desert regions. Other expected effects of global warming include changes in agricultural yields, modifications of trade routes, glacier retreat, mass species extinctions and increases in the ranges of disease vectors.

This is a peril to mankind in the future if the issue is not given top priority and solved from now on. Netherlands, Greenland, Cuba, Indonesia etc. countries have the highest risk due to global warming as these are the countries that are low lying and are most likely to be washed out first. There are already many campaigns taken up in India regarding this issue, and I would like people in this forum to address this topic and also suggest any preventive measures against global warming.
cheers
-Abhishek Mangipudi

The issue of climate change has sparked debate weighing the benefits of limiting industrial emissions of greenhouse gases against the costs that such changes would entail. There has been discussion in several countries about the cost and benefits of adopting alternative energy sources in order to reduce carbon emissions.Organizations and companies such as the Competitive Enterprise Institute and ExxonMobil have emphasized more conservative climate change scenarios while highlighting the potential economic cost of stricter controls.Likewise, various environmental lobbies and a number of public figures have launched campaigns to emphasize the potential risks of climate change and promote the implementation of stricter controls. Some fossil fuel companies have scaled back their efforts in recent years, or called for policies to reduce global warming

Here is a small story to depict and understand that it is our duty to keep the environment healthy and safe:

A lady brought his son to Gandhi Ji asking for advicing his son not to smoke.Gandhi ji adviced them to come and meet them after a week . A week gone past and the lady came with his son and asked to counsell her son not to smoke and stop the smoking habits.Gandhi JI adviced her son and he took to advice, the lady asked Gandhi Ji but why did you ask us to come after a week? He said before I could advice anything I have to follow it and in a position to counsell.

This guy went on to tell this thing to his friends and if not all atleast considerable no of people, had given up the habit after listening.

I would like you to also view this video, in which a girl speaks on the Environmental issues:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQmz6Rbpnu0