All of us over several generations have been conditioned to believe that continuous growth is good for you and the country and it is a mark of success. Yes but it was fine for the last 100 years… not now.
With the world population over 7.5 billion and growing, I think it is high time we pause, rethink and reset our course.
The economic growth that we have witnessed over the last several decades and the boom in the recent past was at the time when land was plentiful, labour was cheap, energy was available aplenty… While the global economy has grown more than 10 times since World War II, it has caused global warming, environmental degradation and inequality.
Yes, there is no denying that we need to bring development and the basics to the poor and the needy … This at a time when a few countries and individuals have unparalleled prosperity, while many countries and people have become poorer than before. War and greed have destroyed many… we are already experiencing the effects of climate change, deforestation and water issues…
India’s growth is amongst the fastest today. We are producing and consuming more, more waste is created than the environment can sustain. Before it overwhelms and destroys the eco system, bringing in the balance is very important.
Business as usual is not an option…
Time to look at beyond common conceptions of development and growth. Why can’t there be an alternate way of prosperity without unsustainable growth.
The only way I see is to address the above issues by preventing further damage. Now with the increased awareness amongst us and the technological innovations we must:
• Move to sustainable development
• Partner with nature not against it
• Go for smaller homes
• Get more efficient equipment
• Invest in renewable energy
• Cut down excessive consumption
• Save water bodies
• Plant more trees
• Have kitchen gardens
• Change your lifestyle to reduce waste
• Build an economy on sustainable development
• Create more awareness and educate and encourage daily environment friendly activities.
• Generate sustainable livelihoods and clean technology solutions
• Consider all the resources from nature as gift and not as a commodity.
As I always say ‘we are the custodians, our job is to nurture and protect the gifts given by nature and pass them on to the coming generations.’
Let’s go for meaningful prosperity, not mindless growth!
It is our choice to promote a peaceful and inclusive society and protect our environment or stare at a large scale environmental disaster which will cause unknown health issues and completely degrading our quality of life slowly moving towards an apocalypse.
All this is possible only if we believe in it and play our part in the true spirit from our heart and be caring.
