Consume Less, Even With Green Energy

There’s so much talk of green and clean energy, one gets the feeling that there is no harm in harnessing the sun and wind and tidal waves to generate electricity and run more cars and planes and ships and spaceships. No! People, we need to consume less as a whole. Even if we have solar-powered electric saws, we should not cut down trees unnecessarily.

Sitting in Montpellier, which seems uninhabited by Indian standards, it is easy to not panic or worry about over-consumption. There is a lot less pollution than in India and roads are generally deserted (by Indian standards). However, we DO KNOW that climate change is for real. Sea levels are rising and seasons and climatic patterns have gone for a toss. We need to panic!

Reduction of consumption has to be both per capita as well as gross. Gross reduction can be achieved only if we reduce the world’s population. India has already overtaken China as the world’s most populous country. Many countries are worried about the reduction in their populations and the short term impact it will have on their economies. More than a few countries are taking active steps to increase their populations. People are taking about how China’s one-child policy has been disastrous for China’s economy. India is supposed to be poised to reap a demographic dividend.

Well, I don’t claim to have the answers, but surely, even if there is a negative impact on the economy in the short term, surely such negative impact is preferable to making this planet uninhabitable? Also, can’t we learn from China’s experiences and ensure than a reduction in population is done in a democratic manner without skewing the gender ratio. Last I heard, spreading education, hygiene and wealth is an effective way to reduce the population and would not result in a gender imbalance.