Changing Individual Carbon Footprints
- Anwita Sengupta
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Climate activism and the need for practical solutions to tackle global warming has become the need of the hour. With a growing coalition of countries, and other institutions pledging to get to net-zero emissions, there is a necessity for us even as individuals to do our bit. Especially considering that India is one of the 6 largest emitters of total greenhouse gas emissions according to the official website of the UN. Hence it becomes not just the government's, but also our responsibility as citizens to help mitigate said emissions. With more people having access to technology by the year 2035, Carbon Credits have huge potential here to make a difference.
Living in a metropolitan city like Mumbai, I have often witnessed the burning of plastic and other waste. A huge city produces a large amount of waste on a day to day basis, and there is no place for the waste in the already full land-fills. Thus it is important to imbibe a waste management system by taking inspiration from other cities that already have an efficient system in place. By the year 2035, with well managed and effective waste management systems, where waste is segregated into biodegradable, non-biodegradable, hazardous or sanitary waste, and plastic waste, the process of recycling waste will become much smoother.
Thus I'd like to introduce the concept of "Micro-carbon credits" (MCCs), being the equivalent of 10 kg of CO2 emissions; assigning an MCC serial number to every citizen in the country. By adding MCCs to one's name via proven activities that lower emissions, we can create a system similar to the Carbon Tax system — wherein individuals polluting above a threshold level will have to pay a tax, or buy MCCs from other individuals below the threshold limit, willing to sell theirs.
My main idea is to create an app at the national level, where just like bank accounts, everyone can sign in via their MCC serial number and keep a tab on their MCC balance. The app will provide multiple services and contact details based on the city or district you are in; such as small businesses that recycle clothes to create mats, bags, and other fabric items; organisations that recycle plastic waste to create roads, bricks, and other structures so it isn't dumped in landfills nor incinerated; places to sell your wet waste to and get it converted to compost; and even NGOs taking initiatives that you can join to increase your MCCs like planting and maintaining trees in your locality.
Through the app, individuals can participate in activities that lower their carbon footprint, and increase their MCC. The app will use AI to verify these actions, as a picture of the clothes given for recycling, or the plastic being deposited, or the waste being sold will be uploaded, and the AI will have to verify it to prevent anyone from deterring the credibility of the individual, or the organisation whose services they are utilising. Thus AI will be used to increase transparency and reduce the chances of fraudulent claims. The idea for my project stems from systems that we already have in place rather than rebuilding one from scratch; such as the system of AADHAAR already in place, and by 2035 we should have an ideal waste management system in the most polluting cities if not in our entire country.
While there may be technical issues such as the app may lag if its open to an audience of nearly 1.5 billion, and people might be sceptical about privacy as this concept is new; but with the formation of environmental policies, rules & regulations, and transparency between the app developers, the government, and the citizens; these problems can be solved.
This project will benefit communities, green businesses, and the environment around us the most. People can bond over tree plantation drives, support small and upcoming enterprises, local NGOs, and reconnect with nature. This project has the potential to start a green national movement too- as people will be motivated by seeing the difference they are making by reducing their carbon footprint, or be inspired by others to be even better, eco-friendly versions of themselves.
Lastly, a "Best Citizen" honour may also be awarded to people from each state — to the ones who have acquired the maximum MCCs in the particular year. This will encourage others to give their best shot at saving nature because we have just one home, one Mother Earth that we must do our best to save.
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