This article comes from the most polluted city in the world where small children have already damaged lungs. Most of the pollution comes from fossii fuelled transportation and open burning. The recognition of the dangers of pollution has come too late for them. Why do we wait until we reach this level before the realization sets in that we cannot continue our way of life. With a heated up planet, continued growth and increasing fossil fuelled transportation, this is the future for North American cities too.

For every environmental tragedy we need to ask WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?

Here's one solution that we don't see offered enough. We have to change our life-styles. North American politicians encourage us to preserve our lifestyles and they encourage growth above all, but they are wrong.

World Environment Day: Be a responsible consumer to save Earth
In 43 years of its history, World Environment Day movement has urged people around the world to save environment, become aware of the threats posed by climate change and take affirmative action. But never did it ask people in a way where the message was inextricably linked with the economics of living.

The throwaway culture puts extreme pressure on precious natural resources. Take the case of cars. Till a generation ago those who owned a car (they were few in number) lived with that car for the rest of their lives.
Today on an average a car owner is changing car every 3 to 5 years. Suppose they have an active life of 30 years where they have the financial wherewithal to replace cars they will end up buying and junking 6 to 10 cars – a ten-fold increase in consumption of iron, plastic, rubber, chrome etc per person.

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The template of new life can be found in the axiom of sustainable development as articulated by former Norwegian Prime Minister Ms Gro Harlem Brundtland. She urged people to consume natural resources in a way where their needs are met without jeopardising future generation’s ability to meet their own needs.
Fifty years ago when the world had 3.5 billion less souls, it was being felt that our lifestyle was unsustainable for the natural resources to cope with. Today when the planet is crowded with double the number of people it is all the more important that we consume with care.