What are the worst things for the environment?

Our planet is in crisis, from scorching heatwaves dying oceans, melting glaciers to vanishing forests and what not. What is more alarming is that many of these disasters trace back to our most common life choices. When we talk about the things that destroy our environment the most obvious things which cross our minds are Plastic bags, pollution and deforestation, but the truth runs much deeper.

On taking a closer look onto some of the biggest culprits we will be able to understand how these small life choices can make a drastic impact on our environment; how smallest act of compassion and empathy can heal our mother earth.

Animal Agriculture

‍When we think of pollution the most common thing that strikes our minds first is that of a traffic jam where the cars are emitting huge amount of smoke which will choke our lungs eventually, but another culprit is hiding behind the glass doors i.e. animal agriculture. According to the Food and

Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, the livestock accounted for near about 12-19.6% of the total GHG Emissions which is slightly less than the combined GHG emission by cars, planes and ships combined which stands at 22%.‍

Water Depletion and Pollution

‍Apart from general issues regarding the water pollution and depletion of ground water, the meat and dairy industries are one of the thirstiest in the world. For every 1 kg of beef to be produced it takes near about 15,000 litres of water similarly 1 kg of pork requires 6000 litres and the most favourite of all “the star chicken” for 1 kg of chicken to be produced it requires around 4,300 litres of water. If this data is to be compared with the most commonly available vegetarian options, for every Kilogram of grains it requires 1000 litres of water only and for rice it requires roughly around 2800 litres. A person can save 4000 litres of water daily just by shifting his/her dietary preferences to vegan for a single day. The slight changes in the eating habits of even one person can reduce the carbon footprint significantly and simultaneously the innocent souls will be saved from getting slaughtered just for the sake of satisfying the taste buds.

Biodiversity and Species Extinction

‍Biodiversity refers to the variety of flora and fauna available in our surrounding, due to climate change and other factors like the encroachment of the habitable lands of the animals and removal of flora from its natural environment, due to this there have been a significant depletion and extinction of the biodiversity. Humans encroach upon these territories for variety of reasons like for making the place habitable for them or to use it for agriculture of which the majority (around 77%) is used for live stock and animal feed. This massive land grab destroys the habitats and ecosystem and leads to the extinction of many species.

Fossil Fuels

‍While other factors are devastating, fossil fuels are the major source of pollution since their inception, responsible for the 90% of all the CO2 emissions, fossil fuels rank one in the list of the things worst for the environment.

Coal alone accounts for over 0.3o C of the 1o C rise in the global temperatures, scientists have anticipated that a further 1.5 o C (danger threshold) rise in the global temperature will result in the catastrophic and irreversible climatic chaos.

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These were some of the hidden culprits responsible for the depleting state of our environment among others, the worst things which are giving wounds to our environment are not limited to these only. Rising temperatures, disappearing forests, polluted oceans, and vanishing species are not distant tragedies, they are the direct results of the human choices. What we eat, wear or use has ability to decide the future of our planet. Every meal, every purchase, every voice raised for the conservation of the environment shapes a possibility of sustenance for our future generations.

Choosing plant based foods, reducing plastic, conserving energy and standing up for animals are not small acts, each act is an act against cruelty, resistance against destruction and steps towards renewal. Sustainability is not sacrifice, its empathy and compassion towards our planet, environment, animals and most importantly to ourselves.

With our life choices we can still tighten the grip of the rope which is falling from our hands, we can choose a future which is based on the principles of sustenance, compassion and empathy for everyone and every living being has a to be treated equally and not like any object, where every living being has a place to exist in harmony and peace. Because protecting the planet isn’t just a compulsion for our survival but a moral duty to everyone.

Together, we can build a kinder, cleaner and more sustainable world. The change begins with us.

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Ravinandan Bajpai, B.B.A. LL. B(HONS.),

School of Law, University of Mumbai