Because they remain ignorant..

Everyone's talking about environment and its implications and effects. Has anyone stopped to consider those who may be ignorant or indifferent to the so called implications? Sure, if their house was to get burnt down by the UV rays, maybe then they'd show some concern, otherwise....

It's not always that the best meant notions work. Almost always they fall on deaf ears. How do we get people to notice and take a step towards eradicating this indifference to the degradation around us? See, when people write things and publish numerous articles on oft repeated issues it doesn't make the matter better dealt with. You need to do something about it. Practically, manually, physically...

We need to communicate with the people who matter. The ones who might make a change. Or who might help make a change. We need to talk to those whose voices are the least heard, whose pleas are often dismissed, whose condition worsens as the environment degrades and they stare on blankly, not knowing the harm that is heading their way. We need to open up our minds and see what's right in front of us.

The poor are always left to fend for themselves. With due respect to the Indian government, which has strived long and hard over the last 5 decades trying to come up with better solutions for this situation, the efforts aren't reaping the required rewards are they? How do R.K Pachauri and his panel expect the poor and the mostly uneducated citizens of this sub continent to understand the first words about 'environment', leave alone 'global warming' and 'green house effect'?

The situation at hand can grow way out of proportion, and in a way it already has. Indian economy is slowly shifting towards Capitalism. There can be arguments over that, but that's not the issue at hand now is it? The after effects are being borne only by the downtrodden-not the air conditioned corporates or the well settled middle class. The surge of the industries, the zealous competition between the corporates, the polluted rivers and the eroded soil stand proof to the increased environmental degradation by the upper and the middle class and NOT the poor. Life has a twisted sense of humour, i'd like to think, because the polluters remain safe and happy, while the victims, well...

We can see that the poor have no idea of what is going on around them. Those that do know, have only a vague picture. Try explaining to the village artisans that the government has increased the tax rate on environmentally unsafe goods. They are going to give you blank stares. So what is to be done? Talking seems pointless, as efforts before have proved fruitless. Is the Indian structure to be blamed then? Is the diversity in fact proving to be a hindrance? Are the poor to be blamed for not grasping the finer nuances of the existing situation?

Their ignorance, whether intentional or not has led to lower standards of achievement of the environmental standards of safety. Because, according to the London conference and the Kyoto protocol, India hasn't satisfied the required reduction levels. This can be done only when the country as a WHOLE is aware of the environment restrictions. Ignorance and indifference have played truant then??

Policies and Treaties can only be of some help. Reality prevails in the end. Education, and by that, not school or college level, but the impartation of knowledge about the environment and its implications to the poor has to be provided. Schemes and allowances are being made for the same. But is there a show of interest amongst the people? Those who need to be educated aren't interested. Lack of interest will only lead to a half baked job. What is to be done then?

If the matter is left as it is, then the only answer India can have is to not sign any other treaty in the near future. Withdrawals from treaties will speak poor on the country's performance. Let's face it, India's track record has been wrecked over the last year, the Commonwealth games being, well, better left unsaid...

India needs to open her eyes. The facts of reality are always unfavourable to the country. Nevertheless, the area that needs focussing on has been stated clearly. Environmental policies, taxes, schemes, treaties, etc etc etc...will have no effect on them, because they still remain ignorant...