It was Eckhart Tolle who said, “you are the universe, you aren’t in the universe”. You will agree with me that we (as humankind) have the sole responsibility to preserve, safeguard and conserve the natural resources in our custody and care. Over the years, several factors have influenced the earth adversely. These factors include politics, manufacturing industry, technology, industrialisation, Globalisation and so on.
The Green Phenomenon
“Green” informally means to restore vitality. And so, the Green theory in my words refers to any activity that deliberately perpetrates the conservation, preservation, and protection of the earth’s environmental resources in line with Ecosystem.
Hugh Dyer in an article published on January 7, 2018 wrote and I quote, “Ecological thought addresses the interests of nature itself rather than only the interests of humanity in nature. Green theory captures this orientation in political terms of value and agency (Goodin 1992) – what is to be valued, by whom and how to get it. Green theory belongs to the critical theory tradition, in the sense that environmental issues evoke questions about relations between and among us and others in the context of community and collective decision-making”.
In the 1960’s, the concern on the dilapidating earth’s resources reached an alarming stage thus, (referred to as the “tragedy of the commons”- Which is the idea that humans will abuse shared resources such as land, Fresh water and Fish). In 1970, the first United Nations Conference on the subject was held. By the 1980’s, Green political parties emerged; to recognise the need to protect and safeguard the world’s environmental resources. This saw a new wave of “ECO friendly” inventions, theories and political parties. “ECO – friendly” simply means not harmful to the environment or pro-environment.
Common Practices for this cause
Technology: has been seen to take a lead. With the adoption of “paperless” practices, people are inclined to operate and work with mostly software and avoid hard copy print out unless there are no other options. Computer scientists, (Programmers to be exact), are taking centre stage by developing software to imitate and translate the manual process/routines that require hard copy into software applications. In this regard, there has been an increased demand for the creation of Document Management Systems (DMS).
Deforestation bans: This directly feeds into the “paperless” movement. Several countries and jurisdictions around the world continue to put in stringent measures to ensure that the wildlife is conserved by coming up with Authorities that are tasked to safeguard these natural resources. Heavily finning those found wanting (for chopping down trees) for personal/ business gains, is also a deterrent measure being practiced. For example, in Zambia, we have the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) and Zambia Wildlife Authority ZAWA whose (part of) mandate is to conserve and protect the natural resources in the country.
The manufacturing industry: especially the automobile business, has taken advantage of this; to safeguard the environment. 20th century through to 21st Century motor vehicle engines are being designed in a way that mitigates the emission of Carbon monoxide into the environment thus, playing a pivitol role for this cause.
The wake-up call
Recently, we saw the birth of a scourge sweeping and ravaging the face of this earth. A virus, in the corona family named, Novel Coronavirus (COVID–19). It was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation on March 11, 2020. Consequently, this saw a global lock down of business activities only leaving essential services including water, electricity, health services, Police, fire, and grocery stores.
According to Newsweek, 93% of countries around the world have since imposed a “lockdown” which translates into no or few business activities going on as people are being advised to stay home.
This has in turn given Life to the Ecology system/ environment. If people are implored to stay home, people are not driving motor vehicles, not flying, Manufacturing activities slowed down, there is little, or no pollution being emitted in the environment across the globe.
According to Global News, Ecology and environmental specialists are feeling optimistic about the restoration and repair of the ozone layer which ultimately translates to a reduced global warming rate. It was stated that a hole in the ozone layer was seen to start to self-repair amid the Corona virus pandemic.
The KIRO7 News channel disclosed that two weeks into lockdown in India, some residents have been able to see the Himalaya Mountains from their city for the first time since the 2nd world war!
This is mindblowing and simultaneously brings about some sober contemplation on how we (as mankind) easily take things for granted; also, a realisation on how much more we are polluting our environment every single day!
Conclusion
It was also Pope John Paul II who said, and I quote “The earth will continue to offer it’s harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by the future generations.”
The world’s hope for a better environment for generations to come has been restored amid the novel Coronavirus as we have seen. The prevalent situation is indirectly pushing “Green” agenda forward.
You’ll agree with me that the Coronavirus pandemic has shown us that we are not doing much in the quest to preserve, conserve our Ecology system and promote the “Green” movement and agenda. The truth is, we have one earth and one Earth only. It is the responsibility of every citizen of this planet to take care of the resources in our custody by deliberately and intentionally mitigating on those activities that pollute and deplete our clean environment.
Chilombo Katongo holds a bachelor’s in Science (Computer Science) and is currently an IT consultant at KPMG in Zambia and a member of the ICT Association of Zambia (ICTAZ). The views expressed in this article are his own and not necessarily those of KPMG. |
References
https://www.e-ir.info/2018/01/07/green-theory-in-international-relations/