What Is Environmental Innovation?
According to Google, ‘Environmental innovation’ or ‘Eco-innovation’ is the development of products and processes that contribute to sustainable development, applying the commercial application of knowledge to elicit direct or indirect ecological improvements. This includes a range of related ideas, from environment-friendly technological advances to socially acceptable innovative paths towards sustainability.
Why Is It Important?
Climate change is real and it is accelerating! We need to change the current business models and move towards more sustainable development options. Electric cars, organic farming, renewable energy, and e-learning are our future. And the sooner we bring this change, the better for us and our planet.
The world is still fighting the coronavirus pandemic and our country is recovering from the lockdown bit by bit; our industries, economy, and businesses are on hold. A common phenomenon was visible across the entire nation when the entire country was shut. Clear blue skies, breathable fresh air and clean flowing rivers. One could even hear the ‘dawn chorus’ of the early morning chirping birds. The current crisis has shown us that nature is breathing a sigh of relief when its exploiters are inside their homes.
The national capital, New Delhi, which usually has very poor air quality was observing what many considered a miracle! Social media posts have revealed the foothills of the Himalayas in the neighbouring Himachal are now visible from towns in Punjab.
This undoubtedly shows the dreadful results of human activities that have deteriorated the planet’s condition and how upon putting these activities on hold the planet can recover.
We should learn from this situation and implement initiatives to maintain this level of healthy fresh and clean environment. When this lockdown is lifted eventually, and we return to the daily hustle and bustle of our life, it is up to us to prevent the condition from going back to what it was. Without once again driving air pollution levels up, we should look for permanent environment-friendly solutions.
The biggest change that needs to be brought in our current system is recognizing that a change needs to be made. Turning our perspective from “climate change is a problem” to “human beings are the problem and only we can offer a solution” is crucial! This is where environmental innovation comes in, referred to as ‘E-nnovation’ by various environmentalists.
We (Indians) have a bright future ahead of us. According to many experts, India is going to be a world superpower by the end of this century. And now is the best time to change our policies regarding the use of fossil fuels and energy production through them. Our country has a huge potential for developing renewable energy-producing powerhouses that produce zero carbon emissions.
Solar power, hydropower and wind power will one day contribute to the entire power grid and we will be able to breathe clean and fresh air, experience the clear flow of rivers, and hear the dawn chorus!