Global Warming And Me.
At a recent department festival in my University called Mutation-08, I met an Environmentalist who told me that Biotechnology can be used to curb Global Warming. She then asked me what I understood by Global Warming. At that time I couldnt really think of anything, I told her it is the melting of ice-bergs at the Arctic and increase in temperature leading to droughts or floods. I could sense she wasn`t too happy with my answer. Obviously she expected something more technical and a detailed version from me. This led her to organise the screening of a movie on Global Warming for me and my collegues.
The movie was an eye-opener. I understood what Global Warming was with proper statistical data to go with it. Carbon footprints was one such important thing explained. I learnt that human beings release a lot of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide as long as they live. This compelled me to ask myself what I could do in order to curb my carbon footprints? How much harm have I caused to the Earth since the day I was born?
Although I can`t really answer the latter as I have no means to calculate it and I don`t even remember!. However there are many little things that every average student or person can do to make this Earth a better place to live in.
In Japan I`ve seen a number of green spaces, although technically and industrially advanced as a Nation. I learnt that their respect for Mother Nature has made them very environmental friendly. Apart from creating a large number of green spaces there is a great deal of awareness among the Japanese people on this issue. At the recently concluded Japanese Formula One GP, eco-friendly green grooves on tyres were used. What a fantastic way to go green in a sport that requires a hell lot of fuel!
Back in India I believe in saving electricity as much as possible. I do not have an air-conditioner in my bed-room in Mumbai and I don`t even feel the need for one as the garden outside provides me with clean,fresh air. I try to switch off the mains when required. As far as my transport means are concerned I have always been using public transport to the University. I try to plant as many trees as possible in my own little garden that I maintain.
These few things although may not really be a great deal they are definitely a way to improve living for me and the generation that follows. If each one of us tries to contribute a little bit in their own way this world would definitely be a nicer and cleaner place to exist in.
Planting trees and regulating the use of CFC [Chloro Flouro Carbon] compounds emitting gadgets and machines apart from using public transport and car-pool services will surely go a long way.
In future I would really like to use Biotechnology for environmental purposes. Be it introducing a variety of micro-organisms that eat up the waste in the ground or inventing many other ways that will help the mankind in protecting the environment.
-Isha.
24/oct/08.
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