The Confused Environmentalists

Human being is a confused creature. We can’t live without our transportations, mobiles, air conditioners and other materialistic items, but surely we like to protest against global warming. People protest against industries but at the same time they also use industrial products. When will the part-time environmental activists realise that they are also a part of the problem? And also there are some full time climate activists whose main job is to hold placards and give lectures at various climate change conferences. If these activists are so serious about global warming, then they should first sacrifice their cars, smart phones, furnitures, jewelries, air conditioners and other necessities, that would set a real example.

Peoples Mindset

When people protest against global warming they don’t realise the consequences and the sacrifices that has to be made. For many young generation it’s a rebellious thing and there is a lack of deep understanding on the subject. The subject of global warming is more active on facebook than on the ground level. To stop global warming first we need to sacrifice our luxuries and our morden way of living. But instead we only blame industries and big Corporates.

The Adani Example

We all must have heard about the coal mining project in the state of Queensland, Australia by the Adani group. This will be Australia’s largest coal mining project which will produce 10 millions tonnes of thermal coal per year. The proposed plant plans to generate electricity and other activities through its project which will also generate thousands of employment.

Protests against this project have been extremely loud. From social media hashtags to protesting on the streets and even people protested at cricket matches. And their concern is justified, because this will be detrimental to our planet and its already rising temperature. It will also destroy the 2400 km long “great barrier reef” which is a habitat for various kinds of species. Similarly it has also various other serious environmental issues.

Now here’s why the issue becomes complicated. People want jobs, opportunities but don’t want plants, Industries and factories. People want 24 hour electricity, but don’t want power plants like Adani’s. We need to understand that no business and no Industry is pollution free. If we want environment to flourish then we should also be ready for the sacrifices and stop complaining about lack of employment and growth.

Some upcoming Projects

Below are some upcoming mining projects which will benefit the economy and will bring more employment opportunities, but at the same time will harm our eco system.

But there is no denying that global warming is a serious issue and the concern for saving the environment should be addressed. Are we serious enough to find the root cause and act upon it? Do we have a proper understanding on this issue? Let’s go deep into history to understand when & how it all started.

History of Need, Greed & Employment

During the stone age era people’s livelihood was dependent on gathering plants, fishing, and hunting animals. Humans had everything to support their needs. They also learnt agriculture in the new stone age era. 

Things became complicated, when humans started mining from earth’s surface. Coal was the first mineral to be mined and it became a very prosperous industry. In the coming years other minerals were also discovered. This became significant in major advancements of civilization.

Then around 4000 BCE, people started to develop a chain of urban settlements. This opened the path for present day modernization.

And then came the 17th century Industrial revolution. Machines were invented, for manufacturing and production processes. Industrialization grew considerably in Europe. Millions of people got employment and slowly people’s standard of living also improved.

The Livelihood Predicament

In 1938 oil was discovered in Arab sea. This changed everything. The oil and gas drilling industry was one of the reasons for the economic boom and it still continues to be.

Similarly other industries such as Mining, Steel and Aluminium continue to be a major contributor to the economy. But at the same time it also pollutes the environment considerably, causing greenhouse effect.

In addition to these there are many upcoming projects such as mining, petroleum and iron ore.

Industries are the soul of world economy. Directly and indirectly millions of people’s livelihood is dependent on these Industries.

But the harsh reality is that, it also harms our eco system. And the upcoming industries and factories will damage our environment even more.

The Human Dilemma

Humans have chosen economic driven and materialistic society. People are not happy with just food, shelter, and clothes. Humans want all the comforts and luxuries. And at the same time we protest against the same industries, who make our daily necessities.

People always blame the Government for catering the Interest of corporates and their role in global warming, but nowhere do we question ourselves.

In early part of modernization when people started using materialistic items, little did they knew about its futuristic impact.

It looks extremely hypocritical, when we hold our placards and banners on environment issues.

