Human activities have never been friendly to environment. The remains of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa signify that the civilization ended due to desertification which might had been caused by large scale deforestation. Still today impacts of such human activities have started appearing. Hence it is essential that we manage our natural resources properly.
Environment and its components like wildlife and Natural Resources constitute the vital life support system for all life on this planet. The protection of these through the cumulative efforts of the world community started across globe due to the persistent efforts of the United Nations through its Environmental Programme (UNEP).
The tragedies in the environment stimulated the world nations the recognition of which first appeared in the shape of the United Nations Conference on Human Environment for the preservation and enhancement of its quality, at Stockholm from June 6 to June 16 in the year 1972. The delegates from 114 nations attended the conference and signed the Stockholm Declaration.
A number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or non-governmental agencies have been playing their important roles in spreading Environmental Awareness across the globe and in developing policies for the protection of environment and sustainable development.
Following institutions have shaped the current era of globalization- (a) International Monetary Fund (IMF), (b) World Bank, and (c) World…
On June 26, 1945 fifty-one; nations representing 80% of the world’s population approved and signed a charter for the establishment of a world body of nations – the United Nations Organisation (UNO); at San Francisco.
The liberalization and the Globalization have brought a number of visible and invisible changes in the World Economy. Some of the visible changes are- better communication systems, processed food and soft drinks.
The Environmental Calamities that shook the humanity during fifties and sixties were powerful enough to generate serious and widespread sense of responsibility among world nations towards the global environment. Some of these calamities include : The killer smog in New York and London which claimed 5000 lives in 1952; The mercury poisoning due to the consumption of mercury-contaminated seafood in Japan;
Modern development has caused a number of environmental problems at local, regional, national and international levels. Global Climate Change, depletion of ozone layer, increasing inequality, reduction in the means of livelihood for poor, scarcity of food, increasing number of disasters, extinction of species, falling underground water table etc. are some of the major environmental problems created by modern unsustainable development. These problems are challenging the existence of human race on this planet.
Waste too is found in three states- solids, liquids and gases. Liquid wastes such as different types of chemicals, useless medicines, detergents, pesticides, oil, automobile wastes etc. spread on the soil surface and make it poisoned. Decomposition and burning of things on ground produce different gases that pollute the air.
It is said that corporations can destroy the world’s intact forests. They have also the Power to help save them. They can make an impact by introducing zero- deforestation policies. These policies require suppliers to produce commodities such as timber, beef, palm oil, and fibres for paper in such a way that has a minimal impact on natural forests and climate. These can also introduce paper procurement policies that set ambitious targets to maximise the use of post-consumer recycled wood, pulp, paper and fibre in their products and ensure that any virgin fibre used is certified by a rigorous third-party certification system.
