High on a Hill

Who is ultimately responsible for the planet?

Oct 30, 2009 13:46

The other day, I went for a talk about changing world views. I learned that in the past, people did not consider it to be the Government's responsibility to provide welfare for the public. The Government's responsibility was to administer justice and peace.

According to the speaker, it was Horace Greeley, the founder of the New York Tribune, who came up with the idea that the Government should be held responsible for the welfare of the people. America, being the great exporter of its culture even back in those days, exported this idea to the rest of the world. Now, even in Malaysia, the Government is held responsible for the medical and financial needs of their people, especially the poor.

Well, what about greening our nation then? There are lots of people and organizations that care about protecting the earth. But who should be held ultimately responsible for the level of pollution and care in a country?

Is it the Government? If so, shouldn't the tax rate be increased as this wasn't part of their job description earlier? Besides, recycling bins, funding green tech businesses, hiring officers to audit manufacturers for cleanliness, etc., cost money.

Is it the manufacturers that should be held responsible? After all, if no one makes and sells plastic products, we won't have such hardy non-biodegradeable items in our homes.

Is it Richard Branson who is a millionaire philanthropist many times over?

Or is it the people? Personally, I think it is us, the people. After all, the planet does not belong to the Government or the manufacturer or any other institutions. It belongs to us, each and every individual who lives here and breathes its oxygen.

If we don't start taking responsibility for our own life and our own planet, we cannot expect someone else or some other institution to do it for us. In fact, if we are responsible citizens, we might establish or join a non-profit organization that educates and encourages others to care for the planet. We may give up our cushy corporate jobs to join the Government as a public servant to help develop program policies which care for the planet, etc. We really ought to stop blaming and start taking responsibility, that's my opinion.

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