Environmental Change and Its Protection - Essay Example

Environmental Change and its Protection number Environmental Change and its Protection Cleaning up the environment requires a lot of effort, much more than what is being put in to this field at this point of time. The governments of most countries have woken up to the necessity of protecting the environment by now. However, many of them, under pressure from industrial powers on whom are dependent the growth figures of the nation’s economy, are reluctant to take concrete steps that would enable rapid growth in environmental conservation. There are organizations in most countries that operate on a non-profit basis for the betterment of various elements of the earth. Progress on this front, is however, often slow as funds are mostly limited. This paper shall look at how people can make a difference in their own homes and in school. These two areas are inter-linked and what one learns at school is essentially what one also seeks to implement at home and vice-versa. As children need to be trained regarding the protection of the environment, it is important that what is done in these two places and what can be done in these two places is analysed and changes proposed. In most homes, while children go to school, they are provided with lunches in brown bags. This is a potential area for change and the paper that is saved when one takes the number of bags that children all over the United States of America take to school into account. What, one may ask, is the alternative to sending such packaged meals? The answer lies in reusable containers that would not require more and more paper to be consumed. This would result in the reusing of certain elements and would also prevent the cutting down of trees that happen so as to create the paper bags that are used to package lunches. To make such activities more entertaining for the children, it may be useful to create reusable boxes that are more colorful and presentable. These boxes would also help prevent children from having to carry packaged fruit which can then be placed within the box. This is also a healthier option as far as dietary habits are concerned (Younes, 2012). In many schools, obsolete materials are allowed to lie around the premises. Disposal of this waste would be the first step towards creating a clean and environment-friendly society. This would require infrastructure that would enable a quick and efficient disposal of such material that would not be very costly for the person who disposes of it. Incentives may be offered to the school or society that seeks to dispose of its waste in such a manner. Such incentives would keep the schools and societies on the lookout for opportunities for funds from the government or agencies that may then channel the resource in a commercially viable manner. The materials that are collected can be recycled and they can be sold back into the community leading to more funds for an industry that could be dependent on saving the environment. Recycling is also at this point of time in history, in the United States of America, an aspect of the society that is funded and accepted by the state as an area of priority. This makes the use of the elements of the environment in a sustainable way easier for the common man as he or she is aware of the fact that they have a partner who is willing to share the load financially. The support that the government of America provides for the movement is financial and also moral. It is also bureaucratic in so much so that it enables a quick transition from the stage of idea to that of reality (Obama, 2010). For instance, the idea that has been discussed in this paper, that of the transition to reusable boxes that lunch can be carried in to school from paper bags can be quickened up through legislative intervention. For instance, the rates of paper bags can be increased while the taxes on reusable goods can be reduced. Apart from this, incentives can be offered to areas that record a large increase in the amount that they have recycled. All these efforts can be vital in the creation of a society that is aware of the need for the conservation of the environment. There may also be problems with the efforts that are underway or in the planning stage as far as their efficiency and their viability is concerned. These aspects have o be thought out since the balance of nature is a very delicate one. As a result, one needs to look at the likely pitfalls in the programs that are planned. In this context, one can look at the water that is necessary for the cleaning of reusable products and analyse whether it is viable for such a lot of water to be produced at a commercial level. Not every activity that is undertaken for the benefit of the environment needs to be profitable. It is here that the government has to pitch in with monetary aid. There is also a need for awareness that is brought about by various organizations. These programs can then be beneficial for the local community by creating jobs. People who may otherwise find it difficult to procure jobs may be able to find them as a result of these programs. For instance, in certain programs that are aimed at the benefit of the environment, differentially abled people are recruited. This not only increases the number of the jobs in the area but also sends positive signals within the community as far as the benefits of the program are concerned (Perry, 2012). To bring the community together is what the aim of these programs should be as it would enable an understanding of the universal nature of the goals of environment conservation. To understand the different areas of the working of the school such as the use of water and electricity is something that can contribute to a reduction of the use of valuable natural resources. To not waste food and water and to switch off lights are basic actions that can lead to great results in terms of what can be saved at the level of the community. Solar power panels can be installed to utilise one of the best forms of renewable energy. Initiatives can be taken such as awareness dives that make people understand the magnitude of the problem that the earth and the people who live on it are faced with. These awareness campaigns and drives would cost a lot of money. However, it also needs to be said that they would be worth the effort and the money as they would bring in more than the expenditure. Schoolchildren can be roped in to conduct these as part of school projects that would help in the inculcation of healthy habits during schooldays. Making the conservation of the environment a part of the school curriculum in a greater way would also promote greener habits among children and their parents. The habits that one learns at school are likely to stay with one for a long time. They also find their way into the lifestyles of the parents of the children. More in-depth studies are required into the ways in which the aspects of environment conservation can be dealt with at the level of the school and the community. Since both these areas are inter-related, it is important to find the ways in which they can be connected as well for the betterment of the society. References Obama, Barack. (2010). “Presidential Proclamation--America Recycles Day”. From The White House online. Retrieved 29th August, 2012, from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/11/15/presidential-proclamation-america-recycles-day Perry, Kelsey. (2012). “E-Waste Recycling Program Employs Disabled Americans”. From Earth911.com online. Retrieved 29th August, 2012, from http://earth911.com/news/2012/08/27/the-arc-explore-erecycling-program/ Younes, Lina. (2012). “Make School Lunches Healthy and Green”. From EPA online. Retrieved 29th August, 2012, from http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2012/08/school-lunches/ Read More