t
was at the dawn of industrialisation in 1750 that man started consuming
fossil fuels for producing ever increasing number of goods and services.
But at that time, man was unaware that he was changing the climate of
planet Earth through emissions of greenhouse gases. According to the
IPCC, the average global temperature has increased by 0.74°C over the
twentieth century and if the global average temperatures exceed 2°C over
what it was at the advent of industrial revolution, it will lead to a
rise in the sea level, resulting in submersion of coastal areas, extreme
droughts, erosion and loss of forests.
Further, densely populated
South Asia which relies heavily on agriculture and natural resources is
expected to be most seriously affected because of the impact of climate
change. People largely remained unaware of the adverse effects of green
revolution based on petrochemical-based fertilisers and pesticides.
While adoption of green revolution technologies did result in a
substantial increase in food grain production in the second half of the
twentieth century, excessive use of these technologies also brought
about nutrient imbalance of the soil, loss of biodiversity and
pesticides-induced cancer.
Expressing concern on these
issues, the Club of Rome, an international group of businessmen,
statesmen and scientists, through their thesis Limits to Growth
(1972) emphasised that there is a natural limit to growth of this
pattern of production.
The critical issue for mankind
is to heed the warnings and manage, conserve and restore the ecosystems
in such a manner that the ecosystems continue to provide the goods and
services to humanity for eternity. The hope resides in adopting a green
lifestyle that is based on ‘reduce, reuse, and recycle (3Rs) and
reproduce’ (3+1R) rather than the ‘use and throw’ lifestyle modelled
after the United States, which generates the highest waste per capita.
Development Alternatives has
achieved success in low carbon construction materials (like fly ash
bricks, compressed earth blocks, prefabricated ferro cement channels,
etc.), water conservation (rainwater harvesting), water recycling,
renewable energy services through innovative technologies and delivery
models for rural and urban areas. The most important component is
capacity building and sensitisation for sustenance of the models
implemented. The crux lies in greening the attitude of society.
Society is made up of small
systems. Some systems appear healthy while some are vulnerable to the
social, economic and environmental conditions. Whatever may be the
context, most of the systems have a poor score on green attitude and
lifestyle. Each system may be likened to a tree which is fed waste
material, sunlight and water only. It works on the principle of 3+1 Rs
and yields eco-fuel, eco-houses, eco-transportation and green
electricity that will not only improve the score of green attitude but
also reduce inequality. The roots nurtured with the attitude of people
will keep the tree healthy and growing. The tree becomes like a system
which can perform the functions of reduce, reuse and recycle materials
and reproduce to ensure that the ongoing processes are not disturbed.
A forest of such trees is a big
dream and that is when our lifestyle will become green. Green lifestyle
through green technology is the essence of sustainable development and
as per the theme of this issue; the various articles showcase green
technologies and their applications.
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