Let us start Green Purchasing. Review on Ministry Of Environment & Forests

This article is not on this ministry but on Protection of Environment. Tomorrow is World Environment Day. This article is based on that and best suited here. One may spare 5 minutes to read and comment.

In 1972 United Nation General Assembly established World Environment Day. Short name is WED. On 5th June of every year WED is hosted and celebrated across the globe. In India this day is celebrated mostly by PSUs, NGOs, Public sector companies.

Why WED?

Intention of UN was to increase awareness among the people across the globe about the protection of environment. This holy initiative has certainly improved the situation mostly in west however its effect on countries like us is yet to take shape.

Land, Air and Water are the most precious things that are needed by living beings to survive. Plant Earth is an extremely complex system of land, air, and water. However only because of this complex system of nature there is life on this planet. It is our duty to maintain this system so that Living thing can survive.

Living thing whether it is Human being or Animals or Vegetation / Trees survive depending on each other. Can we survive without Vegetation or Animals like cow? Answer is “NO” because we get our food supply from them. So it is extremely important to create an environment so that Living Things can coexist.

Same is the case when we talk about Marine Life. World is extremely depended on it because ¾th of the world is covered by them. So it is extremely important to protect it to maintain Ecological Balance.

Everyone knows about depletion of the ozone layer due excessive use of chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). In recent past CFC was widely used. For various applications as solvent for cleaning, cooling fluid in air conditioners, aerosol sprays etc. All such chemicals have damaged the OZONE Layer which is about 30 km above the ground level. Ozone Layer protects us from dangerous ultraviolet radiation from the sun. World would have been few degree cooler if we have not damaged this layer.

Do not want to go deep into this analysis otherwise this review will become very lengthy and boring because this is not the right forum to go in details. Intention of writing this article is to remind everyone of you about 5th June the World Environment Day. Our small contributions can help a lot.

What we as an individual can do?

Let us start with Green Purchasing. Do you know our shopping style have an effect on the environment? Whatever we buy influence the environment however little change in attitude will reduce the risk. It's known as ''Green Purchasing”. Tips for Green Purchasing –

1. We have the choice to buy recycled materials. Items that are manufactured from wood, paper or plastic are more often recycled. We can selectively go for such items. Of course no-way go for any toys made out of recycled plastics for that little one. But we can surly use bags made of such recycled materials.

   
   




2. Carry a beautiful cotton bag / bags when we go to vegetable market and avoid using those flimsy plastic bags that normally go for chocking the drains or fly in the city or even can be discovered in cow’s stomach.

   
   

Shopping bags are a big nuisance. Please avoid using plastic bags whenever possible.

1. Love Ice Cream? Please ask for paper cups. Love Nature too.

   
   




2. Want to buy an electronic item? Look for the ENERGY STAR logo. ENERGY STAR is a voluntary labeling program to identify energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse effect. Less consumption of energy will reduce emission during producing energy.

   
   




3. Buy energy-efficient items. Do not forget to check gas-emission norms when purchasing a new vehicle. It will not only protect environment but also protect your purse.

   
   




4. Buy rechargeable batteries for Flashlights, Camera and Toys or for any Household Items. Initial investment is high but ultimately you save money and protect environment for next generation.

   
   

Someone may add many more in this list.

Let us use our Conscious and Let us try to become an Environmental Consumer.

Other than Green Purchasing we can do lot many things. For example-

1. Plant a tree and take the ownership to maintain it

   
   




2. Use less detergent by avoiding washing clothing just for the hack of it

   
   




3. Avoid using Chemical Pesticides and start using natural pesticides at home

   
   




4. Repair those leaky valves at home

   
   




5. Run washing machine with a full load of clothes. Wash with cold water whenever possible. Avoid dryers and hang washed cloth to dry. You not only save electricity and your hard earned money and also protect Environment.

   
   




6. Try to sale paper waste and Plastics instead of putting those in garbage bags.

   
   




7. Use natural light instead of using electric light during the day by covering windows with heavy curtains.

   
   




8. Use fluorescent lighting wherever possible. By replacing light fixtures with energy conserving bulbs, you can save lot of the energy. Initial investment is high but we gain in the long run.

   
   




9. Set the temperature controller of Refrigerator.

   
   




10. Instead of using blanket in the month of May, set the right temperature of the air-conditioner.

    
    




11. Whenever possible go for natural drugs. I was surprised when I came to know from one expert that One kg of synthetic bulk drug generates at least 150 kg of hazardous waste.

    
    

This is a never-ending list. In short Save Energy and Pollute less, Save Water, Protect forest, Conserve natural resources.

Monsoon is knocking the door. Try to Harvest Rain Water. It is very simple but you can contribute a lot to Save Planet Earth.

================================================================

Enjoy Better Life and Protect Environment for the Future Generation.

================================================================

4 June 2004