Author: Amita Raj
Living a sustainable life might seem to many of us an overpowering path to pursue.
That feverish goal of going green, consuming what’s green, being in a mad race to fight the impossible effects of pollution and living solely to sustain this earth and its future might discourage us from even thinking about it all.
Perhaps we see action as something better suited to environmentalists.
However in my view, we’re far more intimately connected with our earth than we often consciously even realise, enjoying not only its natural and spiritual beauty, but also its health giving qualities. Naturally we also suffer the ill-effects of global warming, excessive rainstorms and polluted air.
Our constantly torn down trees, automobile fumes and other forms of pollution have ravaged our beautiful planet.
So in my view regardless of our backgrounds, in addition to the work of activists, it is possible for each of us to take small steps, our personal footprints towards improving our earth. Here are a few simple steps I suggest among so many:
Firstly, one could plant a tree or two in one’s backyard or neighbourhood and be responsible for taking care of it. Each tree that grows adds to a cooler environment and converts carbon-di-oxide to our much needed oxygen. Trees also reduce erosion and pollution in our waterways and the ill-effects of flooding.
Forming support groups that meet regularly and work towards tree planting in neighbourhoods would also make this goal achievable.
Furthermore when shopping, one could buy recycled paper and reuse old bags, not buy fresh paper bags as a step to reduce tearing down trees for paper.
Sustainability could also be exercised in group efforts towards cleaning up one’s neighbourhood.
Scattered garbage could be collected and deposited in one spot so that it can be responsibly disposed of.
Next, one can easily recycle cans and bottles and deposit them in recycling bins. Finally, using public transportation or carpooling, walking or riding a bicycle would help greatly reduce pollution from poisonous automobile fumes.
These are some of the many steps we could take. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” said a wise man. Why not then take a few steps, leaving our loving footprints in sustaining our life-giving earth?
About the Author
Amita Raj has always loved creating imaginatively rich stories through the melody and colours of language.
Her writing talent was sparked off in her childhood at age eight in a classroom assignment where she wrote the autobiography of a pen. Since then, she has been enchanted with writing, also reading and enjoying the works of Rabindranath Tagore, Satyajit Ray, Shakespeare and Edgar Allan Poe.
She has been a contributing writer to Deccan Herald, India Currents, Twist&Twain magazine, and of late regularly to Story Scrapers, ArtoonsInn Poetry Parlour and Soul Craft.
She looks forward to her ongoing lyrical journey, writing and sharing with the world many more of her short stories, poems and novellas.
Great, meaningful blog