Imagine the world in which you all live is pure as water and as fresh as air. It is not only a mere dream. It is the future that we all can create by leading sustainable lives. The young generations can create an environment friendly future and have a special chance to be the changemakers and green warriors.
The planet earth is facing extraordinary environmental challenges due to change in the climate, loss in the biodiversity and pollution. These issues will always threaten our planet earth and the existence of everyone. Sustainable living is not just about giving trendy hashtags or innovating the gadgets which are eco – friendly it is about making the correct choices that will help in minimizing the impact on environment which will ensure a healthy planet for the younger generations.
HOW STUDENTS CAN PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ENVIORNMENTAL SUSTAINAIBILITY?
Youngsters are not merely learners. They are the inventors, influencers, and decision-makers of the future. Even though their combined efforts may not seem like much, they can cause change to spread. They may create a cleaner future by embracing sustainable activities and promoting environmental consciousness.
Sustainable living is the concept of meeting the needs of present without compromising the needs or ability of future generations. It is basically concerned about minimizing the ecological impact, saving resources, and balancing the living with the environment.
The three interrelated pillars of sustainability are as follows:
- Environmental: Minimizing waste, conserving energy & water, lowering the carbon footprint and preserving biodiversity.
- Social: Ensuring fair access to resources, encouraging moral consumption, and cultivating a feeling of collective environmental responsibility.
- Economic: Prioritising and supporting the sustainable practices & businesses will directly lead to economic growth.
Reducing the carbon footprints is necessary as it helps in slowing down the detrimental effects and create a more sustainable world for future generations. One of the most important reasons to reduce our carbon footprints is because greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), contribute to global warming. The more carbon we emit into the atmosphere, the faster the planet warms, resulting in disastrous consequences like more frequent and intense natural disasters, loss of biodiversity, and disruptions to agriculture.
Optimizing the energy efficiency of your home is one of the most efficient ways to lessen your carbon footprint. Simple actions like investing in energy-efficient appliances, unplugging electronics when not in use, and converting to LED bulbs can have a big impact. To minimize energy loss, think about installing insulation or utilizing smart thermostats to effectively regulate heating and cooling.
The products that every individual buy have the carbon footprint too. Every individual can minimize the environmental impact of an individual can consume by selecting locally produced, organic and sustainably sourced products. Reduce, reuse, and recycle to avoid sending waste to landfills. Many products have hidden environmental costs, ranging from the energy used during production and transportation to the raw materials used to manufacture them.
Purchase a high-quality insulated tumbler or mug and fill it with water, tea, or your preferred soup from the dining hall rather than purchasing disposable water bottles or jugs. To avoid using throwaway straws and silverware, you can also bring reusable utensils. If you’re prepared for more, read our zero-waste living advice.\
Your efforts can be amplified by supporting businesses and projects that place a high priority on sustainability. Select companies that are dedicated towards minimizing the influence on environment. Invest in companies that prioritize clean energy, zero-waste, and other green efforts, and support regional farmers and craftspeople who follow sustainable methods.
There is one more reason why carbon footprints should be minimized because the population of seven billion people on the planet use resources in different proportions. The UN estimates that by 2050, there may be 9.7 billion people on the planet, and by 2100, there may be over 11 billion. The planet’s resources are depleting and rise in the emissions is resulting in growing number of people.
Global warming is directly caused by rising greenhouse gas emissions. It has catastrophic consequences on our planet as it speeds up climate change. By making climate-friendly decisions in our daily lives, we all can help in combating the global warming.
It can be concluded that by making thoughtful decisions an individual can lead towards minimizing the influence on environment which is the essence of sustainable living. Small actions like cutting back on energy use, choosing transportation carefully, and practicing responsible consumption can add up, even though they might seem difficult at first. A cleaner, healthier earth is the result of every effort, no matter how small it is.
Blog By:
Dr. Aditi Pareek
Assistant Professor
Biyani Girls College