Human activities have resulted in serious threats to the environment

New Delhi: Human activities have resulted in serious threats to the environment mentioned Prof. C K Varshney, Former Dean, School of Environmental Sciences, JNU, Professor Emeritus, JNU and Distinguished Adjunct Professor Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok in the session by Environment Committee of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on “Ecologizing Economy: A Compelling Shift Towards Green Growth And Long Term Sustainability”.
 
Prof. C K Varshney, Former Dean, School of Environmental Sciences, JNU, Professor Emeritus, JNU and Distinguished Adjunct Professor Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkokgave a comprehensive presentation on shift towards green growth and long term sustainability. He discussed a range of factors which are responsible for ecological imbalance through his deep researched presentation.
 
He highlighted that industrialization is not only creating employment but also taking a toll on the environment. Thus environment needs to be protected and focus should be on green business and sustainable development. Since our life and support depends upon the environment hence it is important for us to preserve it. He also talked about the importance of food chain in the ecosystem and how energies and nutrients are being passed on from one organism to another and how species depend on each other.In his example, he rightly mentioned that if trees are being eliminated from the ecosystem, all the sub-systems, be it large or small will suffer and the whole ecosystem will collapse. He also mentioned about the ecosystem services which are the benefits obtained by people from the ecosystem. These are namely Provisioning Services such as food, clean water and genetic resources; Regulating Services such as regulation of climate, floods and disease; Cultural Services such as recreational, aesthetic and spiritual benefits and Supporting Services such as soil formation and nutrient cycling.
 
He further highlighted  about the top five global risks for the year 2020 –i.e Extreme weather events, Failure of climate-change mitigation and adaptation, Environmental damage and disasters such as oil spills and radioactive contamination, Major loss of biodiversity and pandemics, Natural disasters such as Floods, Heat Strokes, Cyclones, Forest Fires, Melting of glaciers and Polar ice caps
 
He also mentioned about the green growth which has emerged as a dominant policy response to climate change and ecological breakdown. The focus of green growth strategies is ensuring that natural assets can deliver their full economic potential. Sustainable development captures all aspects that are needed for the welfare. Companies should spend a substantial amount on CSR to protect and prevent the environment.
 
Mr Sanjay Aggarwal, President, PHD Chamber in his welcome address discussed about the effect of industrialization on the environment. He mentioned that industrialization in one hand is generating employment and on the other hand is posing serious threat to the environment. Environment should be protected at any cost to maintain the ecological balance and achieve sustainable development. He highlighted thatcompanies are now shifting from traditional to cleaner and environmental friendly methods in their business operations. He also pointed out that Covid waste disposals should be treated before discharging it in the environment.
 
Dr Ranjeet Mehta, Deputy Secretary General, PHD Chamber in his introductory remarks emphasized that the growth of an economy and environment protection are two sides of the same coin. There should be a harmonized relation between the two so that none of them is affected.
 
Dr J P Gupta,Chairman, Environment Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in his address  highlighted the 5 key elements of the Universe namely Fire, Earth, Water, Metal and Wood which are regarded as the foundation of everything in the universe and natural phenomenon.
 
Dr J S Sharma, Co-chairman, Environment Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry delivered the concluding remarks and  thanked the esteemed panellists, participants and summarised the session.