‘Let’s celebrate to
save the environment’
The Christmas festivity
is a joyous and thanks giving occasion that takes many forms and shapes
depending on one’s sociocultural and religious background.
One critical issue always
relegated to the background is the environment. With this short period of the
celebration,
energy consumption will rise while different gasses will be released into the
atmosphere.
In Ghana where a lot
of burning takes place; talking of burning wood for cooking, burning of refuse
at homes and lastly but not the least burning of car tyres, especially by the
youth to usher in the new year.
In the last decade or
so, the act of burning tyres to usher in the New Year has replaced bonfires,
which also have its own ramifications. But tyre burning takes it to a whole new
level where the ash of the burnt tyre takes years to wash.
Indeed, Christmas is
time for fun, but we must have fun responsibly because the damage we cause the
environment and the very air that sustain living on this dear earth by our
actions are irreversible.
The earth’s
atmosphere, which incidentally is the only reason why humans are still living
on this rock is getting polluted every day, meaning the quality of air for this
world is reducing by the day.
Usually, we disregard
our own little actions that contribute to this pollution and turn attention on
industrial countries as the cause of all atmospheric pollution and global
warming.
Admittedly, these
countries contribute the major green house gasses polluting the earth’s
atmosphere but the simple act of burning ten car tyres each by youth groups
should not be overlooked as minute contribution to environmental pollution.
The effects of global
warming and other environmental pollutions have been felt by all, here in Ghana
and across the world.
Devastations caused
by flood waters have been on our TV screens continuously while in Ghana, the
devastation of the last flood is yet to be removed.
Indeed, there are
trillions of other planets inhabiting the universe, however, the rock called
Earth is the only one that has a blanket of air that can support life.
It is estimated that
over 3million people die annually from air pollution-related diseases, children
and women being the worst affected.
While we worry about
air pollution we tend to forget that the tons of refuse we generate also
pollute the land and render once fertile lands into barren lands.
The management and
staff of the Daily Democrat therefore wish all Ghanaians especially our
cherished vendors, readers, customers, clients and the leadership of all
political parties a merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.
It is our fervent hope
that activities during the occasion will be in harmony with the environment, which
we are holding in trust for the unborn generation. Our lives and very our existence
depend on the survival of the environment.
May the Good Lord continue
to shower his blessings on his children.
