The world has been facing a number of environmental issues, such as pollution, deforestation or global warming. Even though it is fairly difficult to cope with these problems, there are some things we can perform to protect the environment.

 Environmental pollution is caused due to excessive utilization of natural resources, presence of a large number of people and livestock in congested areas, use of agro-chemicals, setting up of factories, running of automobiles, burning of fuel, etc.

 A change in the environment is due to pollution and also affects the ecological balance. Environmental pollution is caused both in rural and urban areas. Pollution can cause sickness and discomfort. It also affects the productivity of natural resources, such as land, water, forests and livestock.

Global warming refers to the augment in regular temperature near the earth’s surface and in its oceans

. Climate change is another term used interchangeably with global warming. On the other hand, climate revolutionize may include other changes in typical weather besides increase in temperature.

 Air Pollution:

The tall buildings soak up heat during the day and release it during the night. Thus, the weather remains hot and unpleasant. Automobiles and industries emit smoke containing carbon dust, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and other poisonous gases, which are unhealthy. Chemical factories release harmful gases, which can travel long distances. Gases like sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide come in contact with cloud or rain water and turn into acid and result in acid rain. Release of harmful gases like fluorine and nitrous oxide by factories into the atmosphere would destroy the ozone layer and allow the harmful rays of the sun to reach the earth. Gases like carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide, when released from automobiles and industries, absorb heat from sunlight and raise the temperature of our surroundings. Due to deforestation and increasing industrial growth, the average temperature of the atmosphere may rise by 20 C – 50 C during the next fifty years. This is known as global warming.

 Protecting the environment is something everyone needs to consider. We can prevent environmental pollution if we understand its causes and take following measures:

Recycle Conserving the energy Pressure government Write letters Educating the people Waste natural resources

 First of all, we can save the environment by recycling things such as cans, glass bottles or newspapers as much as possible.

For example, if we recycle newspapers or magazines to reproduce recycle paper, we can save the consumption of paper, and consequently it will help stop deforestation in tropical forests. We should also try to buy things that are made from recycled materials.

 Secondly, conserving energy will also help protect our environment. Nowadays, we overly consume precious energy or natural resources. Moreover, burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, produces a large amount of carbon dioxide, which leads to the global warming.

Planting trees to offset the effects of the carbon dioxide emissions created in the production of the energy and other products one consumes is another alternative. It isn’t necessary to do this oneself. Around the world there are organizations that are gearing up to do this on behalf of the many millions of concerned consumers. So for instance a power company could estimate the greenhouse gases emitted to produce a kilowatt-hour of electricity and then allow its customers an opportunity to pay to offset these emissions and become “carbon neutral”.  Other ways of conserving energy would include cutting back on waste thereby saving on the energy that would be spent on replacement of the wasted item – Recycle and reuse whenever possible. In order to reduce energy consumption, each of us is required to make many efforts like turning off lights, adjusting thermostat or walking instead of driving as often as possible. If only we could educate people so that they realize their small contribution will collectively create great benefits for the environment. Saving on water consumption – A huge amount of energy is spent on purifying water for consumption so cutting back on water waste will help considerably. Ensuring you have efficient insulation and that cooling and heating appliances are cleaned and primed to work efficiently.

  Having discussed above, it is felt that,  in order to improve the environment, it is very essential for the government to educate people. In fact, we tend to be ignorant of the environment problems these days. Unless we know how serious the problems are and what we have to do to protect the environment, the improvement will never been achieved.

Of course, protecting the environment is also a responsibility of government and business houses. In order to influence government, we could write letters to newspapers or politicians expressing our desires for the government to do more to protect the environment. We could also write directly to business houses with suggestions on how they could reduce pollution or waste. We might also write letters thanking those who are making efforts to protect the environment.

 ROLE OF CHILDREN IN PROTECTING ENVIRONMENT:

 Children in rural and urban areas can play an important role in preventing environment pollution very effectively. There is great satisfaction in doing it ourselves.

Children in villages can persuade their parents to :

  Use smokeless stoves or install biogas plants;   Provide smoke outlets and ventilation in the kitchen;  Tie livestock outside the house and reduce their number     Feed livestock in their sheds without letting them out for grazing;   Plant trees around the house, on field bunds and along roadsides;   Develop field bunds across the slope to retain more water and prevent     the soil being washed away. Plough the field across the slope;  Keep tanks, canals and other water sources clean;  Use the sewage water for growing trees;  Keep the surroundings of the house and well clean;  Prepare compost by using garbage, dung and other wastes;

 Select a suitable site for the toilet, away from water sources and houses. It can also be connected to the biogas plant;

 Use agro-chemicals carefully and try to avoid them. Plant products may be preferred wherever effective to protect crops;

Protect wildlife like frogs, snakes, mongoose, birds, etc. which

Urban children can do a lot to reduce environment pollution.    Plant tress in school and home premises. Even if you are staying in a flat,    plants and creepers can be raises in pots and wooden boxes, in the balcony;    Protect the trees planted along roadsides;     Keep public areas clean and avoid littering;     Plant trees along roadsides, near bus stops, around playgrounds, and in parks to provide shade;     Avoid dumping garbage on the street. Dispose them in a garbage dump; you can also make a compost pit to convert garbage into manure;    Waste paper, plastic, glass and metal pieces can be recycled this would reduce the pollution and conserve our resources;     Avoid using plastic materials such as plates and carry bags which cannot be used again. Moreover, when plastic is thrown away, it does not degrade but remains in the soil, polluting the surroundings;  Do not make noise in public places; every likes quiet surroundings;     Request your family members to use automobiles only when necessary; walking or cycling can be a pleasure when the distance is short;     If someone is causing pollution in your area, inform the authorities through your teachers or parents.  

            Finally, there are many ways for us to protect the environment, not only on a global level but on a personal level. Saving the environment for future generations is something we must all be trying to do. We belong to earth; the earth does not belong to us. Let us act now and persuade others to join us. This will ensure safety for our future generations.

 




By: DR.R.SRINIVASAN