Inspiring story of carbon negative country Bhutan

In this article, we are going to explore about the carbon-negative country, Bhutan. Where each country is talking about being a carbon-neutral country, Bhutan is the one country to be carbon-negative. We are going to talk about the reasons of Bhutan being the carbon-negative country and how we can also learn from world carbon-negative country. Bhutan is a small country, neighbour of India and China. It is one of the world's first carbon-negative country.

What does it mean to be carbon negative?

carbon footprint shows the carbon amount in the environment . Human activities result in more carbon dioxide in our environment. Immense of carbon dioxide disturbs the balance in our environment. When the level of carbon dioxide becomes more than the oxygen level, it is said to be carbon-positive.

It means to be carbon negative when the level of oxygen is more than the carbon dioxide in the environment.

Bhutan, along with Panama and suriname are carbon negative country.

Carbon neutrality is maintaining the level oxygen in the environment equal to the carbon dioxide.

More about Bhutan

Bhutan is the country in South Asia situated in Eastern Himalaya between China and India. Bhutan is a country with the population of 160th rank in the world. It is governed by monarchy.

Jigme singye wangchuk , fourth king of Bhutan prioritised sustainability more than country development in Bhutan. He gave more important to Gross National Happiness (GNH) over Gross development product (GDP). This helps Bhutan to be carbon negative country.

Bhutan is covered with 72% of forest area. Its constitution also says about maintaining the 60% of forest cover for the ecological balance and diversity.

Why Bhutan is carbon negative?

Bhutan is carbon negative because if focus more on gross national happiness over Gross development product. It has 70% of forest cover in their country that absorbs carbon dioxide from environment and gives oxygen.

Sustainable practices
Bhutan government more emphasized on eco-friendly practices, providing subsidy on LED and hydropower electricity. Bhutan produces a big percentage of electricity using hydropower instead of thermal power plant that produces carbon dioxide.
In the year, plastic bags is banned in Bhutan since 1999. It focuses on renewable bags. It is also investing in electrical vehicles and provides subsidies for it.

Determination to be carbon negative

Bhutan government has adopted sustainable policies that refused to development that harms the nature. At 2009 Bhutan promises to stay carbon neutral forever. In 2015, it reiterated their promise being a carbon-negative countries. Its constitution also guarantees to be carbon-negative


Gross National Happiness

Bhutan doesn't measure its development product instead opted gross national happiness. GNP keeps importance on ecological diversity and preservation of natural environment. It is a vision of happiness of all living being of the environment. It works on four pillars that is sustainable development, environmental protection, cultural preservation and good governance.

Annual tree ceremony

Bhutan has won record for planting a large number of tree in our that also helps in absorbing more carbon dioxide from the air in Bhutan. It is a tradition of planting tree annually in Bhutan that is known as Tsechu.

Despite of being a carbon negative country Bhutan is no unknown to the effect of Climate Change. It undergoes major landslide and flood due to melting of Himalayan Glacier. It is because surrounded by the major producer of greenhouse gases India and China.

What we can learn from Bhutan?

Prioritising nature over GDP
Everyone talks about balancing and its importance in each sphere of life but when it comes to development there is no balance between nature and development. It leads to more exploitation of nature. We should understand that the development is not possible without nature. Extinction of nature on the name of development isn't worth it. Each country and individual should turn to sustainable development to ensure development without exploitation.

Adopting sustainable practices
Bhutan was determine to commit to sustainable practices. It was achieved through less energy consumption minimising this production, clean Energy and transportation, supporting eco-friendly products and business. Bhutan can teach the world to follow sustainable libing for sustainable development. Gradually shifting to sustainable living in everyday life can make sustainability happen.

Coexistence
Bhutan focuses on coexistence of each living beings in the nature. Coexistence of all living beings in the nature maintain ecological diversity fostering its beauty. Keeping others life in mind we can go for better choices for our nature.

Afforestation
Bhutan teaches the world the value of trees for clean air. It shows that how a portion of country turned into forest can you to reduce the impact of harm done by urbanization.

Cultural view of nature

Buddhism religion of Bhutan focuses on well being of nature and all other living beings. They respect nature which can be seen through their tradition of annual trees ceremony which is known as Tsechu. We can learn from this to make nature conservation as our tradition. We can practice ritual of planting trees on birthdays or at some other special events. We can connect so many conservation practice to our traditions.

Conclusion

Bhutan can teach the world being carbon-negative country that is it is not possible for a country to maintain carbon neutrality. It proves that good policy initiative of government can reduce the effect of Climate Change. Community Corporation can make it possible for each country. Embracing sustainable lifestyle and good strategies can fulfill environment is goals of the country. Bhutan is an inspiring source for all of us to go for pursuit of sustainability. It sets an example for all countries of the world.

See more on this blog:

Refuse reduce reuse recycle and then what?

Climate change in India with its solution



References:

https://hir.harvard.edu/carbon-negativity-in-bhutan-an-inverse-free-rider-problem/

https://earth.org/bhutan-carbon-negative-country/

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/climatechange/dragons-data-and-clouds-bhutans-journey-carbon-markets-technology-and-resilient#:~:text=Bhutan%20is%20the%20world's%20first,Bhutan's%20holistic%20approach%20to%20development.

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