Environmental Problems – Solutions - Special Reference to India – A Way Forward

Environmental Problems – Sustainable Development – Solutions: Special Reference to India – A Way Forward -*Dr. S. Vijay Kumar ABSTRACT There is direct relationship between environment and economic development. Economic development without environmental considerations can cause serious environmental damage in turn impairing the quality of life of present and future generations. In the process of economic development, the environmental problems have been ignored or less concentrated. Any country’s environmental problems are related to the level of its economic development, the availability of natural resources and the lifestyle of its population. Environment plays a vital role in human civilization. Human beings have close relations with the biosphere in which they live. Today, the environmental crisis is a tremendous problem for the whole world. Developing countries and developed countries are all suffering from environmental problems. Therefore, today environmental problems and sustainable development has been the object of discussion throughout the world. Introduction: Awake and stop not until the goal of save environment is successfully achieved. This should be the spirit of every citizen and it should be taken up as a movement all over the world. To protect present and future generations there is no other way, except to protect environment. Environment can be simply defined as “A system encompassing all biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) elements affecting human life. The biotic components comprise all flora and fauna, and abiotic includes water, air, fire, sunlight, rocks, rivers, seas, climate etc. Environment plays a vital role in human civilisation. Human beings have close relations with the biosphere in which they live. The whole environment and ecology consisting of earth, air, water, plants and animals provide the necessary and sufficient conditions for sustaining human life. Today, the environmental crisis is a tremendous problem for the whole world. Developing countries and developed countries are all suffering from environmental problems. Therefore, today environmental problems have been the object of discussion throughout the world. In Vedic literature, all four Vedas the Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva recognize the importance of maintenance of the seasonal cycles that are likely to get altered due to the climate change owing to inappropriate human actions. It is remarkable that the people in Vedic times regarded Nature and the environment in a holistic manner and respected each of its constituents and entities by carefully preserving them. There is direct relationship between environment and economic development. Economic development without environmental considerations can cause serious environmental damage in turn impairing the quality of life of present and future generations. In the process of economic development, the environmental problems have been ignored or less concentrated. Any country’s environmental problems are related to the level of its economic development, the availability of natural resources and the lifestyle of its population. In India, rapid growth of population, poverty, urbanization, industrialization and several related factors are responsible for the rapid degradation of the environment. Environmental problems have become serious in many parts of the globe, and hence cannot be ignored. There is a need for coordination between government agencies, NGOs and the public for the proper management of environment quality and to achieve sustainable development in the country. Now, the need of the hour is to concentrate on sustainable development. In order to be sustainable, development must combine three main elements: fairness, protection of the environment, and economic efficiency. *Professor (Associate) & HoD of Economics, Retd. KGC (NAAC “A” Grade PG College), Hanamkonda, Glory of India Awardee, Ex - Member of Board of Studies, Kakatiya University, Warangal, Telangana State (India). This Paper is an attempt to review the current state of the environment, identifying the Problems with the Objectives & Policies for Sustainable Development, Suggesting Solutions with a Special reference to India and a Way Forward for Future. Objectives of the Study: • Brief Review of Literature • Objectives of Sustainable Development • Policies for Sustainable Development • Problems of Environment • Special Reference to India • Solutions • Conclusion Methodology: The Study is based on information and data accessed from different sources like relevant Websites, National, International Journals and Reports. Brief Review of Literature: “Earth has enough for needs but not for greed”. Faced with the over-exploitation of natural resources that accompanied economic and demographic growth, the think tank known as the Club of Rome, created in 1968, advocated zero growth. This group unites scientists, economists, national and international civil servants, and industrialists from 53 countries. It considers the complex problems that face all societies, whether industrialized or developing. In 1971, this private international association sounded an urgent alarm by publishing ‘The Limits to Growth’. Broadly speaking, it presents current economic development as being incompatible with the long-term protection of the planet. The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972 gave birth to the first true notion of sustainable development, which was called ‘eco development’ in those days. This founding conference was held in an atmosphere of conflict between the ecology and the economy. As the years have passed, the elements of civil societies, with poor support from governments, have been waking up to the need to implement worldwide solidarity to deal with the risks of chaos disturbing nature’s balances. In the 1980s, when the general public became aware of acid rain, the hole in the ozone layer, and the greenhouse effect, etc., this gradually dawning awareness took another step forward. Little by little, the media began to make these topics more accessible to the general public. In 1980, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) published its world conservation strategy. The Kyoto Protocol: There is a scientific consensus that human activities are causing global warming that could result in significant impacts such as sea level rise, changes in weather patterns and adverse health effects. As it became apparent that major nations such as the United States and Japan would not meet the voluntary stabilization target by 2000, Parties to the Convention decided in 1995 to enter into negotiations on a protocol to establish legally binding limitations or reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. It was decided by the Parties that this round of negotiations would establish limitations only for the developed countries, including the former Communist countries (called annex A countries). Negotiations on the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) were completed December 11, 1997, committing the industrialized nations to specify, legally binding reductions in emissions of six greenhouse gases. The 6 major greenhouse gases covered by the protocol are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs), per fluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). As a regime, it must also be “rectifiable” as a successor to the Kyoto Protocol. Mr. Ban Ki-moon Ex-General Secretary has said eradication poverty is not possible if we neglect or depleted our natural capital. He said science had shown that we were depleting the planet’s natural assets at an unsustainable rate. “Failure to combat climate change would increase poverty and hardships, destabilize economies, and breed insecurity in many countries”. During the first United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-1), in June 2014, ministers concluded that the post-2015 sustainable development agenda should fully integrate economic, social and environmental dimensions in a "coherent, holistic, comprehensive and balanced manner". This was reiterated by the UN Secretary-General in his December 2014 synthesis report The Road to Dignity by 2030. Climate Change: Climate change refers to the long-term impact on temperature or weather patterns and global temperature rise due to excessive greenhouse gases. UN Climate Change Conference (Paris) August, 2017, it is very unfortunate that Donald Trump’s decision to pull the US out of the historic Paris Climate Change Agreement and turn his back on the other 194 countries that signed it leaves him isolated on the world stage. But Trump is also isolated from the very Americans he purports to lead, and here lies hope. Across America, families, businesses, churches, institutions and governments are busy building a clean energy future. And no president can stop that. Climate change 2024: Despite several preventative measures and new technologies being made to combat further climate change, the truth is that the forecast for climate change in 2024 is not looking much better. Climate change in 2024 and the years to come are only expected to get worse. The worst projection for climate change in 2024 is that the chance for the average global temperature to rise above 1.5°C has increased to almost 50% for the next five year period between 2022 and 2026. It is expected that 2024 will continue to be exceptionally warm, seeing as 2023 broke multiple temperature records worldwide. As long as we continue to emit extreme amounts of greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, climate change will continue to worsen. International Protocols for Fighting Climate Change in 2024: COP29 with UNFCCC: The Conference of Parties (COP) is an annual meeting under the UNFCCC where global leaders discuss and debate the best approaches to address the most pressing threats and challenges of climate change. Paris Climate Agreement: An international treaty that mandates all countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. It replaced the Kyoto Protocol and is essential for global climate policy as it requires countries to set and achieve emission reduction goals. Net-zero Emissions by 2050: Countries and companies strive to balance out all carbon and greenhouse gas emissions by investing in carbon offsetting projects or purchasing carbon credits. This goal aims to stabilize global warming but emphasizes the need for sustainable practices to reduce fossil fuel usage. Objectives of Sustainable Development: (1). Accelerating economic growth (2) Meeting basic needs (3) Raising living standards (4) Helping in ensuring clean environment free from all types of pollution (5) Maximizing the net effects of economic development (6) Preservation and enhancement of the stock of the environmental, human and physical capital (7) Inter generational equity and (8) Overall strict control on gross exploitation of the natural resources of each country. Policies for Sustainable Development: The important policy measures for sustainable development are as follows: Reducing Poverty: Reduction of poverty should be the foremost priority of the Government. It should select those projects which provide greater employment opportunities to the poor. It should expand health; family planning and education that will help reduce population growth. Supply of drinking water, sanitation facilities, and slum clearance should be given top priority. Removing Subsidies: To reduce environmental degradation at no net financial cost to the Government, subsidies for resource use by the private and public sectors should be removed. Because, subsidies on the use of electricity, fertilizers, pesticides, diesel, petrol, gas, irrigation, water etc lead to their wasteful use and environmental problems. Clarifying and Extending Property Rights: Lack of property rights over excessive use of resources leads to degradation of environment. This leads to overgrazing, deforestation and over exploitation of minerals. Therefore, clarifying and assigning ownership titles to private owners will solve environmental problems. Market based Approaches: Various market based approaches should be adopted to protect environment. Market based instruments in the form of emission tax, pollution taxes, marketable permits, depositor fund system, input taxes, differential tax rates, user administrative charges, subsidies for pollution abatement equipment etc should be extensively used to protect environment. Regulatory Policies: Regulatory policies are the other weapons for reducing environmental degradation. Regulators have to make decisions regarding price, quantity and technology. They decide the technical standards, regulations and charges on air, water and land pollutants. Public Participation: Public awareness and participation are highly effective to improve environmental conditions. For this purpose various formal & informal education programme, environmental awareness programmes, advertisement, public movements, aforestation, conservation of wild life etc are to be organized on a large scale. Trade and Environment: The Government should formulate an environment friendly trade policy covering both domestic and international trade. It should encourage the establishment of less polluting industries, adoption of cleaner technologies, adoption of environment friendly processes etc to control environmental degradation. Participation in Global Environmental Efforts: Participation in various international conventions and agreements on environmental protection and conservation can also help to minimize damages of environmental degradation. They include the Montreal protocol, the Basel convention, the Rio Declaration, the Agenda 21, the Earth summits, etc. Renewable energy: Policies should be framed for the use of renewable energy like solar and wind in place of coal and petrol. Atomic Energy Agency predicted that renewable energy would overtake natural gas to become the second largest source of power generation worldwide within two years, and that global wind and solar generating capacity would increase by more than 30 per cent. Problems of Environment: Some of the biggest environmental problems from deforestation and biodiversity loss to food waste and fast fashion are: Global Warming from Fossil Fuels: Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures and causing Climate Change. As global temperatures climb, widespread shifts in weather systems occur, making events like droughts, hurricanes, and floods more intense and unpredictable. 