Take action now to save our Earth

THE road to achieving harmony with nature sounds like a long one but it must be travelled. That’s because we need to achieve a balance between nature, economics, social environment and the needs of the present and future generations.

Earth Day, celebrated by 193 countries annually, is dedicated to providing information and inspiration needed to end plastic pollution. Any form of pollution and harm to the planet must be checked and curtailed.

Environmental education among the young in schools is very important to raise awareness among our young warriors about protecting planet Earth. We need to teach them to do more things for the environment like Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3Rs), taking public transport, turning off lights and appliances when not in use, turning up air conditioner temperatures, using less water and eating less meat.

Today we face problems of climate change and global warming, issues which we cannot deny having contributed to in many ways. Increasing deforestation with fewer tree-planting activities and aggressive development with little care for landslides have all contributed to the situation. We continue to exploit the environment with hardly a thought for the wellbeing of future generations.

We need to double our efforts to keep drains and other waterways clean. We should encourage activities like reducing the use of plastic bags, having rooftop gardens, growing herbs and vegetables, and rainwater harvesting.

The Cabinet has approved the setting up of “green neighbourhoods” and “low-carbon cities”, which are commendable measures and demonstrate our commitment to reduce the national carbon footprint by 40% by 2020.

Let us all walk the talk here. Promote the practice of the 3Rs as well as provide cycling and walking paths, which are basic steps to achieving these targets. Please save the environment and not destroy it.