CLIMATE CHANGE: Tomorrow is Today

Climate Change - Tomorrow is Today - Qimpro

Collective Responsibility

There is no organization that can claim immunity from the destructive effects of a changing climate. The same holds true for individuals too.

Who is responsible for the changing climate? We all are. Organizations, as well as individuals.

In the words of Bittu Sahgal, the biodiversity activist, it is crucial that we all make the environment our collective responsibility.

Responsible Organizations

The Tata Group agrees. As early as a decade ago, Dr J J  Irani had pointed out that the fears over global warming were real and not politically motivated. He recognized that the Tata Group had to “catch up” on climate change initiatives and not be shy about learning from the Godrej Group, which was way ahead.

The Godrej Group has been green for decades. It has done benchmark work on green buildings and the process of generating compressed air. Further, according to Jamshyd Godrej, all water in Godrej plants is recycled. This not only cuts down their dependence of this scarce resource, but also cuts costs.

ITC is water positive. This implies that the organization generates greater fresh water volumes through various water harvesting methods than it consumes in its factory. Also, at the Badrachalam Paperboard plant, fly ash generated from the boilers in the mill is used to make bricks.

Responsible Individuals

What can responsible individuals do? Here are a few tips:

  • Most of our garbage consists of paper. It helps to make double sided photocopies, as well as print on used paper. (Mahatma Gandhi would have been delighted)
  • Refuse plastic.
  • Kettles consume considerable energy. The next time you want a cup of tea, boil a cup’s worth only.
  • A TV left on standby still burns vast quantities of energy. Turn off the main switch of the TV when not in use.
  • Low energy bulbs give out the same amount of light but run on a third of the power. Switch to low energy bulbs now.
  • Use a bucket for a bath. Avoid a shower.

In summary, be a conscious consumer – reduce, refuse, recycle, reuse, repair.

Can you think of other things that responsible individuals should do?

RANDOM THOUGHTS

  • In ancient times, Indians worshipped the elements of nature. Why did they stop?
  • Since ancient times Red Indians have worshipped the elements of nature. Why is their wisdom ignored in the Americas?
  • Businesses are under tremendous pressure to generate profits. Should this be at the expense of environment?
  • Should the government articulate an overriding environment vision?
  • Have this year’s monsoon rains announced that tomorrow is already today?

Can you deliver Quality without addressing Environment?





11 thoughts on “CLIMATE CHANGE: Tomorrow is Today”

  • My view: When we calculate profits, we can make a formula to take into account the social and environmental impact of the business. This will bring the efforts by the corporates into mainstream ( not just superficial and cosmetic). Thanks Sir for such a wonderful Post!!!

  • Actions towards conscious consumer must start right now and if one has already initiated actions must check for its impact and take further steps to reduce, refuse, reuse,recycle and repair. I do agree with Mr Suresh Lulla’s opinon that tomorrow is already here today. Quality can’t be delivered without thinking of its impact on nature.

  • I wouldn’t be surprised if I learned that cell phones are the new energy guzzlers.

    Airconditioning is another culprit. The hotter it gets more air conditioning we need. More the air conditioning hotter it gets. Plus we use it so inefficiently. The water produced goes to waste.

  • The theme of this article is right. I find way too many individuals, particularly those in the public eye, giving others lectures but putting no constraints on their own use of energy, plastics, etc…things they call ‘evil’. Means they have no credibility. Taking personal responsibility and acting on it is everything. Rest is an insufficient fig leaf.

    • Climate Change is here. Now.
      Do we have to wait for more disasters before we change our actions?
      Leaders must walk their talk. People listen to what you say, but believe what you do.

  • Visuals of Amazon fires, melting Greenland and stronger hurricanes worldwide are horrifying. In India also, landslides in Himalayas and Nilgiris have increased multifold and rainfall has become more erratic ( in joking terms, either right skewed or left skewed rather than normally distributed). Climate change is real and I am concerned somewhere in my sub-conscious mind. However, as an individual, I am more inclined to ignore the universal signs as I have to make personal sacrifices on my comfort quotient – not using AC when it is pleasant outside, not taking half an hour shower, etc. etc. May be I will be forced by nature to make judicious use of resources in the near future. Same holds true for an organisation.

  • ‘Quality is everyone’s responsibility’ was a slogan used to communicate all concerned that everyone had a role to play to deliver world class products and services. Unfortunately it had a downside as some individual/teams justified their inactions by saying that everyone has a role to play and they alone can not change the organization. Enviroment suffers the same old problem as it is not one country’s problem and everyone is looking at each other.

    The remedy begins at home. Parents play a important role in bringing discipline and inculcate good climate change practices at home. From water, electricity, cooking gas, food and cloths all are important resources. If we can control our homes, we can control organizations.

    • Change happens when it is TOP-DOWN. This applies to an organization. With respect to Climate Change we need a CEO for World United.

      Concurrently, we need to work BOTTOM-UP. Parent must lead their children by example.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.