“The difference between
animals and humans is that animals change themselves for the environment, but
humans change the environment for themselves.”
Author: Sonam Chandwani, Managing Partner, KS Legal & Associates
 |
Sonam Chandwani, Managing Partner, KS Legal & Associates |
Since the inception of civilization, the human species
have manipulated the environment to suit for its own benefit. In order to
satisfy the needs and demands of increasing population, industrialization and
urbanization became inevitable, and the apparent significance proved to be injurious
to the global environment. Man-made alterations to nature invariably led to change
of biodiversity and ecosystem, ozone layer depletion, global warming, water
pollution, air pollution, and most visibly climate change. In the human pursuit
to drive the nature as per their own whims and desire, environment pollution became
an inevitable consequence and a pressing issue today.
However, in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, cities
and villages across the globe have come to a standstill with most countries
under a partial to complete lockdown as a measure to contain the spread of the
deadly virus. Mobility restrictions, supply chain disruptions, plummeting asset
prices are only the tip of the iceberg with regards to economic consequences. Meanwhile,
efforts to limit transmission of the SARS-CoV-2, through restrictions have had
an exceptional environmental effect. Due to non-functioning of industries,
industrial waste emission has decreased to a large extent. Vehicles are hardly
found on the roads resulting almost zero emission of green-house gases and
toxic tiny suspended particles to the environment. Due to lesser demand of
power in industries, use of fossil fuels or conventional energy sources have
been lowered considerably. Ecosystems are being greatly recovered. In many big
cities the inhabitants are experiencing a clear sky for the first time in their
lives. The pollution level in tourist spots such as forests, sea beaches, hill
areas etc. is also shrinking largely. Ozone layer has been found to have
revived to some extent. The pandemic has displayed its contrasting consequence
on human civilization, in the sense that, on one hand it has executed worldwide
destruction, but created a very positive impact on the world environment on the
other hand.
and villages across the globe have come to a standstill with most countries
under a partial to complete lockdown as a measure to contain the spread of the
deadly virus. Mobility restrictions, supply chain disruptions, plummeting asset
prices are only the tip of the iceberg with regards to economic consequences. Meanwhile,
efforts to limit transmission of the SARS-CoV-2, through restrictions have had
an exceptional environmental effect. Due to non-functioning of industries,
industrial waste emission has decreased to a large extent. Vehicles are hardly
found on the roads resulting almost zero emission of green-house gases and
toxic tiny suspended particles to the environment. Due to lesser demand of
power in industries, use of fossil fuels or conventional energy sources have
been lowered considerably. Ecosystems are being greatly recovered. In many big
cities the inhabitants are experiencing a clear sky for the first time in their
lives. The pollution level in tourist spots such as forests, sea beaches, hill
areas etc. is also shrinking largely. Ozone layer has been found to have
revived to some extent. The pandemic has displayed its contrasting consequence
on human civilization, in the sense that, on one hand it has executed worldwide
destruction, but created a very positive impact on the world environment on the
other hand.
The UN Secretary General in his call for solidarity
during the crisis stated, “We must ensure that lessons are learned and that
this crisis provides a watershed moment for health emergency preparedness and
for investment in critical 21st century public services and the effective
delivery of global public goods.” He declared that the UN has a framework for
action – the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on
Climate Change and will endeavour to keep its promises for the people and
planet alike. UN report
warns that the current climate change pledges and legislations like the global
Paris Agreement (2016) are insufficient and inadequate to limit global warming
by the end of the century to two degrees Celsius. However, the United States was
the first country to withdraw from the Paris Agreement citing the restrictions
on the economy. This withdrawal and the cause behind it are the deathly reasons
behind recurring flashes of climate change in the form of natural disasters.
during the crisis stated, “We must ensure that lessons are learned and that
this crisis provides a watershed moment for health emergency preparedness and
for investment in critical 21st century public services and the effective
delivery of global public goods.” He declared that the UN has a framework for
action – the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on
Climate Change and will endeavour to keep its promises for the people and
planet alike. UN report
warns that the current climate change pledges and legislations like the global
Paris Agreement (2016) are insufficient and inadequate to limit global warming
by the end of the century to two degrees Celsius. However, the United States was
the first country to withdraw from the Paris Agreement citing the restrictions
on the economy. This withdrawal and the cause behind it are the deathly reasons
behind recurring flashes of climate change in the form of natural disasters.
