Zero Emission Day – Do your bit!

INTRODUCTION

On March 21, 2008 "A Global Moratorium on Fossil Fuel Combustion" was launched with a simple yet undeniable message of "Giving our planet one day off a year". A message that hopes to bring back the forgotten age old principles of 'stopping, resting, recharging and reflecting' back into the mainstream. Zero Emission Day, or ZeDay as it is also known as, is now a globally celebrated day for universal benefit.

HISTORY OF ZERO EMISSIONS DAY:

On March 21, 2008, a US based graphic design firm 'Sealevel' in Halifax, launched a website calling for September 21 to be a day for a global moratorium on fossil fuel consumption - with the core purpose of giving our planet a day off in a year.

The date was selected partly because it is the autumnal equinox with equal lengthy days and nights and, also because it is the United Nations’ International Day of Peace. Since then, ZeDay has become a worldwide movement and is observed annually often with a different theme encouraging collective action and creativity.

The guidelines for the 24 hour period on September 21 are simple and practically doable. The principal pointers are:

• Don’t use or burn oil, gas or coal.

• Minimize or even eliminate the use of electricity powered by fossil fuels.

• Opt for clean and renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, biogas etc.

Basically, the day encourages everyone to do their bit by curbing their negative environmental impact as a result of their choices, behavior and actions.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ZEDAY

It is crucial that we as a society are extremely sensitive to the consumption of fossil fuels for various purposes. Electricity derived from fossil fuels is the biggest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Consequently, these emissions contribute to global warming and climatic changes ranging from sea level rise to changes in precipitation patterns and extreme weather events. The day, thus strongly encourages everyone globally to go off fossil fuels and hence reduce their carbon footprint, which collectively would make an enormous impact.

DOING YOUR BIT THIS SEPTEMBER 21:

Here's how you could participate in ZeDay yourself this September 21:

• Choose to bike, walk, car pool, or opt for public transportation.

• Plan a 'no-cook' meal to eat.

• Power down by avoiding the use of electricity for some time on the day itself. Or you could consider using a candle during the night on September 21.

• Detox digitally! Stay away from all electronics - completely. Unplug everything that is not essential. Plan a get together with family or friends, get into nature or play a sport.

A Moratorium on Oil

Zero Emissions Day or Zeday, as it is commonly referred, intends for a short-term respite from emissions and air pollutants caused due to the indiscriminate use of fossil fuels; so as to increase awareness on its associated impacts.

GREEN THUMB

Turn off lights when not in use. Put posters near light switches reminding people to turn off the lights.

Repair leaks in taps and the pipe networks. It takes energy to bring water into your homes and offices - so don't waste it, by wasting water.

Reduce waste - the lesser waste you create - the lesser needs to be transported, and so is the fuel that would be required for transporting it.

Eat local. Avoid eating food stuffs coming from far off places. Besides saving on fuel, you will also do your health a favor by loading up on locally sourced foodstuffs!

DID YOU KNOW?

• In India, 6.2 lakh mortalities are caused annually due to outdoor air pollution.

• Air quality in Goa is monitored by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) at three monitoring locations, one at Panaji (in a residential area), while the other two being located in the industrial zone in Vasco and Mormugao.