2023 was the hottest year on record, with global average temperatures at 1.46C above pre-industrial levels and 0.13C higher than the eleven-month average for 2016, currently the warmest calendar year on record. The year was marked by six record-breaking months and two record-breaking seasons. What’s more, carbon dioxide (CO2) levels have never been so high. After being consistently around 280 parts per million (ppm) for almost 6,000 years of human civilization, CO2 levels in the atmosphere are now well above 420 ppm, more than double what they were before the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Rick Spinrad, the steady annual increase is a “direct result of human activity,” mainly from the burning of fossil fuels for transportation and electricity generation but also from cement manufacturing, deforestation, and agriculture. Poor Governance: According to economists like Nicholas Stern, the climate crisis is a result of multiple market failures. Economists and environmentalists have urged policymakers for years to increase the price of activities that emit greenhouse gases (one of our biggest environmental problems), the lack of which constitutes the largest market failure, for example through carbon taxes, which will stimulate innovations in low-carbon technologies. To cut emissions quickly and effectively enough, governments must not only massively increase funding for green innovation to bring down the costs of low-carbon energy sources, but they also need to adopt a range of other policies that address each of the other market failures. A national carbon tax is currently implemented in 27 countries around the world, including various countries in the EU, Canada, Singapore, Japan, Ukraine and Argentina. However, according to the 2019 OECD Tax Energy Use report, current tax structures are not adequately aligned with the pollution profile of energy sources. Further, the Paris Agreement, a historic deal within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), says that countries need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly so that global temperature rise is below 2C by 2100, and ideally less than 1.5C. But signing on to it is voluntary, and there are no real repercussions for non-compliance. Further, the issue of equity remains a contentious issue whereby developing countries are allowed to emit more in order to develop to the point where they can develop technologies to emit less, and it allows some countries, such as China, to exploit this. Food Wastage: A third of the food intended for human consumption – around 1.3 billion tons – is wasted or lost. This is enough to feed 3 billion people. Food waste and loss account for approximately one-quarter of greenhouse gas emissions annually; if it was a country, food waste would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, behind China and the US. Food waste and loss occurs at different stages in developing and developed countries; in developing countries, 40% of food waste occurs at the post-harvest and processing levels, while in developed countries, 40% of food waste occurs at the retail and consumer levels. At the retail level, a shocking amount of food is wasted because of aesthetic reasons; in fact, in the US, more than 50% of all produce thrown away in the US is done so because it is deemed to be “too ugly” to be sold to consumers- this amounts to about 60 million tons of fruits and vegetables. This leads to food insecurity, another one of the biggest environmental problems on the list. Biodiversity Loss: The term biodiversity was coined in 1985. “Biodiversity is the variation among living organisms from different sources including terrestrial, marine and desert ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are a part.” The past 50 years have seen a rapid growth of human consumption, population, global trade and urbanization, resulting in humanity using more of the Earth’s resources than it can replenish naturally. A 2020 WWF (World Wide Fund Report) Report found that the population sizes of mammals, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians have experienced a decline of an average of 68% between 1970 and 2016. The report attributes this biodiversity loss to a variety of factors, but mainly land-use change, particularly the conversion of habitats, like forests, grasslands and mangroves, into agricultural systems. Animals such as pangolins, sharks and seahorses are significantly affected by the illegal wildlife trade, and pangolins are critically endangered. More broadly, a recent analysis has found that the sixth mass extinction of wildlife on Earth is accelerating. More than 500 species of land animals are on the brink of extinction and are likely to be lost within 20 years; the same numbers were lost over the whole of the last century. The scientists say that without the human destruction of nature, this rate of loss would have taken thousands of years. In Antarctica, climate change-triggered melting of sea ice is taking a heavy toll on emperor penguins and could wipe out entire populations according to 2023 research. Plastic Pollution: In 1950, the world produced more than 2 million tons of plastic per year. By 2015, this annual production swelled to 419 million tons and exacerbating plastic waste in the environment. A report by science journal, Nature, determined that currently, roughly 14 million tons of plastic make their way into the oceans every year, harming wildlife habitats and the animals that live in them. The research found that if no action is taken, the plastic crisis will grow to 29 million metric tons per year by 2040. If we include micro plastics into this, the cumulative amount of plastic in the ocean could reach 600 million tons by 2040. Shockingly, National Geographic found that 91% of all plastic that has ever been made is not recycled, representing not only one of the biggest environmental problems of our lifetime, but another massive market failure. Considering that plastic takes 400 years to decompose, it will be many generations until it ceases to exist. There’s no telling what the irreversible effects of plastic pollution will have on the environment in the long run. Deforestation: Every hour, forests the size of 300 football fields are cut down. By the year 2030, the planet might have only 10% of its forests; if deforestation isn’t stopped, they could all be gone in less than 100 years. The three countries experiencing the highest levels of deforestation are Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia. Despite efforts to protect forest land, legal deforestation is still rampant, and about one-third of global tropical deforestation occurs in Brazil’s Amazon forest, amounting to 1.5 million hectares each year. The world has been chopping down 10 million hectares of trees every year to make space to grow crops and livestock, and to produce materials such as paper. Agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, another one of the biggest environmental problems. Land is cleared to raise livestock or to plant other crops that are sold, such as sugar cane and palm oil. Besides for carbon sequestration, forests help to prevent soil erosion, because the tree roots bind the soil and prevent it from washing away, which also prevents landslides. Air Pollution: One of the biggest environmental problems today is outdoor air pollution. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that an estimated 4.2 to 7 million people die from air pollution worldwide every year and that nine out of 10 people breathe air that contains high levels of pollutants. In Africa, 258,000 people died as a result of outdoor air pollution in 2017, up from 164,000 in 1990, according to UNICEF. Causes of air pollution mostly come from industrial sources and motor vehicles, as well as emissions from burning biomass and poor air quality due to dust storms. According to a 2023 study, air pollution in South Asia – one of the most polluted areas in the world – cuts life expectancy by about 5 years. The study blames a series of factors, including a lack of adequate infrastructure and funding for the high levels of pollution in some countries. Most countries in Asia and Africa, which together contribute about 92.7% of life years lost globally due to air pollution, lack key air quality standards needed to develop adequate policies. Moreover, just 6.8% and 3.7% of governments in the two continents, respectively, provide their citizens with fully open-air quality data. In Europe, a recent report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) showed that more than half a million people living in the European Union died from health issues directly linked to toxic pollutants exposure in 2021. Melting Ice Caps and Sea Level Rise: The climate crisis is warming the Arctic more than twice as fast as anywhere else on the planet. Today, sea levels are rising more than twice as quickly as they did for most of the 20th century as a result of increasing temperatures on Earth. Seas are now raising an average of 3.2 mm per year globally and they will continue to grow up to about 0.7 meters by the end of this century. In the Arctic, the Greenland Ice Sheet poses the greatest risk for sea levels because melting land ice is the main cause of rising sea levels. Representing arguably the biggest of the environmental problems, this is made all the more concerning considering that last year’s summer triggered the loss of 60 billion tons of ice from Greenland, enough to raise global sea levels by 2.2mm in just two months. According to satellite data, the Greenland ice sheet lost a record amount of ice in 2019: an average of a million tons per minute throughout the year, one of the biggest environmental problems that have cascading effects. If the entire Greenland ice sheet melts, sea level would rise by six meters. Sea level rise will have a devastating impact on those living in coastal regions: according to research and advocacy group Climate Central, sea level rise this century could flood coastal areas that are now home to 340 million to 480 million people, forcing them to migrate to safer areas and contributing to over population and strain of resources in the areas they migrate to. Bangkok (Thailand), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Manila (Philippines), and Dubai (United Arab Emirates) are among the cities most at risk of sea level rise and flooding. Ocean Acidification: Global temperature rise has not only affected the surface, but it is the main cause of ocean acidification. Our oceans absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide that is released into the Earth’s atmosphere. As higher concentrations of carbon emissions are released thanks to human activities such as burning fossil fuels as well as effects of global climate change such as increased rates of wildfires, so do the amount of carbon dioxide that is absorbed back into the sea. The smallest change in the pH scale can have a significant impact on the acidity of the ocean. Ocean acidification has devastating impacts on marine ecosystems and species, its food webs, and provokes irreversible changes in habitat quality. Once pH levels reach too low, marine organisms such as oysters, their shells and skeleton could even start to dissolve. Higher acidity in the ocean would obstruct coral reef systems’ ability to rebuild their exoskeletons and recover from these coral bleaching events. Some scientists have estimated coral reefs are at risk of being completely wiped by 2050. Agriculture: Studies have shown that the global food system is responsible for up to one-third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, of which 30% comes from livestock and fisheries. Crop production releases greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide through the use of fertilizers. 60% of the world’s agricultural area is dedicated to cattle ranching, although it only makes up 24% of global meat consumption. Agriculture not only covers a vast amount of land, but it also consumes a vast amount of freshwater, another one of the biggest environmental problems. While arable lands and grazing pastures cover one-third of Earth’s land surfaces, they consume three-quarters of the world’s limited freshwater resources. Scientists and environmentalists have continuously warned that we need to rethink our current food system; switching to a more plant-based diet would dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of the conventional agriculture industry. Food and Water Insecurity: Rising temperatures and unsustainable farming practices have resulted in increasing water and food insecurity. Globally, more than 68 billion tonnes of top-soil is eroded every year at a rate 100 times faster than it can naturally be replenished. Laden with biocides and fertilisers, the soil ends up in waterways where it contaminates drinking water and protected areas downstream. A key contributor to soil erosion is over-tilling: although it increases productivity in the short-term by mixing in surface nutrients (e.g. fertiliser), tilling is physically destructive to the soil’s structure and in the long-term leads to soil compaction, loss of fertility and surface crust formation that worsens topsoil erosion. With the global population expected to reach 9 billion people by mid-century, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) projects that global food demand may increase by 70% by 2050. Around the world, more than 820 million people do not get enough to eat. Unless immediate action is taken, it is increasingly clear that there is an impending global food security emergency that could have long term impacts on hundreds of millions of adults and children. Hence, there is a need for countries to rethink their food systems and to encourage more sustainable farming practices. In terms of water security, only 3% of the world’s water is fresh water, and two-thirds of that is tucked away in frozen glaciers or otherwise unavailable for our use. As a result, some 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to water, and a total of 2.7 billion find water scarce for at least one month of the year. By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population may face water shortages. Fast Fashion and Textile Waste: The global demand for fashion and clothing has risen at an unprecedented rate that the fashion industry now accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions, becoming one of the biggest environmental problems of our time. Fashion alone produces more greenhouse gas emissions than both the aviation and shipping sectors combined, and nearly 20% of global wastewater, or around 93 billion cubic metres from textile dyeing, according to the UN Environment Programme. What’s more, the world at least generated an estimated 92 million tonnes of textiles waste every year and that number is expected to soar up to 134 million tonnes a