Save our Planet

Questions: What can we do to save the world? How much are we concerned about the environment? What are people doing to save the world? How much should you be concerned?
Did you hear about the forest fires in California? Did you hear about the ground water drying in Australia? What about the rise in gas prices in the US? Leave other countries, LPG gas prices in Nepal spiked up to NRs. 1100 (from NRs. 800) recently and petrol price in the range of Rs 70 in addition to being in line at the pump station for few hours. Black market rates are even 40 to 50 percent higher and it is much easier to purchase. Do you know where the world is headed to? Who is to blame for the increasing household expenditure? How do we explain the forest fires and floods and other natural disasters?
We talked about the global warming many years ago. There was the famous Kyoto Protocol signed, now by 160 countries, whereas the members would reduce the production of greenhouse gases that is the main cause of global warming. Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) says that the temperature of the earth’s surface will like rise by 1.1 to 6.4 degrees Celsius during the 21st century. They say the rich countries are to blame more whereas the poor countries would suffer the consequences. Which means you will probably save your money not buying winter clothes to buy air conditioning during summer. Every year we see record breaking temperatures which are somehow related to record breaking climbs to Mount Everest. The ice-caps are melting at a faster pace. Between 2004 and 2005, a NASA satellite recorded a loss of 14% of perennial sea ice, which normally lasts the whole year. CIT NASA The overall decrease in perennial sea ice is about the size of Texas.
The real question is what can you do to save the world? You might think you are too small to make any improvements. You might think you are just a commoner fighting for survival in this ever increasing expenses. But you should realize that every pixel contributes to a colorful high quality picture that you take from your digital camera. If 100 pixels are dilated, you will see a patch in your picture. If you were competing for a photo contest, then you would be very concerned even though you have an 8 Megapixel picture.
If you are concerned about climate change and can convince 10 others, then you can make a change.
Raise public awareness, campaign against use of non degradable wastes like plastics and short term batteries. Recycle every possible item you can. Others might think you are poor, but make them realize that the world is getting poorer in resources and they better start doing the same. If you are in an underdeveloped country, you have a lot more to do. Sanitation, cleanliness, safe drinking water, wash before cooking, spreading awareness in the community.
After all, it is our world. We live in it. And we live as brothers and sisters. It is our duty to make sure that it is safe for the new generation, may it benefit the people living in another part of the world or in your neighborhood, you still care for each other. You want to see your children live a healthy life. You make sure you have done your part.
Come, lets save the world.
-Aafanta
References:
IPCC (http://www.ipcc.ch/),
CIT, NASA (http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2006-107)
Local Nepali Sources