POLLUTIOn of the environment causes serious damage to life and nature. Effective and immediate preventive measures have to be taken so that the ill-effects can be prevented or minimised.

Some of the measures are:

* Banning the usage of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) chemicals;

* Banning deforestation;

* Banning the usage of chemical based insecticides and weed- killers;

* Sustainable development;

* Usage of pollution-free energy;

* Recycling activities;

* Environmental education;

* Effective enforcement of regulations.

At an international seminar held in Montreal in 1987, it was unanimously accepted that the usage of CFC chemicals had led to the thinning of the ozone layer. At the Helsinki Accord, the United States, Germany and Britain announced their willingness to reduce the usage of CFC chemicals. Later, China, India and Brazil joined the fray in 2000. Belgium and Portugal have banned the use of the chemical.

In their quest to become industrialised, many developed countries have sacrificed vast areas of forests. Let's not repeat such mistakes. Planting more trees reduces the prevalent carbon dioxide levels and at the same time, averts the accumulation of greenhouse gases.

Insecticides and weed-killers emit methane gas and are carcinogenic. On the other hand, organic weed-killers and fertilisers are valuable alternatives.

All forms of development projects should give importance to the surrounding ecosystem. Pollution of the environment should be avoided at all costs. Housing areas must maintain greenery within their vicinity. Industries that emit toxic waste, smoke and noise should not be allowed to operate.

Petroleum, natural gas, coal and uranium are toxic, emit carbon or radiation resulting in fatal consequences. Solar energy is perpetual and four million kilowatts are generated every hour on the earth's surface. Hydro and wind powers can be channelled to produce clean and powerful electro-power.

Garbage buried under the earth for three years is burned to produce methane gas which is then trapped and converted into energy. India and the Netherlands produce energy from animal dung. Water, too, can be recycled to overcome depletion of natural resources. The production of Newater in Singapore is a good example.

The inclusion of environmental education in the school curriculum will plant the seeds of awareness and responsibility among children. The three- pronged objectives of cognitive (knowledge), effective (appreciation) and psychomotor (action) will create long-lasting aspirations in the preservation of the environment.

Everyone has an obligation and duty to preserve the environment. At the least, we can defer from littering, minimise the exploitation of natural resources and avoid wastage by being prudent when using electricity, water, paper, etc.

When individuals and groups lack civic consciousness and are filled with apathy, enforcement of laws and regulations should be allowed to take its course of action.

The need to protect our environment is never more urgent than now. That means reducing waste and promoting a clean and green lifestyle, and everyone can play a part. This is a weekly series by Alam Flora Sdn Bhd and Sunday Mail on waste management and nature conservation