A common person can contribute substantially
because a mass of common people only makes an entire population. While building
homes, individuals must stress on a LEED certification which is awarded to
“green homes”. Tax rebates are awarded to property buyers of green buildings
and commercial establishments for five years. Reduced usage of air
conditioners, increased usage of public transport and bamboo products are
important pointers. Utilizing bamboo products in daily-routine like brushes,
combs, and sanitary pads don’t limit their advantage to climate but also give
impetus to the growth of the industry in backward areas. Women must be advised
to use menstrual cups in place of sanitary pads, as they are relatively
economic and bring down wastes massively. The government has pushed for
increasing the demand for jute in 1987; it should take similar steps to give buoyancy
to bamboo and cloth industries.
because a mass of common people only makes an entire population. While building
homes, individuals must stress on a LEED certification which is awarded to
“green homes”. Tax rebates are awarded to property buyers of green buildings
and commercial establishments for five years. Reduced usage of air
conditioners, increased usage of public transport and bamboo products are
important pointers. Utilizing bamboo products in daily-routine like brushes,
combs, and sanitary pads don’t limit their advantage to climate but also give
impetus to the growth of the industry in backward areas. Women must be advised
to use menstrual cups in place of sanitary pads, as they are relatively
economic and bring down wastes massively. The government has pushed for
increasing the demand for jute in 1987; it should take similar steps to give buoyancy
to bamboo and cloth industries.
It is estimated that the livestock industry
produces a whopping sixty-four percent of ammonia which induces acid rain. The livestock industry also generates 65 percent of
human-related nitrous oxide, which has 300 times the Global Warming Potential
(GWP) of CO2. Estimates of the water required to produce a kilo of beef vary,
from 13,000 litres to 100,000 litres. The aforementioned are some of the many
horrifying statistics that must make an individual push for at least three days
of no-meat per week. A shift in diet can lower greenhouse gas emissions much
more quickly than shifts away from the fossil fuel burning technologies that
emit carbon dioxide.
produces a whopping sixty-four percent of ammonia which induces acid rain. The livestock industry also generates 65 percent of
human-related nitrous oxide, which has 300 times the Global Warming Potential
(GWP) of CO2. Estimates of the water required to produce a kilo of beef vary,
from 13,000 litres to 100,000 litres. The aforementioned are some of the many
horrifying statistics that must make an individual push for at least three days
of no-meat per week. A shift in diet can lower greenhouse gas emissions much
more quickly than shifts away from the fossil fuel burning technologies that
emit carbon dioxide.
The current generation is
fixated on fast-fashion. It has been estimated that there are 20 new garments
manufactured per person each year and we are buying 60% more than we were
in 2000. Each garment is worn less before being disposed of and this shorter
lifespan means higher relative manufacturing emissions. Textile production is
one of the most polluting industries, producing 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent
per year, which is more emissions than international flights and maritime
shipping. Consumption rates of textiles have to decline.
fixated on fast-fashion. It has been estimated that there are 20 new garments
manufactured per person each year and we are buying 60% more than we were
in 2000. Each garment is worn less before being disposed of and this shorter
lifespan means higher relative manufacturing emissions. Textile production is
one of the most polluting industries, producing 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent
per year, which is more emissions than international flights and maritime
shipping. Consumption rates of textiles have to decline.
The present and future
generations have to be vocal and must resist the mass felling of trees in
biological hotspots. There was an unprecedented uproar recently when “Array”
was taken down in Maharashtra and currently a similar protest is in force for
Arunachal Pradesh. Citizens must be pro-active and must constantly voice their
concerns. Only when voices are raised, the legislations are put in place to
mirror such concerns. Path-breaking laws like “The Air (Prevention and Control
of Pollution Act) 1981” and “Environment (Protection) Act, 1986” are a result
of public and global pressure. The environment and economy complement each
other’s protection and not blow each other out of proportion.
generations have to be vocal and must resist the mass felling of trees in
biological hotspots. There was an unprecedented uproar recently when “Array”
was taken down in Maharashtra and currently a similar protest is in force for
Arunachal Pradesh. Citizens must be pro-active and must constantly voice their
concerns. Only when voices are raised, the legislations are put in place to
mirror such concerns. Path-breaking laws like “The Air (Prevention and Control
of Pollution Act) 1981” and “Environment (Protection) Act, 1986” are a result
of public and global pressure. The environment and economy complement each
other’s protection and not blow each other out of proportion.
Lastly, it is pertinent to note that the pandemic showed
a glimpse into a horrendous future and gave us a reminder of the intimate and
delicate relationship between people and planet. Any efforts to make our world
safer are doomed to fail unless they address the critical interface between
people and pathogens, and the existential threat of climate change; so on World
Environment Day 2020 we should take a vow to make our Earth more habitable. This Day assumes
unparalleled importance as it sets out an important environmental mission for a
year, with a view to “celebrate bio-diversity” and replenish revive the
eco-system.
a glimpse into a horrendous future and gave us a reminder of the intimate and
delicate relationship between people and planet. Any efforts to make our world
safer are doomed to fail unless they address the critical interface between
people and pathogens, and the existential threat of climate change; so on World
Environment Day 2020 we should take a vow to make our Earth more habitable. This Day assumes
unparalleled importance as it sets out an important environmental mission for a
year, with a view to “celebrate bio-diversity” and replenish revive the
eco-system.
(Sonam Chandwani is Managing Partner at KS Legal & Associates. Views express in the article are of the author.)
