Celebrated across the world as World Environment Day, 5 June helps to generate awareness about how to keep ourselves and our future protected. Started since 1974, it is a day for worldwide environment service. Pollution and resultant global warming is increasingly affecting the natural setting. The United Nations through seminars and conference has adopted this flagship campaign – Go Green, Go Better.

From the days of industrialisation in Europe which spread like sparks of fire all over the world, slowly but steadily, pollution poses a potential threat to existence of life. The dark clouds of toxic gases from the chimneys of factories now loom over the world.

Unplanned and unscientific urbanisation, industrialisation, growth of e-waste, widening of roads have curbed forest lands. It has been surveyed that Green Lungs like Amazon, Selva are shrinking; glaciers are melting and level of ground water is decreasing, Water bodies are being disappearing. Excavation of crude oil from marine basis offer proves to be fatal to marine creatures, Increase of population at an alarming rate and, consequently, pressing need for food, drink and shelter are destroying bio- diversities. Many species of animals, birds and plants have vanished and more are on the verge of extinction, still our civilisation is hungry. Truly, nature can fulfill our needs but not our greed.

Plastic appears to be another hydra headed monster. We often say that global warming can destroy this planet, but actually it can vandalise the existence of life, not the planet. Are we advancing towards Nemesis? Will this blue planet turn lifeless?

Modernisation doesn’t mean wiping out green or thoughtless burning of fossil fuel. Rather, it refers to smart cities where we can lead an eco-friendly life, utilise renewable energies, in brief, Inclusive and Sustainable Development.

We need to bring positive attitudinal changes and honest attempts to promote eco-friendly developments. Let’s make each and every day of a year an Environment day, only then, the great purpose of this day will be fulfilled.

Coordinator, Class VIII, Bongaon High School