On World Environment Day, let's pledge to make this world a better place to live

Planet Earth is beautiful. While the world is prone to various natural disasters like flood, drought, desertification, cyclone, earthquake, landslide, forest-fire, pest-attack, epidemic, etc. Environmental degradation, including climate-change, land-use changes and natural resource degradation are aggravating disaster occurrences and impacts. To prevent environmental degradation and its adverse impact on human beings, it is necessary that society is made aware. Taking into consideration, every year World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on 5 June to raise global awareness to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth. As citizens, it’s time we become mature, responsible and protect Mother Nature, before things go really out of hand and the human species meets its end. Time is ticking, let’s work together and make this world a better place to live. Few television actors spoke to us and via this platform helped generate awareness on the issue. Said Shaheer Sheikh, “I make sure I do not dirty my environment and dump the waste where it is supposed to be dumped. Also, I try riding a bicycle to my workplace whenever possible to reduce the amount of pollution. We need to understand that if the present scenario is so bad, it is going to be worse for our kids. We are not only harming ourselves but also the animals and mammals which are almost extinct now along with the rivers and oceans.” Talking about the theme the World Environment Day has adopted this year, ‘Raise your voice not the sea level, we have Asha Negi putting some light about how it is important to save water and increase the greenery around us. She expressed, “Looking at the increase in global warming, I think it is very important to conserve our natural resources. Every year during Holi we talk about playing dry Holi and it’s high time we take a number of things like these into consideration. India, is considered as one of the dirtiest countries in the world and it is high time we start working towards its improvement and make India a better place to live in.” Added her better half Rithvik Dhanjani, “Today, I feel we are trying to convert our natural habitat into a concrete jungle. People need to understand that we need space to breathe and plantation leads to a healthy and longer life. There should be strict regulations against deforestation and we should start planting more trees. Most of the jungles are being bought over by multi-national companies and it would not be long when Earth’s view from space would look like a one made of cement and not resources. I would request people not to kill plantations and trees and plant more for the benefit of our nation and the world.” Another major factor which probably we all face on a daily basis causing diseases is pollution. Debina Bonnerjee raised her concerns stating, “The environment needs us as much as we do and with the increasing pollution levels, I can only say that we are directly killing ourselves. We leave it on the government to take effect, but what we forget is that initiative starts at home. It is sad that people do not understand this fact. What are we leaving for the next generation to breathe? I feel shaken to even think about it.” In an attempt to convey a message to start changing the way we think about water, pollution, deforestation and promoting more greenery to make the world a better place to live in, some celebrities gave some tips on the same. Commented Srishty Rode, “It is something we all know but hardly follow. Planting trees, saving electricity, not polluting the roads is something very basic. I know of how people keep the tap on even while they brush their teeth and when there is no water supply, the same people crib. We need to understand the importance of all the environmental habitats and take necessary action towards it. “ “I think what the major concerns are today is known to everybody but apart from that I feel all infrastructures should use solar panels. This trend has started in Bangalore and I am sure it will help us conserve a lot of our resources. Also, a land should be designated in every area for growing greens. To reduce emission of green gases the public transport facilities should be enhanced so that more people prefer travelling by it. I do not know how much of this would be possible but with Mr. Modi as the PM, I am very hopeful of changes which will benefit us and our environment,” added the talented Arjun Bijlani. Climate change amongst other problems can only be tackled at a global level and chief responsibility lies within us. Let us pledge to make this world a brighter, greener and better place to live in!!!