Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's day mom. Your the best person in the world. Today, what I am is just because of you. You have supported me every time. You knew when I was wrong and when I'm right, when to scream at me and when to support me.

Love you always!

Happy Mother's Day! May all of you mothers out there have the most blessed day ever.

Say NO to Plastic Bags

Yesterday, I was shopping at the Total Mall and I was in the queue for my billing. I was unsure that I would be going for shopping groceries or somehow it skipped my mind to carry my grocery bag!

I was done with the billing and I was all set to come out with 3-4 PLASTIC BAGS. Somehow, I felt ashamed as a couple behind me, started screaming "NO PLASTIC BAGS PLEASE, HELLOOOOOO NO PLASTIC BAGS PLEASE! WE HAVE GOT OUR OWN BAGS!!!". There are people who take the effort to carry their own bags, whenever and wherever they go. I really appreciated the couple there.

As I walked out from the second floor, I could see a man who had filled two bags (Cloth Bags) full of groceries. I felt happy to see at least two people carrying their own bags and made their contribution in saving the planet earth. Hats off to such people!

At the same time, I felt sad for not carrying my bag with me. L 

 P.S: They are my shopping bags in the picture.

Plastic roads in India. Will it work?

India’s first Plastic waste road has been built in Bangalore!

On the eve of Earth Day 2010, I was watching the earth day special documentary on reducing carbon emission - "Cutting Carbon Footprints" - in National Geographic Channel. A documentary that reminds all of us that we have a moral & social responsibility to planet Earth, and that we have to do our best to reduce carbon emission & leave a healthy planet for generations to come.

What caught my interest in this documentary is about a wonderful project that is occurring in Bangalore. A company is Bangalore has begun to add shredded plastic waste to road-laying materials. This morning I was browsing regarding this subject and I got to know some pro's and con's on this project.

What are the benefits of Plastic roads?

A company by the name of KK Plastic Waste Management Co. has begun to add shredded plastic waste to road-laying material (asphalt).

Plastic roads can better handle the pressure of incessant traffic and, most importantly, the harsh sun, pounding rain and other quirks of Indian weather.

More importantly, these "plastic roads" make use of tons of plastic waste. It is handy in disposing the tons of waste plastic that Bangalore’s residents produce daily.

Bangalore alone generates roughly 40 tons of plastic waste each day, or enough for about 25 miles of road. The project is off to a great start - so far 800 miles of sturdy city roads have been built, and the city has been rid of 4,000 tons of plastic waste.

Fortunately, rag pickers (trash collectors who are some of the poorest people in India) are paid to find plastic trash.

Shredded plastic binds the road material, cutting down on the need for constant repair. Since plastic is water resistant, there is less damage during heavy rains which account for the bulk of the damage to roads.

This project has allowed roads to become sturdier, plastic waste to be reduced, and it has proven to be a great way to employ people.

So far, the plan seems to be working.

What is not being considered is the degradation of plastic materials into smaller particles overtime. What happens when particulate plastic matter ends up in our water supply and is ingested by animals and human beings. Have you looked at research on this. Is anybody paying attention? Plastic as we all know does not degrade and the evidence is in our oceans whereby marine life is being heavily impacted by presence of plastics particulate matter.

Are we are creating another environmental disaster ten years down the lane?

Earth Day - 2010

Great Ways to Celebrate “Earth Day 40″

# Wear something green

# Plant a tree - Plant a new tree to celebrate Earth Day

# Turn off the lights - Turn off all electricity for one hour. Light a candle and spend quality time with family and friends

# Pick up the garbage - Spend some a couple hours picking up litter at your local river

# Walk, ride or bike Skip the car! Walk, bike, or take the bus to work

# Skip the Steak - Give up meat for one day

# Save Paper

My thoughts on earth day 2010...

Climate change has become a greatest challenge for us at this time. But as the climate changes, it also gives us a chance to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy for now and for the future. At least if we all contribute in reduce, recycle, reuse mantra and make people aware of the green movement going around - we'll be successful in saving the planet earth.

Few things to note:

·          Say NO to plastics - Take a shopping bag when you go shopping. Make it a point that you never leave home without a shopping bag.

·          Purchase fresh food without packaging

·          Save Paper - Hit the print button only when it is really required. For example, instead of printing your travel itinerary and every other travel document, load them to your phone. Saves paper, ink and electricity that'll be used to operate the printer!

·          Save Water - Be really conscious about how much water you’re using for washing, Bathing, Shaving etc. Those extra couple of minutes in the shower could be using up clean water that’s needed in the local area. Make it a point to close the tap when you shave or brush. Specifically men keep the tap open.

·          Always take your own water bottle from home. You save money and plastic use.

·          when eating foods with small wrappers and there's no dustbin around the area, throw it when you find a dustbin.

·          Take public transportation or walk/bike/cycle

·          Minimise carbon footprint that we leave behind

·          Small actions from a collective of individuals can make a big difference in the long run.

Good luck, think green and happy earth day!