The Scottish planner and conservationist, Patrick Geddes came up with the phrase “Think Globally Act locally” and was used in the context of Environmental challenges faced by the world. It personifies the idea of fixing the world instead of waiting for some miracle to happen. Though on their own of negligible impact, in holistic approach, this can have a globally transformative effect. 

To think globally means that we must think collectively as all humans present on planet Earth share the same Environment managed by biodiversity working together in the frame of nature.  It’s not necessary to claim an intellectual notion; just being a responsible citizen can help us in achieving things.  With the advent of Globalization, the developed and the developing world has started to connect and share a common view on the Environmental issues. With the help of modern technology it is not difficult to influence the new global issues happening around. Today, sharing a simple post on social platform with a philosophical meaning can motivate people to do something big and better for the society.  

Rightly said by Woodrow T. Wilson, “We cannot be separated in interest or divided in purpose. We stand together until the end.”

This quote has a deep meaning embedded in it. All of us are connected and dependent on each other for the Environmental issues.  The real task is in minimizing the gap between the developing and the developed world in terms of their Environmental preferences and goals. Since developing economies tend to be most reliant on natural resource and are bearing much of the burnt of climate change, it’s more of a question of survival for them. However the developed world are now finding the sustainable solutions either by promising zero emissions or reduced emissions, but in order to meet the goals set by the developing countries they can’t cut the emissions all of a sudden and there is when the main problem arises.

Therefore, citizens of developing countries tend to have an extra effort in terms of the thinking and their way of acting thus becomes a huge drawback in accomplishing the target. While the impact of each individual citizen in developing countries will remain lower than in developed country counterparts for the coming future, therefore the decision making in the developing country will be the most important determinants of new and future local and global Environmental Issues. 

Firstly, in the developing world it is required to implement proper policies to protect their environment.  Secondly, making the citizens active participant of the decision making body. We as a part of the developing world can put our ideas and perception and work together as seen in sustainable developed country were multiple actors, research community, the student community along with their teachers have worked hard on this issue. We can even motivate the business community to make use of new innovations into their business models.

Even if we are a part of small scale business we can improve our service thus giving a positive message to the community. Above all social dialogue can help to monitor progress in all fields.  The light of unity and our combined small acts when multiplied by millions of people can transform the world. It’s all about the change of mindset as earth is what we all have in common.

(The writer can be reached at: adeebarouf77@gmail.com)