Protect the environment

Rising sea levels, increasing amounts of poisonous gases in the air, unpredictable weather patterns, contamination of freshwater resources, the depleting ozone layer and rises in temperature are no more part of science fiction. The problem is that those who are responsible for the destruction of the environment are not ready to take responsibility. In fact, they are flatly denying them as far-fetched illusions. Capitalist greed is the greatest hurdle in the way of any meaningful development towards protecting the environment.
The state should take the responsibility to regulate industrial activities to protect the environment, introduce comprehensive environmental reforms coupled with a robust mechanism for their enforcement. Internationally, developed countries should accept responsibility for damaging the environment and also compensate the affected countries. Moreover, developing countries should also realise the intensity of the problem and organise themselves under the UN to pressurise developed nations into cooperating with them in solving these environmental problems.
Tayyab Butt
Lahore