SMS: Saving the Planet

The environment is becoming a concern in India with increasing industry and potential overpopulation. SMS companies have started to create an awareness of this issue. There are companies using the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) as a nodal centre for registering cases for the entire country. Users send SMS text messages to the Union environment ministry and also to the relevant state authority as a way of holding government officials to account, and can also be used for audit purposes.

In the UK, the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme Order was put in place in 2010 to encourage businesses to lower carbon dioxide emissions through connectivity to SMS gateways and energy-saving projects, helping offices to cut down on paper and optimise systems that connect and communicate with SMS gateways.

SMS is helping to raise awareness of the growing problem of carbon emissions and global warming, and through schemes like this, it's possible and easier for people to take action. Text messaging can get large numbers of people to contribute more conveniently.