year by 2030. Discarded clothing and textile waste, most of which is non-biodegradable, ends up in landfills, while micro plastics from clothing materials such as polyester, nylon, polyamide, acrylic and other synthetic materials, is leeched into soil and nearby water sources. Monumental amounts of clothing textile are also dumped in less developed countries as seen with Chile’s Atacama, the driest desert in the world, where at least 39,000 tonnes of textile waste from other nations are left there to rot. Of the 100 billion garments produced each year, 92 million tonnes end up in landfills. Ozone depletion: Ozone hole have generated worldwide concern over increased cancer risks and other negative effects. The ozone layer prevents harmful wavelengths of ultraviolet (UVB) light from passing through the Earth's atmosphere. These wavelengths cause skin cancer, sunburn, permanent blindness, and cataracts, which were projected to increase dramatically as a result of thinning ozone, as well as harming plants and animals. Overfishing: Over three billion people around the world rely on fish as their primary source of protein. About 12% of the world relies upon fisheries in some form or another, with 90% of these being small-scale fishermen – think a small crew in a boat, not a ship, using small nets or even rods and reels and lures not too different from the kind you probably use. Of the 18.9 million fishermen in the world, 90% of them fall under the latter category. Most people consume approximately twice as much food as they did 50 years ago and there are four times as many people on earth as there were at the close of the 1960s. This is one driver of the 30% of commercially fished waters being classified as being ‘overfished’. This means that the stock of available fishing waters is being depleted faster than it can be replaced. Overfishing comes with detrimental effects on the environment, including increased algae in the water, destruction of fishing communities, ocean littering as well as extremely high rates of biodiversity loss. As part of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14), the UN and FAO are working towards maintaining the proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels. This, however, requires much stricter regulations of the world’s oceans than the ones already in place. In July 2022, the WTO banned fishing subsidies to reduce global overfishing in a historic deal. Indeed, subsidies for fuel, fishing gear, and building new vessels, only encourage overfishing and represent thus a huge problem. Cobalt Mining: Cobalt is quickly becoming the defining example of the mineral conundrum at the heart of the renewable energy transition. As a key component of battery materials that power electric vehicles (EVs), cobalt is facing a sustained surge in demand as decarburization efforts progress. The world’s largest cobalt supplier is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where it is estimated that up to a fifth of the production is produced through artisanal miners. Cobalt mining, however, is associated with dangerous workers’ exploitation and other serious environmental and social issues. The environmental costs of cobalt mining activities are also substantial. Dust from pulverized rock is known to cause breathing problems for local communities as well. Soil Degradation: Organic matter is a crucial component of soil as it allows it to absorb carbon from the atmosphere. Plants absorb CO2 from the air naturally and effectively through photosynthesis and part of this carbon is stored in the soil as soil organic carbon (SOC). Healthy soil has a minimum of 3-6% organic matter. However, almost everywhere in the world, the content is much lower than that. According to the United Nations, about 40% of the planet’s soil is degraded. Soil degradation refers to the loss of organic matter, changes in its structural condition and/or decline in soil fertility and it is often the result of human activities, such as traditional farming practices including the use of toxic chemicals and pollutants. If business as usual continued through 2050, experts project additional degradation of an area almost the size of South America. If we do not change our reckless practices and step up to preserve soil health, food security for billions of people around the world will be irreversibly compromised, with an estimated 40% less food expected to be produced in 20 years’ time despite the world’s population projected to reach 9.3 billion people. Special Reference to India: Mission LiFE (Life Style for Environment): This thought process was at the base of Mission LiFE (Reduce Waste, E-Waste, Adopt Healthy Life Styles, Adopt Sustainable Food Systems, Save Energy, Save Water, and Say No to Single Use Plastic), announced by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCC COP2026) which seeks to bring individual responsibility to the forefront of the global climate narrative. It derives its philosophy from ancient Indian philosophy that supports a naturally sustainable lifestyle in accordance with nature, steering individual actions and collective demand towards pro-planet choices. India the land of the Saints, preached us very long back regarding the importance and protection of environment, they lived “eco-friendly”and taught us the same, but unfortunately we are ignoring and voluntarily inviting the disasters. The only remedy for disasters is living ecofriendly practically and thus showing the way for future generations. India - Environmental Performance Index 2024 (Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is a biennial index with the 3 policy objectives: Environmental Health, Ecosystem Vitality and Climate Change, initially launched by the World Economic Forum in 2002 under the name Environmental Sustainability Index - ESI): • India’s Performance: India ranks 176th out of 180 countries with 27.6 points, placing above only Pakistan, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar. • India performs poorly in Air quality, Emissions, and Biodiversity Conservation, largely due to its heavy reliance on coal, which contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution levels. • Specifically, India ranks 177th in air quality and 172nd in projected emissions by 2025. • The Largest Emitter of Transboundary Pollution: In South Asia, India is identified as the largest emitter of Transboundary pollution, impacting neighboring Bangladesh and affecting residents' well-being. • Despite its low overall ranking, India fares relatively better (133rd) in the climate change category, due to investments in renewable energy and a commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. However, achieving these goals will require an additional USD 160 billion annually in climate change mitigation investments. Issues Raised By India:  Projected GHG Emissions Calculation: The calculation of projected GHG emissions by 2050 is based on the average rate of change in emissions, which India considers inadequate.  Measurement of biodiversity loss or ecosystem health can be challenging due to the intricate dynamics involved and the lack of standardized methodologies across all regions.  Carbon Sinks Exclusion: India's forests and wetlands, which act as crucial carbon sinks, have not been factored into the computation of projected Green House Gas (GHG) emissions trajectory up to 2050 in the EPI 2024.  