Automobiles

Automobiles sector is major contributor to the world economic. It’s major components such as Steel, aluminium, rubber and plastic has to be minned. We protest against mining and plants but don’t want to get rid of our cars. Our automobiles are a major cause for global warming. It produces a large amounts of NO₂, CO₂, and other harmful gasses. Next time if you want to go for a “Save Environment” protest, just use your legs.

The Jewelry Industry

Many women do not realise, but their ornaments are a product of mining and deforestation. Women really like their jewelries but at same time become environmentalists and protest against mining. Diamond and Gold mining is one of the most destructive industries in the world. A large part of forest and land is affected causing deforestation. This disturbs the balance of our ecosystem. These types of minings pollutes water and land with mercury and cyanide. It jeopardizes peoples health and ecosystem considerably.

Mobile Phones

Humans addiction to mobile phones have been well documented and also talked about. This technology has grown faster than any other technology. A Mobile is made from aluminium, silver, copper, zinc, gold, silicon, plastic and other materials. Needless to say that manufacturing of these items has its own environmental impact. And its battery is made from lithium and cobalt. Lithium extraction causes air contamination. The chemical discharged from the factory dissolves into the water bodies making it extremely polluted. Cobalt mining has also some similar kinds of issues. So before you post or tweet any “Save Environment” memes just pause for a moment and think about it, “You are the Problem”

Air Conditioner

We like to give gyan on global warming, while sitting in an air conditioner room. An air conditioners causes roughly 100 millions tons of carbon dioxide each year. As per some studies, by the year 2050 Air Conditioners would have caused around 25% of global warming. So don’t use Air-conditioner, if you are so concerned about the nature.

Books, Paper & Trees

We protest against tree cutting but don’t hesitate to buy books on “Save Environment”. Our hunger for knowledge has come at the cost of cutting down lots of trees. The revenue of the paper industry is in several billions USD. Paper manufacturing comes at the cost of nature, from cutting down millions of trees, to the emission of NO2 and CO2. The entire process of paper production is one of the causes for the greenhouse effects. 

The Employment Factor

We participate in the Save Amazon & Goa’s Mollam movement, but at the same time we also cry about unemployment. We need to set out our priority clear. What if all these would suddenly shut down, the chaos it would follow is unimaginable.

The examples are endless. Each and every item around us has come from the earth, from mining to manufacturing to finished products. If we are so concerned about nature, first we need to let go of our luxuries.

Eco Friendly Growth??

How should humans move forward without even harming the ecosystem? Is eco friendly growth even possible? Is sustainable growth and clean energy is the correct way to move forward?

Even for clean energy like wind energy, 80% of material is made from steel. Its installation takes a large portion of the land. This again leads to deforestation and its consequences. Even Solar panels have their disadvantages. Disposing of the waste of solar panels is not environment friendly and setting up requires a large area.

Manufacturing of a single electric car emits nearly 9 metric tons of CO2. This is because an electric vehicles requires Lithium ion for its batteries. Lithium and cobalt mining are detrimental for our eco system.

Our world is going paperless because of digitization. Less trees are cut down, hence less CO2 emission. But the harsh truth is that digitization and technology has led to lots of e-Waste. As per a rough estimate, in 2019 there were at least 2 billions computers in the world. A computer is made from steel, iron ore, glass, bauxite, plastic and other materials. The mining and manufacturing process of these items is extremely harmful for the earth. As per some studies digitization has caused more greenhouse effects than the aviation industry. We might become paperless but not pollutionless.

Solutions

It’s a very complex issue which require mature understand. Environment cannot be viewed as a separate issue, It is deeply interconnected with growth. Humans need growth to survive. People need work, job, employment to survive. And growth is not eco friendly. 

Hence, a socio economic structure has to be built around the needs of people rather than greed and luxuries. Innovations and Inventions should focus on the needs of the people. We must understand that the sacrifices which needs to be made will be huge. Various Governments and Corporate houses also have to make some tough stances. We need to give away our comforts and need to give survival the only priority? Till then we should stop crying about “Save Environment”.