BHUTAN FOR LIFE

THIS COUNTRY ISN'T JUST CARBON NEUTRAL - IT'S CARBON NEGATIVE

 In the above video Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay shares the vision for Bhutan and a dream that can be dreamed by other countries in the world for a carbon neutral world. As the title goes, Bhutan is carbon negative and has net carbon sink for more than 4 million tons of carbon each year. In spite of not contributing to global warming, Bhutan is yet bearing the brunt of it. In association with WWF, Bhutan government is working towards a funding programme called BHUTAN FOR LIFE for the conservation of environment since Bhutan is a global biodiversity hot spot.  

 Bhutan for life is a funding initiative that provides a sustained flow of finance to maintain the country's protected areas and biological corridors for perpetuity (which is 14 years until Bhutanese government takes care of the entire cost without foreign assistance). Bhutan is considered to be a third world country. Hence, 'Bhutan for Life'. The program consists of investments in:

• Strengthening the management of protected areas
• Diversifying eco-tourism activities as the general tourism routes get saturated 
• Protecting and monitoring wildlife and biodiversity
• Supporting people with job creation and income generating opportunities. 

This is a simple model to follow for rest of the world. Most of the governments and policy makers have been taking active steps towards carbon neutrality but their carbon emissions are far too high to achieve neutrality. That is where involving the citizens is a must. At a micro level each individual should know about carbon emissions, carbon sink & carbon neutrality;its impact on the planet. Education of sustainable development is the key towards carbon neutral planet. This is a major element that is missing from the 'Bhutan for Life' funding program for other countries to follow;educating the people for a green future. 

The lack of education on sustainable living is going to set us back.At the moment people are either turning a blind eye to the problem or don know how to live sustainably. Education will help make people change their life styles. Making a documentary like 'An Inconvenient Truth' by Al Gore will open eyes for many.  Instead of horoscope in news paper dailies, editors should have a column on sustainable living. Children at school should be taught about the grave issue on hand. 

The united nations have proposed education of sustainable living but I wonder if it is getting enough eye balls on their web page. The cup of knowledge is filled by one drop at a time. That cup of each 6 billion individuals should be filled sooner than later for a better tomorrow. 

References:

http://www.wwfbhutan.org.bt/bhutan_for_life/

http://www.worldwildlife.org/projects/bhutan-committed-to-conservation

https://www.2degreesnetwork.com/groups/2degrees-community/resources/bhutan-model-rest-world-should-follow/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lc_dlVrg5M