The 4Rs

The 4Rs

Just a few more days left before we move on to yet another "New Year". Hope this, soon to be past, year was all good for those of you who may have chanced upon my blog. My heartfelt condolences to those of you who may have experienced loss of any nature. Hope the new year brings with it the miracle of healing for you.

2015, like any other year, has been eventful with its share of the good, the bad and the ugly. This blog , my first ever, is not a list of the best and the worst of those events, thankfully so. However, one of those events which grabbed headlines and which stirred a debate is the Paris Climate Agreement, if I can refer to it as such.

Truthfully, I haven't pored over the "agreement" text in any detail whatsoever. Having read a couple of news articles, here and there, the premise of these "climate change talks" keeps me wondering. Why should it take developed nations more than half-a-century to realise what they've been doing to the Earth's atmosphere. And why do they take it for granted that they can assume the role of big-brother in determining what the developing nations should and shouldn't do in this respect.

Anyhow, as I said, "I wonder...", as in that's not my primary complaint.

My primary complaint is this, should environmental and atmospheric pollution be addressed vis-a-vis climate change. Especially, when there are as many skeptics as believers amongst the nations' populace; not to forget the ignorant when it comes to climate change. Isn't climate change a recurring cycle, even without human activity? So why portray something that's seemingly regular as a result of human activity just over the past century.

My second complaint is why does one need an international forum to agree that they have to keep their respective nations clean...from pollution. Yes, pollution of the elements is what we need to address, climate is beyond human capacity...atleast for now. Why can't a nation realize the significance and the benefits of living in a cleaner, pollution-free or rather less polluted environment? I say its to do with the mindset, values and education that a people inherit/imbibe/acquire from the society they live in. 

Although, people are responsible for pollution they are not entirely to be blamed. Most governments and  corporate establishments are the ones who need to be blamed squarely. The quantity of effluents and by-products that these entities discard into the lakes, rivers, sea, air and land is disproportionate to the needs of the common man that these entities seemingly exist to serve. So its not just the mindset of the organic organism which is man, but the mindset, ethos and values of the inorganic and in some cases intangible organism in the form of government entities and corporate factories that needs an overhaul.

For those of you wondering what the heck the post title has got anything to do with the actual post, here's your answer: We live in a day and age where pollution cannot be completely stopped, but it can definitely be reduced/controlled to a great extent. Kindly Reduce, Reuse, Re-purpose and Recycle. There, now you know what the 4Rs stand for.

Before you buy stuff, think twice. Ask yourself: 

• Do I really need it? 
• Will I actually put it to use? 
• Do I want it just because my neighbor/friend/colleague/acquaintance has this? 

If you are able to answer these questions satisfactorily you know whether you need to acquire stuff. That's how one applies Reduce.

Before you discard stuff into trash, think twice. Ask your self: 

• Will I need this again? 
• Can someone else still use this? 
• Can this stuff be donated? 
• Can this be utilized for a purpose other than what this was meant for and if so, is it safe? 

Finally, if you still decide to trash, make sure you trash it in the right bin. OR perhaps find a recycle collection point to drop off your stuff.

Do your bit to control pollution, educate yourself on your actions that impact the environment around you, take time to help your kids appreciate the significance of the environment and the elements they are surrounded by - after all if we are to leave a legacy behind for them they have the same duty towards the generation after them.