Effective Steps for Net Zero Carbon Emission
In the Sanskrit Epic Mahābhārata, the prince Arjuna faces a moral dilemma: whether or not to war in battle against his own family members. Initially, he is not only ignorant of knowledge but also of his own emotions and the deeper spiritual truths that govern his life. He is torn, not just because of his emotional connections with the people who are his enemies, but because it drives him to question the purpose of war itself, and in the long-term, his own life. Because of this ignorance, Arjuna seeks guidance from Lord Krishna, where he then is taught the fundamental truths of the universe. Arjuna’s ignorance serves as a necessary catalyst for his awakening; without such initial uncertaintiy and confusion, he would have never been able to comprehend the serious problem at hand and Dharma (righteousness).
From this, we see Arjuna needed to experience that lapse of judgment – of both ignorance and nescience – in order to fullfill and understand his true purpose as a kshatriya dharma (a warrior). Only after his ignorance is he able to then realize his mistakes and find the right path to take, moving forth from his initial sense of impossibility and desperate fear. This essay argues, that just like Arjuna, humanity is in need of a somewhat rude awakening. No more can awareness campagins or #teamseas on social media posts have an affect anymore. Ignorance is a bliss, until it is not. But when it is becomes tangible, it calls for action, more effectively than any solution that can be sought.
This essay defines a Net Zero world as not a world where carbon emissions are nonexistent, but a world where we are in the position of where both individuals and the global community as a whole generates more energy than it uses. Such a world is not as impossible as it sounds: in the status quo, there are households that are netzero.These “Net Zero homes”, also called “the future of architecture” is meticulously designed to minimize carbon emissions from floor to ceiling.
Everyone knows the critical needs of the planet. As Mark Twain once put it, “Everyone talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it.” In fact, environmental problems might be the most widely discussed issues these past couple of years. Suddenly, caring about the environment has become “trendy”, with companies switching to more nature-friendly alternatives not for the planet, but to look good and for publicity.
But has anything actually changed?
Yes, more claim they people “care” about the planet. But this “caring” stops at just that – we discuss issues such as global warming. Students are forced to make posters and awareness campaigns at school. But in reality, the amount of people who go out of there way to work towards a Net Zero world is miniscule.
The problem with carbon emissions is that it forms a cycle that is unlikely to break in the immediate future. The demographic with the greatest potential to drive change is undoubtedly corporations. With the power and capacity to enact large-scale change, they are often placed on a pedestal and held accountable for environmental problems. Naturally, they are expected to take full responsibility. However, this burden cannot rest solely on corporations. After all, a company’s primary incentive is capital, and understandably so. Regardless of carbon emissions, their goal at the end of the day is to maxmize customer satisfaction, and through that, profit. German juice brand Capri Sun recently announced they are going to bring back plastic straws after a year of complaints against the mushy, dissolving paper straws. Through this, we see the power of consumers and the public.
So then it is consumers’ shoulders this responsibility of making a Net Zero world should fall on? Is it the government’s?
The fact is, it’s all of us.
As Greta Thunberg put it, “The climate crisis is both the easiest and the hardest issue we have ever faced”. This is because such abstract problems as the environment are just a cycle of pointing and pinning the blame at other people.
So then, can there even be a solution? If humanity’s best is simply to cause awareness of the problem and stop there, what good is it to even look for effective steps, if no one will take those steps in the first place?
To this, I argue the first step of creating a Net Zero world is ignorance. Just like Arjuna, we must understand the psychology of humans. It is, and will always be the nature of humanity to disassociate ourselves with problems that do not affect us now.
Some may argue that by the time we recognize the severity of the problem, it will be too late to avoid disastrous consequences. But it is through these very consequences that individuals will be driven to push for real change and develop a genuine concern for the planet. Only it is through this ignorance, will we be able to learn and work towards solutions of efficient energy usage, decarbonizing electricity, and so much more. And through our own actions, we will ensure that it is not too late.
Because regardless of our ignorance, technology will advance. Scientific discoveries will be made, and fields of infrastructure and energy will have so much more capabilities than they have today.
So yes, the first step is ignorance. Although it is perhaps not the safest choice, it is a crucial journey humanity must endure in order to truly evolve. Only then can we implement transformative solutions without hesitation and see change in industries, the government, and the people.
By: Harim Oh
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