ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Module 5. Environmental pollution

Lesson 19
ROLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL IN PREVENTION OF POLLUTION

19.1 Introduction

Environment protection has been burning issue in last half century. In order to tackle the menace of pollution, urgent steps have to be taken at not only global or country level, but also at local level. In fact, the role of individuals in prevention of pollution is of critical importance, because it is the individuals that make a community or country. Effort by each individual at his or her level can have a significant effect on global level. It has been aptly said “charity begins at home”.

Aware and inspired individuals are strongest tool to tackle pollution. This is because an aware individual not only lessens the burden on state but also he/she can tackle problem of pollution more effectively as he/she is more familiar with problems persisting at local level and he himself/herself deals with them in his/her day to day life. It is better and more viable to prevent pollution by educating individuals than controlling pollution. Individuals should encourage to modify their lifestyle and living habits if that are not healthy for environment.

19.2 Ways in Which a Individual can Help in Prevention of Pollution

• Individuals should minimize wastage of resources such as electricity. Every unit of electricity saved is equivalent unit of electricity produced as it not only saves the fuel that would be used to produce that electricity, but also help to prevent pollution that is accompanied by burning of that fuel. Therefore, person should always switch off appliances when not in use.
• Individuals should prefer walking or use cycles instead of using motor vehicles, especially when distances to be travelled are small.
• Individuals can make considerable contribution by using mass transport (buses, trains, etc) instead of using personal vehicles.
• When going to workplace, colleagues from nearby localities should pool vehicles instead of going in individual personal vehicles.
• Taking personal vehicles for periodic pollution checks at centres approved by authorities.
• Individuals should reuse items whenever possible.
• Products that are made of recycled material should be given preference.
• Use gunny bags made of jute instead of plastic bags.
• Take part in environment conservation drives such as tree planting drives.
• Use water resources efficiently.
• Use renewable resources by installing equipment such as solar heaters and using solar cookers.
• Dispose potentially harmful products such as cells, batteries, pesticide containers, etc properly.
• Use of refrigerators should be minimised wherever possible as they are main source of CFC, which is responsible for Ozone layer depletion.
• Follow and promote family planning, as more population means more resources utilized and more resources utilized imply more pollution.
• Avoid making noise producing activities such as listening to loud music.
• Use handkerchiefs instead of paper tissues.
• Organize drives to clean streets and clean drains with help of other people of locality.
• Spread awareness and inspire other people to prevent pollution. Individuals should be encouraged to acquire information and innovations from world over and implement them locally.