WALK THE ‘GREEN’ TALK...

Architect Niteen Parulekar speaks about conserving energy

 It is clear that human activity has caused most of the past century's environmental problems. Amidst melting ice caps, dwindling forests and rising sea levels, both humans and wildlife are trying to sustain and survive. According to scientists, human activities are contributing to global warming by adding large amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. They argue that a narrow ten-year window of opportunity remains to set these things right. If this window is missed, temperature rise of above two degrees celsius could see the disappearance of the Himalayan glaciers that provides water and food for over two billion people. A report warns of clear and present danger of some islands disappearing and the annual damage costs of up to seven per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) of small island states like Fiji.
    Our patterns of consumption have a direct impact on our environment. On a daily basis and at an individual level, these patterns include factors that define our lifestyle which includes our choices of food, the transportation we use, the home we live in, the energy we consume and the commodities we choose. The solution to the problem lies in our determined choices and every little step we take everyday. Most of these obligations can be fulfiled right at home. Traditionally, practices such as like switching off lights, turning off taps and recycling of plastic milk bags and newspaper help. These basic patterns embodied in the Indian culture might have arisen out of the need for conservation and lack of resources of a developing country. With the current global climatic crisis, we have to consciously practice these indigenous ideologies; be it at home, work or on the streets. It has required to remain sustainable be it energy or lifestyle.
    A report states that 1.6 billion poor people across the world still rely on wood and animal dung for fuel and 930 million of them live in East and South Asia. While they are left in the dark, rich countries are running up the energy bills. If every poor person on the planet had the same energy-rich lifestyle as the Western nations, nine planets would be needed to safely cope with the pollution. While there is so much to learn from the West, we have sometimes been blind imitators or selective to choose the shortcoming of the western style consumerism which is far from sustainable. Developing countries are getting shortchanged and the worst impact of environmental destruction is getting passed onto the poor and the most vulnerable populace of the world.
    Consuming organic food and buying indigenous products is an excellent example of a sustainable lifestyle. Ancient Indian gurus have preached for thousands of years with a message to live in harmony with the environment and have respect for all living creatures. Environmentalists today are giving the same message. It is important to encourage individuals who make an effort to incorporate solar panels in their homes, invest in energybased appliances or double glazing for homes, use fuelefficient vehicles and alternative transportation options, commit to home composting and recycling of daily waste. The encouragement could be in the form of incentives such as tax breaks and discounts for similar green techniques or products.
    One of the definitions of sustainability is development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The obligations arising from this mean that all humans have the right to an environment that is adequate for their health and well being. The world is moving ahead at an unprecedented pace driven by new emerging economies like India and China. In this context there is no precedent in the history of our world to decisively affect the global environmental problems. The responsibility also does lie with architects. Niteen Parulekar Architects Pvt. Ltd. actively pursues green design and encourages sustainable design professionals in their enterprise. They also conduct inhouse green awareness and educational workshops. Architect Niteen Parulekar is the Managing Director of NPAPL. Phone number: Tel: 66660777. E-mail at: niteen.parulekar@npapl.com or log on to: www.npapl.com.

Niteen Parulekar