The recently concluded Copenhagen summit may not have met with all the expectations, but it has ignited the minds of all in thinking about the Earth. The Hollywood movie “2012” graphically presented the vision of total destruction, if and when it happens. Whether or not every one of us is responsible for bringing such devastating effect on the earth, each one of us is going to be affected. Hence, each one of us carries responsibility of saving the earth.
It has now been established that our rampant use of the limited natural resources is the major cause of such dreadful future of the earth. Our lives today are controlled by a variety of gadgets, such as cars, computers, iPhones, Blackberries, Nanos, etc. Further, we change them faster than our clothes. Production and disposal of these gadgets add much more green-house gas and carbon to the atmosphere than while we simply use them. Therefore, the longer we use a gadget; the cleaner will be our environment.
I remember from my childhood in 1960’s when people used to buy a product with an eye on its longevity, besides its fitness-for-use. It used to be a matter of pride to keep using a product for a long time, often attached with some sentimental values. Those who could afford foreign stuff almost always preferred ‘Made in Germany’ over other makes mainly because of their longevity. Then, Japan entered the market subtly through the toy industry offering cheap and attractive toys which didn’t last long. Soon this trend covered other products. Recently while discussing this topic, a colleague coined the phrase “planned and perceived obsolescence”. In the last two decades or so, manufacturers have started planning fast obsolescence in the design of their products. Simultaneously, clever marketing has created a perception of quick obsolescence in the minds of consumers. Consequently, the consumers, especially the younger lot, cannot think of using the same product beyond a short time period.
We need to question this trend of fast disposable products – especially those whose production and disposal harms the environment. We need to look into our ‘needs’ more than our ‘greeds’. Mahatma Gandhi has rightly said, “Earth has plenty to satisfy everyone’s needs. But it cannot fulfil the greeds of even a few.”
8 comments:
Brilliant article Sir..
Around 10 years back when an assembled Pentium 1 Computer was selling for Dhs 4500 , people bought the computer and used it for 4 years at the minimum.Today a new assembled computer is purchased for less than a 1000 Dhs. When I bought my first computer it had 4 MB Ram, and that was considered to be the standard , for x386, and it was good enough to work in any environment. Today 4 GB Ram is common place and the demands for memory are growing. We really need to see if increase in computing power has really increased productivity.Do we really need it? And if yes what are we using it for. Dont we have alternatives.
The manufacturers have got into a vicious chain of reducing prices but selling more.
They would never tread the rope of increasing prices and work on their quality because the are scared that they would lose out on the competition. This is a maddening race which is taking no one no where, and unfortunately everyone knows what they are doing. Lose of profits = loss of jobs , and unfortunately everyone is so self centric that no one is questioning the wrong because it protects their job. No one makes noise because it affects their economy. At the end the more we delay the more we are losing out on the right decision.
Unless the world decides that enough is enough, starts imposing tougher duties unanimously on electronic equipment, and makes 5 years of warranty the norm , prices can not go up. And unless prices go up I dont see this trend reversing. Unless it doesnt pinch your pocket you will not care about the environment. In the 1960 the cost of the radio may not have been more than 50 Rs but this was still a significant amount in most house holds. The reverence and affection was also based on the hard earned money of the father. Past times were few. Not only was owing a radio a past time but also a sense of pride for the family.
Today having the best of gadgets at home dont invoke any sense of belongingness in us because we know they will be obsolete soon , and they dont cost much. People want to have the latest gadgets, without even using 1/10th of the features they need. It is maddening.
With a newer model of Playstation out every 3 years , with a new game releasing every month, it is not possible that we can expect the children to associate themselves with attachment or taking value in what they have. Use and throw is the norm , and we are living with it, whether we like it or not. And unfortuntely a child is caught with society around him and it is for the schools to build this in their education system
Hi Raj
Thanks for sharing; were out of touch for a while. It is a very valid and powerful view point. However in a capitalistic, spending oriented, free market driven economy its practical implementation could be challenged or be challenging unless certain fundamentals are changed. Don’t forget, we all in India grew under a socialistic, savings oriented, controlled and under developed economy and had developed a mindset accordingly.
Anyway it always makes good sense to share views & thoughts
Raj,
Very well put.
Well written but I tend to disagree with this idea. We are just about to savour our material success and the developed countries have put the onus on us and China of repairing the damage done due to carbon emmision. They have proved to be the biggest polluters of the this world. This is one way of curtailing our progress. Their average birth rate is declining. Today India has the youngest population avg. age of 24 yrs. followed by China, of 30 yrs, USA of 36 yrs and Europe between 43 and 46 (Italy)yrs. Very soon retirees will outnumber active workers 2:1 in Italy. As Manmohan said," let them set the example"
Dear Raj,
Read the piece and agree fully. Nothing will change until we start talking and thinking as global citizen. This is a problem for the whole planet. It should be addressed on a global basis. That is not happening. Nations are just pointing fingers at each other. Individually, we have to become the change we want to see. If you look around yourself you will find that we all like to talk, but do not form a part of the movement to correct these imbalances. Conspicuous consumption and wasteful living is very prevelant in the region you are, as it is among the better off in all countries (including India). I am appalled at what I see of this in Bombay where the contrast is so stark.
Will we wake up to reality in time? God alone knows.
Rightly said Copenhagen submit though did not get through
But the Message has gone throughout the world
By adding Mahatma Ghandi's thoughts it was like icing on
Cake in your writing
Keep it up and keep going Raj
Very true and well put.
Keep it going with your indomitable spirit.
Very thought provoking and well written. Thanks for sharing uncle. Sadly the rate at which we are realizing is not enough to undo the deterioration to our surroundings.
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