Ecosystem Condition Overlooked: While the index computes the extent of ecosystems, it does not evaluate their condition or productivity.  Lack of Relevant Indicators: The index does not include indicators like agro-biodiversity, soil health, food loss, and waste, developing nations may lack robust monitoring systems or face difficulties in collecting comprehensive environmental data, which are important for developing countries with large agrarian populations. General Issues:  Balancing National Priorities: Countries may prioritise economic development over environmental protection, leading to potential conflicts or resistance in implementing EPI recommendations.  Nations heavily reliant on resource extraction or fossil fuel-based industries may face challenges in transitioning to more sustainable practices.  Funding and Resource Constraints: Developing countries may struggle to allocate sufficient funds or expertise for environmental projects, hindering progress and developed countries have not allocated sufficient money to the developing nation for mitigation.  Cross-Border Environmental Impacts: Addressing transboundary issues such as air pollution, water management, or wildlife protection may require multilateral agreements and joint efforts. Solutions: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Global warming due to CO2 emissions — which according to the UN have increased by almost 50% since 1990 — is accelerating climate change and threatens the survival of millions of people, plants and animals by causing meteorological events like droughts, fires and floods, which are becoming increasingly frequent and more extreme. This means we need to take measures to mitigate its effects and adapt to its consequences which, even if we keep global warming under 2 ºC as required by the Paris Agreements, will last for centuries. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 90% of humanity breathes polluted air, so is calling for a reduction in air pollution to cut rates of respiratory illnesses, thus preventing seven million deaths a year. Contaminated water also causes major health problems and five million deaths a year according to Oxfam Intermón. Hence, we should eliminate dumping, minimizing the use of chemicals and treating more wastewater, among other measures. Protecting the Oceans: The oceans have become the giant waste dumps for plastic. What's more, there are other serious environmental problems related to the oceans such as damage to ecosystems due to global warming, dumping of pollutants, wastewater and fuel spills. Hence, the need of the hour is improved management of protected areas, giving them sufficient resources, and reducing overfishing, pollution and acidification of the ocean caused by the increase in the earth's temperature. The Energy Transition and Renewable: While energy accounts for 60% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the UN calculates that 13% of the world population lacks access to electricity and that 3 billion people depend on fossil fuels for cooking. This situation requires an energy transition towards a cleaner, more accessible and efficient model based on the use of renewable energy sources to build communities that are more sustainable, inclusive and resistant to environmental problems like climate change. A Sustainable Food Model: Intensive food production harms the environment by depleting the soil and damaging marine ecosystems. What's more, over exploitation of natural resources has put food safety and the availability of drinking water at risk. Hence, it essential to change the food production model and our food habits, including a more plant-based diet featuring local ingredients to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions. Protecting Biodiversity: We have already lost 8% of known animal species and 22% are at risk of extinction due mainly to the destruction of their natural habitats, poaching and the introduction of invasive species. Hence, we should take action for conclusive actions to put an end to these threats and conserve our natural heritage, including our increasingly threatened forests. Sustainable Urban Development: The growth of cities, which will need to accommodate around 5 billion people by 2030, will be another of the decade's big environmental challenges. Hence, the metropolises of the future will need to be compact, safe, inclusive, ecological and energy efficient, with more green spaces, more environmentally friendly buildings and more sustainable methods of transport which put the needs of pedestrians above those of traffic. Hydric Stress and Water Scarcity: The lack of this resource, vital to human, animal and plant survival, affects more than 40% of the world population, and according to the World Economic Forum, agriculture accounts for more than 70% of the water used in the planet's most arid countries. Hence, the need of the hour is responsible use of hydrological resources will improve food and energy production, as well as protecting the biodiversity of our water ecosystems and helping us slow climate change Over Population and Waste Management: The UN expects the world population to exceed 8.5 billion by 2030, forcing us to considerably reduce the amount of waste we generate through prevention, reduction, and reuse and recycling as part of the circular economy, with the aim of minimizing the impact on health and on the environment. Implementing Regenerative Farming: Regenerative farming is an agricultural practice that focuses on restoring the health of the soil and reversing environmental damage. This practice works to rebuild soil fertility, increase biodiversity, and reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Regenerative farming also works to improve water retention and reduce water runoff, which can help to reduce soil erosion and improve water quality. Regenerative farming helps to improve soil structure, increase organic matter, and promote healthy microbial activity in the soil. In addition to improving soil health, regenerative farming also works to restore biodiversity by increasing the number of beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife. This helps to create a more balanced ecosystem that can better resist pests and diseases. By reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, regenerative farming also helps to protect waterways from contamination. Tree Planting: Planting trees is an effective way to prevent environmental degradation. