It is 2012, and whatever we have left of our environment to date, is still tossing in the hands of "Who cares" with "nothing much can be done about it" written on all facets in bold. It's funny how the countries that steered the air of Green Revolution, in a desperate move to save the hunger stricken world, are now singing the tune of Organic farming. It's all over the US market, at least a small section in every known chain of stores. And quite positively, this wave would have hit all the countries to different extents, the visual impression being stronger in the more developed countries and declining down in a descending fashion. I have been observant of this section since my first shopping experience in US, as it was not a familiar sight back in India. And recently, the sight at the Whole Foods Market swarmed by the wise environmentally conscious people just proved its stand in the World's most ethical companies.
It is a very common notion among public that something labelled "organic" relates to doing good for the environment. In a way, that is right. You are doing good to the environment by buying something which was supposed to be available at cheaper rates than the synthetically produced commodities, for the simple reason that organic farming is a new form of our prehistoric agricultural practices, before the onset of Green Revolution. And this is what is so ironic. When common agricultural tools could not feed the world, funds were raised, science was used to make the lands more productive and crops high yielding. And after scouring off all the aboriginals, in an effort to save the environment, an expensive way to make up for all that spoiling work is to toy with the Organic word. How safe!
This is now the picture of every developed and developing nation, including India. People are being educated about all the eco-friendly products and practices, money is allotted in the name of launching the "Green Market". But how faithful are the progenitors towards actually serving their environments? Is it just a money making scheme for them and a rightful duty for the commoners? How influenced will the public be with these stunts when they are burdened with the fight to earn a good living. Who will take care of the environment? Not those who criticize the rising fuel prices and own a four-wheeler per head in their family, and definitely not those who buy organic food and believe that global warming is only because of the sun.
It is true. While the republican faces literally hate the idea that global warming is in any way related to human activities, the democratic president supports his people by not only agreeing with human induced global warming, but also putting all the accusation on developing countries like India and China for the increased fuel prices and air pollution. That makes everyone happy. And so with almost the highest number of vehicles per 1000 persons, being one of the largest CO2 producing countries, and never ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, US stands strong in promoting organic food and claiming itself as one of the most environmentally conscious country.
India has different issues. Poverty, population and lack of education being the ruffians. And it has become a fashion to give a say on these issues; everyone has one. India has signed and ratified everything, and schemes and yojnas are being proposed and implemented through the Five-year plans. With the 11th Five year plan closing in, our agricultural country is aiming to reverse the deceleration in agricultural growth and to improve the income of the farmers. Isn't that too early to do? The Planning Commission of India clearly indicate in their report that the faults and lacking efforts of the State Agricultural departments in following the norms of good agricultural practice. The Krishi Vikas Kendras are there just as a progress in papers. Moreover, most of the organically produced food is exported to other countries. Now with absence of education and resources, how is a poor farmer expected to follow all the rules of a good sustainable farming and produce something which would be sold at sky high prices in some other country? The current policies wouldn't allow the farmers to give in the certified organic produce as demanded with a meager investment.
I accept that promoting organic food/farming is at least a step towards sustainability. But with all the money laundering and inflation stricken markets, are the majority people even capable of buying the over priced stuff? After straining out the pockets, is there an extra penny left to spend on something which should have been there had not the money making stunts brought us to this stage. But as the old saying goes, no use crying over spilled milk, it is probably the future we should be worried about.
Common sense tells that future is built on the foundations of the present. What we have today is a result of the past and what we do now will give us a proportionate future. If we continue to dwell in the shallowness of the so called eco-wave, there is nothing but a disaster waiting for us ahead. The people already in the boat will be the ones to drown last; it's the commoners who are actually drifting in the flow that are earliest to succumb.
Facts apart, environment itself is a very naive thought. It includes you, your surroundings, and the relation you have with others sharing these surroundings. When you understand that, you know that thinking about the environment is basically knowing about yourself and the importance of your existence. Once you are above the biased education on eco-friendliness, you can give it a thought yourself. There is a difference between being educated to be environmentally conscious, and actually being environmentally conscious. And that difference boils down to just a simple frame of mind. Sort out your necessities from your luxuries. Burning a gallon of fuel to buy some organic food is not a very healthy idea. Neither is a full utilization of your 24*7 supply of electricity just to make your house look beautiful. Buying and throwing unnecessarily does not count as being green. Reserve and preserve. Spend thriftly. And do your share. A simple idea can definitely change your and others' life.
