A race to save lives

Xin Yun
Meridian Junior College
Singapore

We have limited resources yet possess unlimited wants and needs at the same time. We need oil for our transport, animals and plants for food and clean air and water to sustain our lives. Very often, we have sacrificed the environment to make way for our economic progress. Humanity's current predatory relationship with nature reflects a human-centered worldview that has evolved over the ages ('Earth' 3). According to Mark Malloch Brown, administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), 'the key now is to put people first and the environment second, but also to remember that when you exhaust resources, you destroy people' ('Challenges' 1). The environment has become merely a tool to fulfill our countless demands and people have failed to see how global resources usage is closely linked to environmental sustainability. Geologist Preston Cloud argues that, 'mother Earth will never seem the same again. No more can thinking people take this little planet […] as an infinite theatre of action and provider of resources for man, yielding new largesse to every demand without limit' ('Earth' 4).

There are numerous reasons that cause the depletion of our precious global resources, but they all boil down to one thing: economic advancement. The very sign of homo sapiens' success could also cause the Earth's downfall. In the name of progress, there are more and more resource-intensive factories where poisonous gases are emitted, rivers and lakes have been contaminated with chemicals, and industrial waste has been irresponsibly disposed of. Also, to make way for new economic development, much land-clearing activity has been carried out. The United Nations (UN) estimates that an additional 5.9 million sq km (2.3 million sq. mi.) of land will have to be turned over to farming, roads and urban uses ('Summit' 1). These land-clearing activities not only contribute to air pollution, but much of the resources, such as plants of medicinal value, could be lost forever. In addition to this, there is also the issue of air pollution. Countries like Indonesia and Brazil torched their forests to clear land, thus creating smog. This smog effect is not only limited to their home country; it affects neighbouring countries, as well. In September 2006, the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading in Singapore hit a record high of 66, due to the smog effect from the torching of forests in Indonesia.

According to Ecclesiastes 1:4, 'One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the Earth abideth forever'. However, according to Time statistics, the Earth will probably last another four billion to five billion years. But, as the world becomes more industrialised, the estimated number of years may be even shorter. Currently, the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has already caused the Earth's average temperature to rise by three to nine degrees, thus causing the melting of ice caps. This, in turn, causes sea levels to rise, flooding coastal areas and leaving millions homeless in Asia. Therefore, for future generations and ourselves, conservation of resources must start now.

As individuals, we can also do our bit for the Earth. We can start by reducing our use of electricity and water. As only about 0.014% of the Earth's surface is useable water ('Global' 1), it is a very precious resource. In addition, we can embark on the journey of reducing, reusing and recycling of unwanted things at home. Every tonne of iron that is recycled not only replaces a tonne that would have been mined but also avoids the creation of several tonnes of mine tailings, as well as ore-processing wastes ('Material' 1). Also, we can support the cause by purchasing environmentally friendly products, such as AZONE paper products. To take one step further, one can become an environmental activist, rallying people to be more actively involved in saving the planet. For example, Ken Noguchi, a member of Japan's environmental group (Fujisan Club) promoted clean-up projects at Mount Fuji and Mount Everest ('Mountain') and Tisna Nando has inspired residents to live in greater harmony with their surroundings and to do their bit for the environment ('Lost'). However, no person can be an island. We need to work together as a team, in order to achieve more. To embark on larger scale environmental projects, we would need more funding.

Understanding that individuals may not have the kind of influence that the government has over a country, it is therefore important that, in order for nationwide environmental conservation, the government gets involved in this race to save resources. In Kitakyushu (Japan), the government passed regulations where companies had to cut their sulphur dioxide emissions by 20 to 40 per cent. This has helped the country to enjoy better air quality. Also, in Hong Kong, the government has restricted the use of private transport on high-pollution days and has been strongly encouraging the use of low-sulphur fuels. However, for anti-pollution laws to be more efficient, fines must also be used. In Singapore, there will be a $50,000 fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both ('Offences' 1) for illegally dumping waste.

Alternatively, the government can take a softer approach in combating the problems of rapid depletion of global resources. Educating the public may be a possible method. By educating people about the importance of saving resources and living in greater harmony with the environment, people may be more devoted to do their bit for the environment. However, this may not be the most effective method of all. Campaigns and posters may fall on deaf ears if people are not concerned at all.

However, the task of saving resources cannot fall on just one or a few countries. According to Mostafa Tolba, the executive director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), 'addressing the global environmental crisis requires nothing less than a radical change in the conduct of world policy and the world economy'. Indeed, it is a global effort to save resources, protect the planet, and save ourselves and future generations to come. The industrialised nations must therefore persuade the Third World to embrace the goal of sustainable development, which is economic growth that relies only on renewable resources and does not permanently damage the environment. But the debt-burdened developing nations cannot be expected to do so without an enormous influx of funds and technology ('Endangered' 2). Alternatively, as Time magazine has suggested that, 'Foreign debt of Third World countries would be swapped for tropical forests' ('Campaign' 4). These poorer countries often have to sacrifice their environment and resources in order to supply them to the richer countries for more national income.

Perhaps to poor countries, saving the environment is never an option. For example, India has been involved in a great deal of deforestation activities in order to supply wood products to China. The Indians never have a choice, as this huge amount of income from China is necessary for them to rebuild their economy and their lives. In my opinion, the World Bank's Environment Department can come up with rewards for countries, which have been actively involved in the protection of the environment. This will encourage and motivate these poorer countries to do their bit for the environment. However, global organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund for Nature and the EnviroLink Network do face limitations as well. As their members cannot possibly be in all corners of the Earth, it is impossible for them to monitor the environmental conditions of every country.

All in all, it is not only about saving the resources; it is a race to save the planet Earth. And this requires each and every one of us to do our very best. For ourselves and the generations to come, the race ought to start now.

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