Environmental Sustainability is Our Responsibility

Automobile played an incredible role in the human civilization giving new dimension to growth and development of the entire mankind. Today, it is almost impossible to imagine our lives without these rolling machines. Automobile and transportation infrastructure play a pivotal role in the national and global development. But, we all are very much aware or at least we tend to be aware of the fact that despite having multi facet advantage of using automobiles, there are heaps of problems when it comes to environmental concerns.

Automotive air pollution and other aspects of environmental pollution caused by the automobile-noise, water pollution from used crankcase oil, and solid-waste problems caused by junked vehicles are of serious issues debated at the national and international level. The assessments are offered from environmental, legal and economic as well as technological perspectives. The manufacturing companies, environmental right groups and the government are exercising on best alternative to combat these serious issues. A number of alternative strategies for contending with automotive pollution are examined in great detail. These include a roll-back strategy relying on emission controls, mandatory inspection and repair attempts will have no meaning if we do not want to act from the individual level. These efforts will materialize only if we the users start thinking of the environment and start acting right from day one of using our wheels.

Well, I do not want to talk about the big issues. These need to be addressed by the industry and the legislative authorities of course our voice too play a significant role in it. My concern is what as an individual we can do to contribute to a sustainable environment. We can do to say ‘No” to the use of vehicles. They are now an integral part of our daily lives. We must learn to go green with eco-friendly habitats yet using automobiles.

Roadsides litter is a pervasive from of litter which gathers in the gullies, dividers, nature strips and bush-land which line our roads. Roadsides litter which is tossed or swept by the wind and water into gullies can remain there for some time if not regularly cleaned, thus creating very unsightly aesthetics for our roadsides. Litter also gets caught in trees, shrubbery and on fencing. Plastic bags, fast food litter and beverage containers are the most visible forms of roadside litter. Organic litter, such as food scraps attract and fatalities.

Body functions do not stop just because we are driving or are inside a motor vehicle. Mucus builds up, sinuses need cleared and sometimes stomachs get upset. The road as the vehicles stall runs? There is some common sense rules of the road on which we can all agree that we call road etiquette.

How much are we concerned about the waste product of our vehicles? Although the emissions of each car is usually small compared with the smoke of many people associate with air pollution. But due to thousands of vehicles recorded on the road, these emissions do add to a great extent of air pollution. Emissions from vehicles have a significant impact on our health and the environment, namely the ozone layer. The strongest emission pollutants are hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxides and particles. All these directly affect our health and advances in engine technology and vehicle showed a significant reduction of emissions from motor vehicles, but the large number of vehicles on the road is to stop this development. It is to do so for each person what we can to reduce further, if no eliminate, pollution from our vehicles, overall imperative. Regular maintenance of our vehicles, opting for environmental friendly vehicles, using cleaner fuels, if possible switching to bio-fuels could be few options what we as an individual can do on our part.

Road transport is one of the biggest sources of pollutions in globally, contributing to poor air quality, climate change, congestion and noise disturbance. Talking about noise pollution, the typical sources are engine noise, tire noise, horns, stereos, door slamming, and squeaking brakes. Of these especially in developing countries horns contribute to the maximum automotive noise pollution. In the developed countries we hardly hear unnecessary horns but in developing countries take it as granted to blow horns recklessly anywhere and at any time.

Laws are the basic pillars on which civilizations stand. Since time immemorial, societies are dependent on our sense of self-regulation and assessment of what is right and wrong for us and others. But just as one bad apple spoils the whole basket, even one individual who places self-interest above larger good, jeopardizes society at large. Laws are enacted to nip the problems in the bud in the overall interest of societal wellbeing. Driving and traffic laws ensure order on the road and enable safe passage for all on the streets. Traffic laws are rules of the road which pedestrians and motorists are expected to follow. These lows enable smooth and organized flow of traffic on the roads. Traffic rule should strictly be followed.

Planting trees, keeping our city clean, caring our public parks no matter what number we have, adopting safety driving skills, adopting environment friendly road etiquette, respecting traffic rules for happy and healthy living.

(Ref. Article by: Kheshb Khatri (Manager-Business Development GEMS Events)