Since past few years there have been severe summer heat, fire, floods, landslides and tornedoes. Youth today are sensing their future in frightening condition. They are also introspecting on what kind of world they are transferring to the future generations.

In cooler countries like US, there were no need of AC earlier. No longer so. In several parts of India summer is so intolerable, people are forced to buy coolers and AC, even if they have low income.  All this needs more coal or petrochemical products. This is now turning into a vicious cycle.  It seems things are getting out of control.  With growing consumption of consumer durable goods: AC, refrigerators, washing machines, fashionable garments etc.; automobiles: personal cars, high-end cars etc. and increase in travelling: air travels, AC rail or bus travels, the need for energy consumption is only increasing. Government is ensuring people should buy more, so that there will be market demand which may increase industrial activities and employment. There is a big ethical dilemma here. Mobile with an internet connectivity and AC are no more luxurious items but a necessity. Situation is worsening and the world cannot look back.

But good news among all the crises are companies, who are working hard on renewable energy. China has been contributing a lot in reducing the per unit cost of renewable energy by reducing the cost of solar cells, rechargeable batteries, and wind energy. World is also thinking about using more and more electric vehicles, where electricity can also be generated through solar, wind or sea current. However, this still continues to happen on a very small scale. As long as we do not have a sustainable solution for large scale use of renewable energy, there cannot be a solution to the energy crisis. It is also worth noting that with changing lifestyle, per head waste generation is also increasing. Solid waste needs proper segregation and collection so that wet or organic waste can be used for the generation of electricity and dry waste can be processed further.

Wherever possible with sharing and caring, we can rejuvenate the planet. This is only possible if we can enhance our self-control and actively engage in using and promoting environment friendly products and reducing our energy consumption. This is the most difficult thing to do to save our planet. The good news is that practice of meditation enhances self-control and would help us in making the right choices for our planet.

Rajayoga meditation focuses on how we can control our mind and therefore transform our lives. This self-control is the need of the hour to save ourselves and our planet.