There is an ongoing debate about whether the public is responsible for looking after the environment, or whether governments play a more substantial role. This essay will discuss both sides of the argument, while elaborating on how officials and people working together would yield the best results in the long run.
On the one hand, governments contribute to reduce environmental degradation by providing financial resources and the authority to implement strict regulations against the exploitation of nature. Firstly, they should allocate funds to preservation programs in order to mitigate environmental damages. A case in point is China, where numerous financial aid was invested on rehabilitation programs of the pandas, significantly restoring the population of this endangered species. Secondly, governments are empowered by the authority to impose stringent penalties on both corporations and individuals, who exploit the nature for economic profits. For example, in Germany, the stringent fines against excessive carbon emissions for industrial factories, have served as a powerful deterrent, ensuring factories implement greener policies.
On the other hand, inhabitants shoulder responsibility to adopt more sustainable lifestyles, as their daily habits can directly impact the environment. Although switching to eco-friendlier habits such as reducing water usage or turning off unnecessary lights may seem small steps, compared to large-scale policies of governments, such collective actions would substantially reduce people’s carbon footprint. Furthermore, public can bridge the gap when formal support falls short, by organizing volunteer works in order to take care of the Mother Earth. For instance, local environmentalists in Iran organize free events, in which they clean the forests with the aid of volunteers, leading to cleaner surroundings.
In conclusion, although governments’ role in environmental conservation is undeniable due to financial resources and legal powers to introduce rigorous laws, the public helps ensure comprehensive protection of environment by compensating authorities’ shortcomings.