Conservation of Resource through "wise-use" during Coronavirus Pandemic

 

Are we using our resources efficiently during 

COVID-19 Pandemic?  

Image Credit: hrui/Shutterstock.com

 

Yet another day passes by. 

Even though the scenario is as grim as ever, the prolonged feelings of uneasiness, distress and anxiety induced due to COVID-19 have been, to an extent, watered down, replaced by apathy, actuated by a dull, monotonous routine. Too much free time may provoke people to undertake unnecessary, often irrelevant course of actions to relieve boredom.

Whether the cause is the uncertainty of what lies ahead or a sudden blatant disregard at troubling times like this, we tend to keep the water taps running, the lights of our rooms switched on 24/7 or simply brush off the thought of having to switch off the fan or turning off the pc when leaving the room, all while squandering our time lying on the cushion, deciding what to do first after quarantine is over or cultivating the art of winning imaginary arguments.

The pressing issue here is not how we’re spending the indefinite amount of free time we didn’t ask for, rather, how our lack of enthusiasm towards the small yet significant task of efficiently using precious resources like water, electricity, gas is resulting in massive resource wastage, taking into account a cumulative estimate from all over Bangladesh.

We have to keep in mind that the resources we are blessed with are limited, which is especially true for non-renewable resources like fossil fuels and groundwater in certain aquifers (even electricity produced in Bangladesh is largely dependent on natural gas). The combination of increasing levels of population and consumption has already resulted in resource scarcity in many areas of Bangladesh.

Taking these precious resources for granted and consuming them in an unsustainable manner is the main cause behind such scarcity.

Efficient use of resources requires ethics, a mindset - Ethics of Sustainability.

This ethics recognizes that human uses need to be reconciled with intrinsic and necessary ecosystem functions and structures and the use itself should be “for the greater good of the greatest number for the longest time” with emphasis on our obligation to the future generation to meet their own needs.

Since we are stuck at home for an indefinite period of time, small tasks such as turning off the water tap as soon as we are done and not using water more than necessary, turning off the gas after the purpose is served, switching off the electronic appliances after use or when not in use can significantly reduce wastage, which is termed as “Conservation through wise use” or simply “wise use.”

Let us all cultivate the habit of consuming resources in a sustainable manner, so that every time we derive social, economic, recreational and cultural benefits from these resources, we do so through “wise use.”