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air, helping to reduce air pollution. They also provide shade and shelter, helping to reduce the urban heat island effect and evaporation. Trees also help to reduce soil erosion by stabilizing the soil with their roots. In addition, trees help to conserve water by reducing runoff and providing a natural filter for water that passes through the soil. Finally, trees provide a habitat for wildlife, helping to maintain biodiversity. Planting trees is a simple and effective way to help protect the environment from degradation. Savings & Loan Opportunities: Savings and loan opportunities can be an effective tool in preventing environmental degradation. By providing access to capital for projects that promote sustainability or that simply provide families with a non-destructive means to grow financially and overcome poverty. This gives people in rural communities the means and margin to conserve and restore natural resources, such as forests and wetlands. Spiritual Renewal: Spiritual renewal is a powerful tool for preventing environmental degradation. A restored relationship with the Creator can help us recognize our interdependence with the rest of creation. This can help us develop a sense of responsibility for the environment and a desire to protect it. This spiritual renewal can lead to stewardship: more mindful consumption, greater respect for the environment, and more sustainable practices. Additionally, it can inspire us to take action to protect the environment, such as engaging in conservation efforts, reducing waste, and advocating for environmental policies. Pollution Control: Air, water, noise, soil are some of the major forms of pollution plaguing the environment today. Pollution control boards can be set up or regulatory standards must be enforced to keep pollution within lowest levels. Forest Conservation: Increased industrialization has come at the cost of deforestation. The implication of forests being cut down is that the ecology is significantly affected. Afforestation measures need to be taken and forest conservation regulations must be seriously implemented. Creating Awareness: Until people are made aware of the graveness of the situation, the problem of environmental degradation cannot be dealt with. Creating awareness through campaigns and movements can help avert the problem of the ongoing environmental crisis. Waste Management: Solid waste management must be carefully managed in urban areas. Rural waste has the potential of being used as natural manure by converting it into compost. Water Management: Rainwater harvesting and conservation of water can help with the long-term potent problem of scarcity of water. Implementation of Policy Programmes: Enactment of environment-centric acts and policies is not enough. Their effective implementation and careful observation are what will actually make a difference to environmental conservation efforts. Vote for Climate Action: Exercise democratic rights by supporting the candidates and policies that prioritize climate change mitigation and environmental protection. Reduce Carbon Footprint: Make conscious choices to reduce carbon footprint. Opt for renewable energy sources, conserve energy at home; using public transportation or carpool, and embrace sustainable practices like recycling and composting can reduce pollution. Environmental Organizations: Coordination with the organizations like Earth.Org and its NGO partners, dedicated to educating the public on environmental issues and solutions, supporting conservation efforts, holding those responsible, accountable, and advocating for effective environmental solutions can result in positive changes for the protection of environment. Embrace Sustainable Habits: Making sustainable choices in everyday life, Reduce single-use plastics, choosing eco-friendly products, prioritizing a plant-based diet and reduce meat consumption, and opting for sustainable fashion and transportation, Small changes can have a big positive impact on environment. Be Vocal, Engage and Educate Others: Spreading awareness about the climate crisis and the importance of environmental stewardship, engaging in conversations, sharing information, and inspiring others to take action can create a global movement for a sustainable future. Nothing Should be Given Freely: Most of the governments of today, offering free Shemes to the public to gain votes and seek power. But, this leads to wastage of economic and natural resources and ultimately affects environment. For example: Free power supply to the farmers and the poor and waving of loans etc. If inevitable give subsidies that too to a certain extent only, but not freely at the cost of tax payers money, which is meant for developmental purpose and also to protect environment. Efficient use of natural, economic resources and implementing strictly Environmental Protection Laws can only save environment to a greater extent. Stand with Climate Activists: Our support for activists on the frontlines of climate action, attending peaceful protests, rallies, and marches, or joining online campaigns to raise awareness and demand policy changes can contribute to building a stronger movement for climate justice and a sustainable future. Change Life Styles: No economic or industrial strategy is going to be successful without the world’s population changing its approach to climate and environment. Hence, before compelling poorer nations to change their developmental journey, it’s necessary for individuals, especially in the developed world, to alter their lifestyle in favour of simple behavioural changes, all of which directly contribute to mitigation efforts. For example: India has great experience in individual-led sustainable behaviours - using a cloth for kitchen cleaning instead of tissue papers, leaves instead of disposable plates and packaging material, water-based toilet cleaning systems, reuse and up cycling of household items, getting things repaired than thrown at the first sight of discomfort, turning off lights when not using the room/area, etc, and digital consciousness in the form of accepting bills as e-bills rather than paper bills, conserving electricity through the purchase of energy-efficient products, switching off when not in use, adopting cleantech products, virtual meetings but physical activities like outdoor run, use of solar water heaters etc. Thus, a change in life style (demand) will automatically cause a change in supply by relevant industries and can help to protect environment. Voluntary Relinquishment: This is not new in India. With a historical ashram based culture where householders give up their material desires voluntarily to advance towards devotion to society and God, the principles have been used for greater community welfare even in present times. The ‘Give it Up’ LPG Subsidy Scheme is perhaps the best example of this theory in practice at scale. Best Practices: Usage of locally sourced nature-based artisan choices like pattals, and bamboo bottles, refraining from excessive plastic use, conserving water, small actions such as collecting kitchen water to water plants, not leaving taps endlessly open, and using rainwater harvesting to utilize rainwater are both doable and desirous in the context of climate change. Making conscious choices in favour of sustainability will go a long way in curbing large-scale demand for environmentally adverse things. Using air-conditioning and thermostats at more optimum and sustainable temperatures: As pointed out by the Prime Minister of India, there is little sense in keeping temperatures artificially low to 17-18 degrees and then using a blanket. Default settings on ACs and temperatures in public places like malls, offices, and airports can be increased from 18 to 24-25 degrees. Popularly called the ‘Air conditioning paradox’. Over Consumption: Today, households need more devices per person as compared to a single television earlier. For example: overconsumption, disposability resulting in growing mountains of trash. As per IFC, ‘world generates over two billion tons of municipal solid waste annually and is expected to increase 70% by 2050.’ Hence, limiting the social consumption is one of the right directions to save environment. Reducing the need to carry disposable plastic bags repeatedly on errands, both by decreasing consumption and replacing them with reusable fabric bags. More than 1 million bags are used every minute with an average working life of 15 minutes, but stay on the earth’s surface forever, unless recycled. Building a culture of water reuse through individual behaviour change and mandated design specifications in favour of structures like rainwater harvesting. Water is becoming scarcer and scarcer resources. Some regions of the world have almost no access to fresh water. Governments should mandate water-efficient technologies and re-examine water-wasting ones (e.g., Reverse Osmosis water machines, single flush toilets). Practicing sustainable agriculture through the use of local seeds and natural farming practices. Agriculture residue to be used for mulching and composting. Fiscal Incentives for large households rather than single or two-person households, indirectly nudge societies to favour sustainable choices. Increased demand will re-energise the market for sustainable, traditional products that were made by local skilled workers and did not require industries from across the world to produce. Moreover, products of ivory, leather, and those made of endangered species must be individually discouraged and policy-banned. Circularity and reuse of waste products must be incentivised by the government. A good example will be the Government’s mandate for ethanol blending in petrol. Fashion and Textiles: Another area where individual choices and government action must converge is Fashion and Textiles. As per UNEP, the fashion industry is the second-biggest consumer of water and is responsible for 2-8% of global carbon emissions, 24% of insecticides, and 11% of pesticides. Apart from voluntary reuse and up cycling of clothes, there is a strong need for a Policy on Circularity in Textiles in India, as currently, less than 50% of textile waste in India undergoes any kind of reuse, repair, or remanufacture. Incorporation of Local and Sustainable Geography and Culture: ‘Annam Brahmam’ or Food is God. Even today, Indian cuisine is primarily plant-based like rice, dal, and roti. Meat is an added separate delicacy. Most of the cuisines are heavily dependent on local geography which not only provides a medicinal value to food but also reduces ecological footprint and reduces energy requirements. This is opposed to the global practice of industry-supplied veganism where in order to eat more sustainable food; one has to be dependent on avocados flying from halfway across the world or soy milk which has previously caused Amazon rainforest degradation. Golden Principle of Sustainable Ingestion – Eat Local, Eat Fresh, and Eat Sustainably: - More plant-based diet. - Use of leaf-based disposable plates instead of Styrofoam and single-use plastic. - Use of fermented products (as is dominant in Asian cultures) that use natural sun storage for achieving the desired state. - Up cycling food waste, or organic composting food waste (sour milk to paneer and reuse of whey water for lentils). - Growing medicinal herbs such as Tulsi, and Neem around us. - Afforestation of water-table saving trees. - Eating seasonally and locally – e.g. more millets than quinoa. - Production of natural varieties and seed harvesting are to be publicly incentivised. Public Policy and not the Market at the Helm of undertaking the ‘Right’ Decision: In India, the Ujala program, launched in 2015, to encourage energy-efficient LED lights has resulted in energy savings of around 48 billion kWh per year and estimated savings of USD 2.5bn per year. People were incentivised to adopt these LED lights by bringing down buying costs for people. Thus, a people-behaviour lifestyle change approach directly helped in climate mitigation. Mindful Consumption of Resources, Based on Need and not Greed: Countries must look at encouraging sustainable lifestyles – emphasis on low wastages on adjusting life in a way that ‘wants’ don’t become ‘needs’. That’s living well but harmoniously. Excesses of materialism only have negative externalities - more wastage, more littering, more eternal garbage sitting on the earth’s surface, less happiness – the law of diminishing marginal utility of the happiness-ownership curve can be seen in everyday lives. Most of the generation that is between ages 30 and 70 has seen a life where disposability and dispensability were not a part of existence. Materiality was linked to long periods of sacrifice and the rare acquisition that fuelled feelings of happiness. Even though choice is good for us, its relationship to contentment is quite complicated, and choice overload leads to a large set of negative outcomes. These range from indecisiveness to confusion to complications to dissatisfaction. In the Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde says “Nowadays, people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.” A Way Forward: • Enhance Methodology and Carbon Sequestration: Incorporate a longer time frame (e.g., 20-30 years) to calculate the projected GHG emissions trajectory, instead of relying solely on the average rate of change over the last 10 years. • Efforts to enhance carbon sequestration through initiatives like the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) should be recognized. • Expand Set of Indicators: Include indicators that are relevant to developing countries with large agrarian populations, such as agro-biodiversity, soil health, food loss, and waste management. • For India, the EPI could incorporate indicators like the area under organic farming, crop diversification, and measures to reduce post-harvest losses, reflecting the country's efforts toward sustainable agriculture. • Transparent Weighting and Funding: Provide clear and transparent explanations for any changes in the weighting of indicators, addressing concerns raised by countries like India. • Engage in consultations with stakeholders, including government representatives and experts, to ensure that the weighting of indicators aligns with global priorities and national contexts. Conclusion: Gaining access to a wider range of materials and improving our economy shouldn’t come at the expense of balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. We must remember that our origins are rooted in Nature, and it’s essential to reconnect with it. Our conscious and unconscious choices should align with the natural systems that sustain life on Earth. Therefore, the global movement for climate change must respect sovereign choices and economic needs, while also emphasizing individual actions—what we call ‘LiFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment). References: 1. UN Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm 1972. 2. Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), December 11, 1997. 3. UN Climate Change Conference (Paris) August, 2017. 4. Climate change 2024 - International Protocols for Fighting Climate Change in 2024. 5. Sengupta Ramprasad (2001), ‘Ecology and Economics: An Approach to Sustainable Development’, Oxford University Press, India. 6. Prakash, H. et al (2005), ‘Environment and Sustainable Development’, Southern Economist, 43(21). 7. Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024. 8. Economic Survey 2023-24, Chapter: 13 – Climate Change And India: Why We Must Look At The Problem Through Our Lense.