By Wilfredo Bonaobra Jr.
[Ecothon Stories Campaign]
“Treat the earth with respect. Your parents did not gift it to you. It was a gift from your children.”
The above-mentioned Kenyan proverb accurately captures the pressing necessity of the hour, namely, “sustainable development” and “eco-friendly living.”
The latest way of living is eco-friendly or ‘going green.’ Eco-friendly goods and services are those that are thought to have little or no negative impact on the environment.
Sustainable development is defined as a system that uses resources in such a way that they are preserved for future generations. Two characteristics of sustainable development include using alternative and renewable energy resources and conservation. Rainwater harvesting, ‘tree preservation, energy conservation, and so on, are examples of sustainable practices. Natural resources such as fossil fuels, for example, are limited and non-renewable.
As people’s needs and desires grow, so does the demand for natural resources. As a result, the world’s natural resources are rapidly decreasing.
Natural resources would soon dwindle altogether, according to several scientific research. As a result, humanity’s sophisticated lifestyle and activities will collapse due to a lack of power and utter blackout.
Not only has the loss of natural resources led to a search for alternative resources that are both eco-friendly and renewable, but so has public awareness of environmental deterioration.
People are increasingly choosing eco-friendly goods and services to save the environment. These days, there are a plethora of environmentally-friendly items and services to choose from. Alternative renewable energy sources are being employed to conserve nonrenewable resources. Hydropower, solar energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy, marine energy, and other forms of natural, environmentally-friendly, and renewable energy sources are utilized. The worrying loss of resources and environmental deterioration have become more widely recognized throughout the world’s societies. As a result, reducing the use of plastic bags, utilizing natural fabrics such as khadi, jute, and cotton, using paper bags and jute bags, using compressed natural gas (CNG), banning the use of toxic chemicals such as Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and using eco-friendly furniture and paintings are all essential. Even environmentally friendly services such as “eco-health” and “eco-tourism” are in high demand.
As a senior in high school, I think it’s encouraging to witness these positive changes in our habits and lifestyles. Sustainable development and eco-friendly living are two of the most crucial new strategies to safeguard our mother earth. And, once again, this is beneficial to us and our continued existence on this planet. It is now up to us to do our part to help Mother Nature by practicing eco-friendly living and developing in a sustainable manner.
The author of this article is Wilfredo Bonaobra, a grade twelve, General Academic Strand Student at Mariroc High School. Wilfredo is also the founder and project manager of a student-led technological startup called iFarm.
iFarm is an application that provides education, learning, and training through readily available video clips related to farming. Learn more about iFarm through the video below.