In 43 years of its history, World Environment Day movement has urged people around the world to save environment, become aware of the threats posed by climate change and take affirmative action. But never did it ask people in a way where the message was inextricably linked with the economics of living.
However, by clubbing the environmental awareness with lifestyle changes the World Environment Day has brought our attention to one very important issue — economics.
Human existence and its development depends on natural resources. Most of the resources are scarce and take a lot of time to replenish naturally. In such a scenario a development model where growth and expansion of economy is based on hyper consumerism is a sure recipe of disaster.
The throwaway culture puts extreme pressure on precious natural resources. Take the case of cars. Till a generation ago those who owned a car (they were few in number) lived with that car for the rest of their lives.
Today on an average a car owner is changing car every 3 to 5 years. Suppose they have an active life of 30 years where they have the financial wherewithal to replace cars they will end up buying and junking 6 to 10 cars – a ten-fold increase in consumption of iron, plastic, rubber, chrome etc per person.
Same goes for furniture. We have all grown up listening to the tales of teakwood furniture that outlasted people and stayed in a home for generations. No more now. Furniture today is replaced at a whim or becomes casualty of a fad.
It is in respect of this mindless consumerism that we should look at the World Environment Day’s slogan. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is urging people to live a comfortable but frugal life and get off the mind numbing consumerism.
The template of new life can be found in the axiom of sustainable development as articulated by former Norwegian Prime Minister Ms Gro Harlem Brundtland. She urged people to consume natural resources in a way where their needs are met without jeopardising future generation’s ability to meet their own needs.
Fifty years ago when the world had 3.5 billion less souls, it was being felt that our lifestyle was unsustainable for the natural resources to cope with. Today when the planet is crowded with double the number of people it is all the more important that we consume with care.
Taking a leaf out of Eastern esoteric teachings of mindful living, if we can imbibe the lifestyle of careful consumption, seven billion souls will help the planet Earth to recoup herself and in turn make our lives better.
