We live in a world that primarily focuses on smart living, utilising the benefits of human intelligence and technological advancement. But a sustainable living is more important than a so-called “Smart” living when you set your goal to a smarter world that encourages peace, harmony and acceptance. Sustainability involves a set of desired practices of people for the sake of coexisting on this earth for a longer period. A sustainable future can be ensured by maintaining balance and harmony in every sphere of nature.
Think Smartly, Behave Responsibly
The contemporary world has experienced many technological achievements that have continued to help us lead a smarter and better lifestyle. We have 5G network connectivity, ensuring high-speed, seamless wireless connectivity. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has opened up the vast storehouse of knowledge and its application. The Electric Vehicle market is booming not only in India but also in the whole world, cutting the expense of our mobility. The bullet train has accelerated our speed, and the transportation sector has seen a major setback in the last decade. Smart Television and OTT services have redefined our entertainment world by bringing world-class content into insanely high resolution into our drawing rooms.
When we continue dwelling in this smart world, we often forget our responsibility towards this world to keep it sustainable. Technology has brought us comfort and mobility. At the same time, it has reduced our workload and made us inactive in many cases. People in this smart world often forget that we need empathy towards the world and all individuals, animals living in it.
Here are the ways we can ensure a smart as well as sustainable world for us and our future generation:
Reduce Carbon Footprint
Reducing the carbon footprint can be a vital step towards achieving a sustainable future. We can learn from our neighbouring country, Bhutan, a small nation in the lap of the Himalayas. Bhutan is considered to be the only carbon-negative country in the world. The country’s responsible citizens plant more and more trees and dedicate themselves to environmental causes so enthusiastically. The country absorbs more carbon than it emits to the environment. Though it is very tough for countries like India to be carbon neutral because of their large population and demographic scale, initiatives and awareness can change the scenario.
Recycle and Reuse
Electronic waste (e-waste) has become a hazard to our environment. India is the 3rd largest country after China and the US to contribute e-waste on a large scale to the environment, causing air, water and soil pollution. The growth of population, purchasing capabilities and a booming electronic market are the main causes for this scenario. According to data presented by the Minister of State for the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu, in the Rajya Sabha on December 16, 2024, India witnessed a sudden boost of e-waste generation in the last five years from 1.01 million metric tonnes in 2019-20 to 1.751 million metric tones in 2023-24. This shows the future of e-waste generation, which is deadly and unbearable.
The remedy for this huge quantity of e-waste may be taking more initiatives for recycling and reusing electronic materials. Many e-commerce sites in India like Amazon and Flipkart encourage people to exchange their electronic products like old mobile phones, laptops, televisions, printers, etc, so that these can be refurbished, recycled, and reused. This is a good initiative to reduce e-waste in significant measure. Banning plastic in many cities is also a major move. People should be encouraged to use biodegradable and environment-friendly products which can be recycled and reused without causing major harm to the environment.
Electric Vehicle (EV) is as Smart as You Are
The electric vehicle (EV) market in India has seen rapid growth in the last two years. Government’s support and incentives, growing environmental consciousness, low-cost mobility, etc, are the causes for what upper-class and middle-class Indians are moving their choice from petrol cars to EV. Keeping an EV car or bike has become a token of smartness as EV helps you to move forward with a sustainable goal. The revolution has not only happened in the private cars and bike segments, but public buses across the cities are going green gradually by transforming their traditional diesel engine vehicles into electric vehicles.
According to the report furnished by the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), “India has established an objective to elevate the proportion of Electric Vehicle (EV) sales to 30% in private cars, 70% in commercial vehicles, 40% in buses, and 80% in two-wheelers and three-wheelers by the year 2030.” Otherwise, India is encouraging the setting up of EV plants by reputed global automobile companies under the “Make in India” scheme for ensuring a sustainable future.
Here We Go
We live a better life when we care and are cared for. Smart living can be long-lasting not only for us but also for our future generation if we practice a balanced lifestyle with utmost importance to ecological balance. We have to think that we are the responsible dwellers on this earth. The technological advancement has led us to live a materially rewarding life, when we are hardly bothered by the suffering of others from our activities. When we continue taking advantage of technology and innovation in this rapidly changing world, our empathy towards humanity, the animal world and nature, along with our dedication towards sustainability, are desirable for a rewarding “Smart” life.