Technology has advanced in the last 100 years to give us TV, satellites, walking on the moon, instant communication through WhatsApp, Twitter, social media etc. However, there is a necessity to take action in the short and long term for the survival of civilisation as we know it.
Although the general population is aware that the future looks bleak, the causes are not immediately apparent to the common man. To address this, 17 sustainability goals have been defined by the UN for the countries to make the planet liveable.
While scientists, environmentalists, and climate activists across the world have been warning about global warming and climate change for the last few years. While the focus has always been to spread awareness about the issues and promote sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle choices, a major problem is often kept away from the limelight.
If we are to sustain our lifestyle, then people need to realize that most environmental problems can be attributed to a single cause, namely overpopulation.
Today we are talking about sustainability and the topics being debated are high population, climate change, plastic, biodiversity, vanishing glaciers, forest etc.
A report by the United Nation on Population estimates that the world population will reach 8.5 billion by 2030. That is an increase of almost 1 billion in the next 10 years.
To bring this global problem into the spotlight, Mobius Foundation has launched a new initiative ‘Mission Sustainability: Population VS Planet’ in partnership with Zee Media. Through this year-long program, we will start nationwide discussions on the root cause of all environmental crisis: Human Population Explosion.
In a country like India that houses more than 17.7% of the world population, the pressure on our natural resources is extensive. To satisfy the needs of our amplified population, cases of deforestation have increased in India. An example of the same is the Aarey forest in Mumbai where 2,500 trees were cut for a metro project.
And this is just one of several examples.
Today, the rising population has resulted in overconsumption, a surge in the use of plastic, swelling of waste landfills, and destruction of wildlife habitat. And these will be further exacerbated in the next few years.
In face of the COVID-19 pandemic, greater awareness has to be created. There are other aspects that need to be highlighted as well. Such as:
- Housing
- Jobs
- Poverty
- Air Pollution
- Biodiversity and Renewable Resources
- Water Pollution
- Waste Generation
- Over Consumption (Waste)
- Agriculture
- Energy and non-renewables
- Climate Change
The earth’s resources are limited. While each one of us is concerned with our daily needs of food, clothes, shelter, etc., we forget the fact that to sustain this lifestyle we need less people to share the resources with.
Stabilising this soaring population will require decades of efforts to see an impact. However, there are various actions we can undertake to start the process today. Starting with the use of clean energy, reduction of waste and recycling everything.
We have taken the challenge to deliver this message within one year and create general awareness to control the rising population.
Join us for a serious conversation on the most important issue on this planet!
Only on : Mission Sustainability on WION
संभलना जरूरी है : जनसंख्या बनाम प्रकृति On Zee News