The environment is a whole system of biological and physical activity in which several species, flora, fauna and human beings coexist; it is delicate and requires a lot of balance, which when disturbed has serious consequences. It is an important space that allows us to obtain water, food, fuel and raw materials that are used to manufacture items that are used in daily life. However, by abusing or misusing the natural resources obtained from it, we endanger it and exhaust it. Today, the air, the water and the land are becoming polluted, the forests are disappearing due to fires and excessive exploitation; likewise, animals are becoming extinct due to excessive hunting and fishing. The question arises around these premises. Do we take care of the environment?
What part of the environment in Riobamba has been neglected?
There are close concerns in Riobamba, such as the issue of solid waste collection that, in some way, disturbs the urban ecosystem where we develop. However, the vision, often limited from what is closest to us, prevents us from seeing all this set of actions that affect the environment, which is why very few actions have been seen, often isolated when it comes to moorlands, which is really where we should focus because, basically, the páramo is the one that provides us with the ‘vital liquid’ and different ecosystem services, and within Riobamba that should be our concern, especially to, in some way, guarantee the flows and the drinking water supplies.
What are the reasons why the environment has been affected?
I believe that the issue of pollution, in reality, is due to the high number of automobiles, that should be an issue that is discussed in the ‘Sultana’, especially due to the large amount of carbon dioxide emissions. Thus, in some way, an imbalance has been generated in nature, apparently the consequences are imperceptible to the public, specifically in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, so that, ‘inside the house’, we must sensitize ourselves and create awareness respect, and this can be done through daily practices that may be minimal, but which, in the end, when added up, have a very important connotation, such as the use of appropriate means of transport, the moderate use of energy electricity, that is, use it when necessary, also be aware of the amount of water used when washing dishes, in the daily shower, when brushing your teeth and others. In addition, there is the culture of managing solid waste that is usually produced at home, we have to recycle and reuse.
In this situation, what can we do?
Personally, I believe that these are circumstances that have not been seen to be addressed in depth in the city, despite isolated efforts, since there are actions that are not public knowledge, there is still a fairly important challenge, especially from the authorities who will take office, this situation should be put on the agenda. Also, as citizens we must take responsibility in this whole process, I think we all have to raise a joint minga, authorities and citizens, in order to be clear about the damage we are doing, no matter how minimal the carbon dioxide emission we generate , this is multiplied for each person, giving way to the processes that we are now experiencing, such as climate change, which is currently becoming more and more visible with the environmental imbalance that we have.
How does this imbalance in the environment affect citizens? and the fact that the public does not wonder, do we take care of the environment? It affects us in different ways, we are destroying our ecosystem, we are not being aware or sensitive to the environment in which we live with our families, and these alterations, for example in the moors, will cause future flows to be quite relegated, for It has begun to be said that in the future the wars will be for fresh water, which is a vital supply. In the absence of awareness, we believe that the fact that we throw a piece of paper on the street is not something major, but that action contributes to the future damage that our children will experience.