Twin Goals Please....

World Environment Day 

June 5, 2021

(Dr.M.Devasena)

Twin goals Please….

Do we still hold World Environment Day and Sustainable Development Goals as our priority? May be not. We are only holding our breath to stay safe.

Certainly during the lockdown times, we witnessed improvement in air and surface water quality, reduced road traffic, critically endangered Dolphins were spotted back in the Ganga River, flamingos gathered in the city of Mumbai, Olive Ridley Turtles were seen on the shores of Rushikuliya in Orissa and mountain goats starting roaming freely in North Wales. Also, radical changes were brought even in our own life style.

Now, don’t just jump to conclusions… Post lockdown and post pandemic, we will go back to our old style. Consumption would increase, industries would compete, Government interventions would aim for accelerating the economy, we will consume more and more and give the fragile Environment the least thought. We will forget the carrying capacity of nature when the economy grows back.

Plastics which were considered as polluters have become protectors now. Apple designed plastic face shields for medical professionals, Ferrari produced thermoplastic components for respiratory valves, food deliveries with disposable receptacles have become common a common sight and single use plastics have resurfaced. Recycling plants are shut and these single use plastics are now channelled directly towards dumpyards. Sustainability practices take a backtrack during such crisis. Nevertheless, the way we deal with the pandemic currently is at the expense of our environment.

Currently, we stand at the intersection of two diverging paths. One is to witness more plastic than fish in the ocean and other is a resilient model of living and working taking us to a healthier future. Time to have our rose-tinted glasses and look at the society with our new theme Recreate Reimagine Restore

• Design a system that works with nature
• Reimagine a relationship between humans and natural resources.
• Reinvest the surplus and share the abundance
• Recreate-Design for Disassembly in manufacturing or construction
• Adopt circular principles
• Avoid panic buying and practice minimalism
• Embrace Environment 
• Adopt regenerative agriculture
• Have twin goals: Fight off the virus and Restore the environment

If it can’t be reduced, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production  – Peter Seeger