The Magazine of Dubai Women's College Volume 16 Issue 2, May ...

08 > OPINION
THE UGLY TRUTH
Text: Athija Thani
A recent environmental study revealed that per
capita household waste has reached an average
annual level of 725 kilos in Dubai. That is
a huge amount, but the question is, why is
that a huge amount? What led to the sudden
increase? I believe that certain human practices
and habits led to the increase in consuming
all sorts of material, whether it is food, paper,
water energy etc. In addition to this, the
ignorance of people about the forthcoming
consequences to their actions. Some people
don’t even think that there maybe a reaction
to what they initiated, but prefer to ignore
it and deal with it some time later, when the
situation goes worse. Yet that could be too late.
In my opinion, I think people should realize
the harm they are inflicting on the environment
as well as themselves. It is quite surprising
that some people don’t even know what the
consequences are to their heavy consumption
and how it can greatly affect our life sources
because they have this idea that all is renewable
and if not there is always the manufactured.
I think that people with authority and power
should raise awareness towards this issue and
clarify all the misconceptions and mis-
understandings people may have. Perhaps
this step is an initiative as to provide an insight
into the huge amount of impact we have on
the environment. I agree that we have become
consuming junkies to the extent we consume
a lot of toilet paper! Laws have been laid down
and fees have been implemented. Yet people
ignore all this and continue! So I am wondering
what really is going to stop the situation from
crossing the red line. I have come to the point
where I strongly agree that it is all about
individual responsibility. All facts and figures
are out there in addition to the ugly truth of
our own doings, bells are ringing. What’s left
to be done is the decision of the individual,
does he/she want to keep on going down this
road or is this a time to rise to the occasion and
a time for change that can greatly affect the
living style and chances of survival for the next
generation.