Through this survey some striking facts were noticed about the majority of population. It was found that most of the people were unaware of the importance of environment and its effect on their lives. They are living totally an ignorant life regarding their surroundings and environment and so cannot participate in pollution control.
Following is a conclusion deduced from the questionnaires.
� Knowledge about Pollution and other environmental issues.
Our survey questionnaires were prepared for three types of people. For educated adults, uneducated adults and school going children. From all the categories the answers regarding basic knowledge about environmental issues were disheartening. It was observed that majority of the people either didn�t know or didn�t care about what it is. Even in the educated adults category we came across and numerous people who were ignorant of the causes, remedies and forms of environmental problems.
� Concept of keeping localities and the city clean.
It was noted that majority of the people from all three categories did not have the concept of keeping the city or even their own localities clean. Throwing garbage and rubbish on the streets and roads or public places is not frowned upon. As parents do not educate or train their children about this, the children are growing up with the concept that it�s the authorities duty and responsibility. Many people consider it below them to pick garbage from the streets and roads.
� Concept of participating in environmental activities.
It was seen that most of the people from the educated class of the society did not bother to take any active part in the environmental activities. Highly qualified people were seen to be reluctant about participating in any pro environmental activities like walks, rallies and seminars. The same was seen in the children. They do take part in the school activities regarding environment but not with the spirit of an environmentalist but for the sake of being active in extra circular activities in school.
� Lack of the concept of recycling.
Majority of the people do not know what recycling is and those who do, do not bother to practice it and not even separate materials for recycling. The same is the case with the children categories but who can blame them when their elders are ignorant about the importance of recycling.
� Considering environmental problems a major threat.
It was seen in the uneducated category that most of the people did not consider pollution or any other environmental problem a major threat. Although majority of the educated people and the school going children consider it a major threat, they are not very enthusiastic about doing anything to prevent it.
The survey shows that these people don�t get enough opportunities to know about the dangerous situation around them where they have been living. There was an urgent need to make arrangements for the awareness program throughout the city. More shocking fact is that there is same degree of unawareness among the teachers as well. The teachers who are responsible for the future of any country and any nation themselves don�t know much about the environmental condition of their country and the ways to control the pollution. Now if the teachers are unaware children rightly do not know anything about their environment. Because of this drawback it is impossible for the grass root level to reach the enlightenment. There is no network as such for the information at this basic level. As every thing evolves from the perception, so it is a must to make the children conscious of this problem. As a result of this survey it was obvious that this awareness should be started from the grass root level. Students are the assets for any nation and are responsible for the upbringing of any country and that nation. Because of this very fact, Gopec decided to target all the schools in Karachi so that the light of knowledge can be spread to the generations through children so that they can fulfill the expectations of their nation.
� Grade-program ( Grass root Awareness Developing Program )
Keeping the conclusions of the survey in mind, Gopec developed a GRADE (Grass root Awareness Developing) Program to create awareness towards environmental and population control, among the future holders of this planet, on grass root level. It is designed to over come the dire need to create awareness among the masses in Pakistan starting from its biggest city Karachi. This program is further divided into two parts, which are:
� Activation of Environmental Clubs Program.
� Gardens and Nature Areas Project.
With the help if these projects we intend to bring about a social change, which would be slow but it�s effects would be very obvious in five year�s time.
To inspire a sense of stewardship for local and world environments.
We need to develop a sense of responsibility towards the world among the children. They should know that they owe something to this planet and that they are the ones who would either make it a good place to live in or make it even worse. They should be told the facts and them should be given the opportunity to study and observe it themselves and then come to the conclusion about what is right and what is wrong. We should help them develop a sense of responsibility as they have the future in their hands and they should realize that what their elders have done was wrong and that now it�s up to them to save this planet and make it a better place to live in and to leave for the next generations.
In this regard, we designed the below mentioned program for city of Karachi; and such a program can apply in other third worlds� countries to bring a change in awareness towards global environment.