Economic Progress or Sustainable Prosperity?

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Economic growth refers to a rise in the GDP of the country, such as due to a rise in production of goods and services in the economy or maybe due to an increase in employment in the country. Sustainable prosperity would mean operating in such a way that lives of future generations are not put on the line and that measures to conserve the environment are taken.

One of the fastest growing economies, a market for the future, and an example of economic progress are some of the phrases India is addressed by. However, what is not mentioned is that we are amongst the bottom 10 in the country sustainability rankings. The large scale industrialisation and the boost in tourism might, on one hand, take the GDP of charts but what already lingers there is the constantly devolving pollution level. Is this negative externality justified in the name of economic progress?

On one hand we must make the best use of resources that are available to us and in doing so the damage to the environment is not the primary concern. The primary concern is giving everybody everything they demand while making profit. Few have other corporate objectives other than this and most argue that why should they have the propensity to act sustainable as it reduces their profits. They raise a valid point when they say that the scarcity of resources and competitiveness of the market has forced them to use the cheapest ways of producing and this has in turn engendered the problem we face today.

Such attitude has fostered the Asian brown clouds forming over countries particularly India and Pakistan. This is due to high airborne pollutants created due to combustion and biomass burning. It has caused changes in the time of the monsoon rains and a great decline in the growth of harvest during the year.

Delhi being the most popular example, where pollution levels are around 10 times what they should be. So bad is the air that living in Delhi is said to be equal to smoking twenty plus cigarettes every single day.

This also extends to the global scale. The United States of America withdrew from the Paris agreement of 2016 which, when comes into action in 2020, limits greenhouse emissions of a country. It is a step the global community is taking towards a cleaner, greener, safer future but with the absence of one of the biggest culprits. Mr Trump stated that the change from the accords will be insignificant and that the United States has already spent billions of dollars and was already “way ahead” while other countries have not and would not spend a dime. However the president made a valid point saying that it will cause power shortages and blackouts in countries dependant on fossil fuels for power. Another powerful point put forth was that millions of industrial jobs will be lost as production will now be capped by emission.

However, considering that the impact of the rise in pollution is not individual and affects the world as a whole which must be fathomed by some countries. Collative measure must be taken such as the Paris agreement and constant checks need to be made to ensure everybody is on target. Individually, countries could invest in the generation of renewable energy. Solar energy is becoming readily available and cheaper and also other methods of obtaining clean energy such as but not limited to geothermal, tidal and wind could be used after considering the geographical and financial ability of each individual nation. We cannot elude the problem, only reduce its impacts and we must, because otherwise, in the long run… we are all dead.

Aryan D Mehta
Student of A Level
VIBGYOR Goregaon, Mumbai

5 Ways to Create a Positive Work Environment

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A Happy Workplace is a Healthy Workplace

It is said that one’s workplace is one’s second home. Nowadays, it has become the first home for many employees around the world. In this changing scenario, making your workplace environment a happy and healthy one is very important. Apart from comfortable cabins and workstations with all the requisite amenities, there are other aspects too to consider. Here are 5 ways in which you can make your workplace an oasis of harmony, purposefulness and fulfillment.

Meet and Greet your Team

Respect your colleagues on a personal as well as professional front. Have meaningful conversations with them. Ask them what they think about topics related to work and if you are in a managerial position, provide a feeling that everyone matters. Most of all, smile. A smile can brighten up the dreariest and most stressful of days. So, smile from your heart and see how the positive vibes that you emanate uplift others’ moods too.

Praise and Recognition

Show that you care by complimenting your colleagues – for meeting deadlines, completing tasks, for making things easier for you, for helping out. At times even small compliments about attire and outlook can make a big difference. As a team leader, give credit where it is due. Look out for reasons to confer honours and awards for specific projects executed and implemented well – an ‘Employee of the Month’ citation, or a token of appreciation, or a flower/chocolate/cake or complimentary tickets and coupons.

Trust and Ownership

Communicate matters to the entire team verbally or through emails. Transparency can reduce needless confusion and negativity. Additionally, it can also act as a barrier to the gossip mills running overtime in most organisations where secrecy is the norm. If you are the boss, refrain from micro management. This will make the employees feel more confident. Empower your employees by entrusting them with responsibilities. Giving a sense of ownership can boost their productivity and commitment.

Practise the Pause

Mindfulness is the new mantra. Take time out of your busy schedule during working days to pause for a few minutes every day and reflect and introspect, or just connect with yourself. Make it a regular habit to set a 3 to 5 minute ‘Me’ time for yourself at least twice in your regular workday routine. These precious minutes can be spent on meditating or just doing some breathing exercises. Be mindful about oneself. Follow this routine diligently.

Clutter Free is Stress Free

A messy desk or cabin with files and papers and stationery spread all around looks unpleasant and generates a feeling of discomfort. On the contrary, a spic and span office gives a powerful message of positivity and productivity. If you are going to spend the better part of your day at work, then a clean, organised and inviting environment will create a good impression on colleagues, bosses, team members, clients and guests. Get rid of all the clutter periodically, decorate your desk artistically (not flashily) and use subtle natural air fresheners for a ‘feel good’ effect.

Work matters. Let us make our workplace matter.

Is banning plastic the best solution?

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Over the years, we have been so selfish – destroying the planet and not thinking about the future generation. From wasting water to using harmful fuels, we have done it all, but the use of plastic might be the most heinous crime yet. Fortunately, the Government has contrived a movement for the betterment of the planet. The “Ban the Bag” movement has compelled all Mumbaikars to discard all plastics and refrain from using them. However, not everybody can see the good in this movement, can you?

It is scientifically proven that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than there will be fish. This will not only cause food shortages, whilst the population is ever rising, but it will also increase the strain on our farmers. Carelessly discarded plastic bags not only strangle and suffocate aquatic plants and animals, but they also cause visual pollution which reduces tourism that affects the country’s economy.

On the other hand, the alternative to plastic bags – paper bags and reusable bags are much more expensive; thus, businesses and consumers (especially those who are on a tight budget) are suffering. Moreover, an industry official predicts that nearly 3,00,000 people are set to become unemployed due to this movement .

Many question, “How is the government going to dispose off these non degradable plastics?” The answer is that the government plans on converting plastic into fuels. Nevertheless this may only cause further damage. The fuel produced by plastics is sure to produce more carbon emissions than normal fossil fuels, contributing further to global warming and climate change.

We all agree that plastic bags fill up landfills because they take 1000 or more years to decompose completely. Unfortunately, few of us know that paper bags take up 9 times more space than plastic bags and decompose at about the same rate.

Moreover, plastic bags release chemicals into the ground and water ways that indirectly enter the food chain. When we ingest the fish, these harmful chemicals enter our bodies and have adverse effects like disrupting our hormonal functions. Believe it or not, reusable bags have the same effects on us. Scientists believe that reusing cloth bag, especially during warmer months, increase bacteria that would spread to your groceries and cause food poisoning.

I personally believe that banning plastics is not the best solution because it is causing more problems than solving them. We should use more sustainable and effective methods such as educating the future generations about small actions like – reusing plastics, saving water which can go a long way and save the planet. So let us take the initiative of making the world a better place.

Alethea Alphanso
Student of AS Level,
VIBGYOR Goregaon, Mumbai



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