An Inconvenient Truth .. the after-effects

In the past few weeks, a lot has been said, written and broadcast about the documentary 'An Incovenient Truth' by Al Gore, global warming, its impact and just about anything that's even remotely related with the subject. I haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but am familiar with what is it about. I heard about it the first time from my friend RT, who also made a comment at the end that people who are preaching about are also the ones who are responsible for discharging most of the carbon-monoxide, industrial waste etc into our environmen.

Well, I tend to agree with him on this, but I think we have reached a state that all of us should make a conscious effort towards contributing to conserving natural resources. However small that effort may seem, but if done by even half the population of the earth (I know, it's an overly optimistic estimate!) will make a significant difference. At home and office, we can start with switching off our lights, fans, computer monitors etc whenever we don't need them or are stepping away from our desks - even for 5 minutes. Thanks Ma & Pa for introducing this good habit to me when I was growing up!

Next comes saving paper, which eventually saves so many trees from being felled. I feel a sense of proud in admitting that in the past 3 months I have printed not more than 10 sheets of paper. I have asked my team at work also to print as less as possible. Each tree saved goes a long way in saving our planet Earth. As I was discussing with friend SK, paper wasteage is a lot higher in developed countries than in developing ones. For example, in the US paper is used for all the cleaning (toilet, kitchen - almost everywhere) whereas in India, all the things are cleaned with clothes, which in turn get washed and reused. In a way, we are unknowingly contributing towards conserving our environment.

Saving water is equally important. I keep reading how a small leaking tap wastes gallons of water in a day! I remember when I lived in New York city in 2002/2003 and there was a water-shortage in the city for a couple of months, fines were imposed on people who were found wasting water - like washing cars, watering their lawns. I won't be surprside if this will become a common practice some years down the line across all countries/cities.

I wish if each one of us makes an effort, however small to curb wateage of natural resources, we could make the earth a much better planet to be inherited by our next generations!