Consumerism is pushing us toward a global disaster of mammoth proportions

Internationally, climate change, or the global warming phenomenon, has become better known only recently, thanks to the efforts of former US vice-president Al Gore.

Bhichit, who started his "green" campaign in Thailand more than a decade ago, said that severe climate patterns around the world are hurting the agricultural sector.

For example, these changes are making it more difficult for farmers to manage their crop output.

Climate change would also lead to new diseases and epidemics, he said, sharing in the now popular opinion that excesses caused by capitalism and consumerism could well be blamed for today's numerous climate-related problems.

In his opinion, global resources are limited but the world's population continues to grow. The rise has been significant - from about 4 billion just a few decades ago to 6 billion today - a pattern that would be clear to all as something that is not sustainable.

Additionally, there has been the trend of increased disparity between urban and rural access to resources.

However, it is the rural folk who have had to face far more severe consequences caused by excess energy consumption - a phenomenon common with urbanites.

For example, a large number of people in urban and suburban areas use air-conditioning at home and the office. This requires large amounts of electricity which has to be produced in coal-fired power plants. These power plants are major polluters because they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and contribute in a big way to the global warming phenomenon.

It is to avoid this that alternative energy sources, such as wind and solar power or nuclear power plants, should be considered.

Ironically, the rural population, which hardly ever uses air-conditioners, suffers the damage caused by global warming, and this is reflected in the adverse effect on their farms' output, which is their only source of livelihood.

Bhichit also believes that the increased depletion of natural resources, driven by the growing demands from a capitalist system, leads to higher instances of forest degradation and increased frequency of natural disasters, such as more landslides.

Thus, one can say that mismanagement of natural resources, disasters and environmental degradation as well as global warming are all inter-related.

These issues could be tackled far more effectively if HM the King's initiatives on sufficiency economy are adopted to promote a better balance in economic and resource management as well as in people's way of life.

The royal initiatives are also consistent with Buddhism's middle-path concept, which should be helpful in dealing with excesses in capitalism as well as consumerism.

Bhichit also urged people and governments to do more to change their lifestyles and public policies in the wake of the global-warming

phenomenon.

While the Thai government's energy-saving campaign is fine, conservation alone is insufficient, he said.

For example, turning off light bulbs can reduce the greenhouse-gas emissions by a meagre 0.6 per cent.

Hence, unprecedented adaptation is going to be inevitable in coming decades to deal with the remaining 99.4 per cent of greenhouse gases.

In his opinion, it is time to ponder over building a comprehensive infrastructure to prevent Bangkok from going under water, for instance.