As I write this BLOG, the road outside my school is choked with private cars. The newspaper on my table screams: Cars Sales Reach Record High! Figure after figure show the drastic increase in private vehicles over the past few years. But this is not just a statistic made up by some researcher. This problem is very real. The exhaust fumes in the air, the honking and screeching of cars, the jammed neighbourhood roads—these are some of the tangible effects we face everyday.
The vital problem created by urbanization is that of the pollution of environment. Pollution is the direct outcome of fast urbanisation. Unplanned expansion of urban areas has put crowds huddled together in areas where the roads cannot bear the load and the haphazard industrialization has put industrial units scattered inside residential colonies. All these things have increased pollution. The number of vehicles on roads is rapidly increasing, so are the sources of noise and water pollution. Thus, the urban people bear the brunt. Very few planned urban areas, where the highways are very wide and the roads run through green areas and the industrial areas are quite away from the residential colonies and also strict rules and regulations are observed for development of new areas for residential colonies, the problem of pollution is not intense; the cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai are worst examples of polluting the atmosphere to the extent that human life is put to great risks.
This situation is clearly unsustainable. As more cars hit the roads, our country will become increasingly congested. There will be an increase in air and noise pollution, and consequently, a decrease in quality of life. I certainly do not want to live in a neighbourhood where I have to wear earplugs and masks to go out!
On a larger scale, global warming will be accelerated since cars are a major source of greenhouse gasses. Unlikely as it may seem, Singapore—an island state—could well be flooded as a result of climate change.
As such, it is clear we need to take action to fight this pressing matter. The answer: take the bus and the train!
The case for public transport is pressing. Public transport can help foster sustainable development in the local and global community, both of which we belong. At the local level, choosing the bus or train over the car can help ease congestion, reduce air pollution and improve quality of life. At the global level, it will help in the fight against climate change and global warming—a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train is carbon neutral while a bus emits three times less carbon dioxide per passenger compared to a car.
However, the inconvenient truth is that a private car is still more comfortable and handy. As such, my project aims to encourage individuals to take the bus or MRT by giving them an incentive to do so. And since sustainable development is about thinking globally but acting locally, I believe that we should start small—in schools.
My idea draws inspiration from airlines’ frequent flyer programmes. Instead of promoting air travel (which is not environmentally friendly), this initiative will promote public transport. Teachers and students will accumulate points when they take public transport to and from school. The points can then be exchanged for benefits such as concessionary travel on busses and trains or perhaps even discounts for buying a bicycle (another form of green transport). Over time, this programme can be extended to the general public as well.
Given that children’s habits are easier to change, this initiative will help promote public transport amongst the young. By reducing the number of students “chauffeured” by their parents, we will help take many vehicles off roads. In the long run, however, the future generation will become accustomed with taking the bus or train—any alternative would be unthinkable. Hence, this will reduce the number of car sales and promote India’s transport system.
At the end of the day, I recognize that the success of this project depends on many organizations and individuals. I realize that booming car sales are caused by a multiplicity of factors, and that I alone cannot solve the problem. But I believe that I have a right and a responsibility to play a leading role in creating positive change in my environment. I know that I cannot change the world, move mountains or make all the difference. However, I also know that I am empowered to take a step in fostering sustainable development.