PACKAGING FRESH, CLEAN AIR FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

Some years ago as a very fresh adolescent, I remember telling anyone who cared to listen that we could source for, collect and package pure, fresh air for human consumption. I likened it to the packaging of water that is now big business today. But they told me off, as they always did whenever I came up with "crazy" ideas but I never let go.

At that time, though, the idea was so raw and I actually could not picture how the collecting, packaging and consumption would be done. As for the source, that was not a problem because my beloved Nigeria still has many naturally fresh regions. Well I kept that idea, along with many others, somewhere in my heart.

It was not surprising, when on 3rd March 2014, while I was surfing the internet, I came across a CNN report from Zhengzhou, China about packaged fresh air.  The media giant reported that residents in that community were "lining up for a chance to breathe fresh mountain air via sealed bags". These residents were eager to put on the masks and inhale the naturally fresh air. CNN posted pictures showing three generations (grandparents, parents and children) putting on these masks just to sniff in the air. The air that these people were breathing in from those packs was brought in from the mountains around that region, where the air is clean. A Natural Reserve Development company was responsible for this. "The company brought in 2,000 cans and 40 bags of air that had been vacuum-packed in Laojun Mountain". 

The air was being given away for “free” by the company as part of its marketing campaign and to create awareness about air pollution in that nation. The strategy worked as many people came out to enjoy the packaged air in the various locations where it was being given out.

My point is that we could have been the ones being reported in the news here had it been such an idea had been worked upon way back when it hit me. But who was willing to listen? I said it then and this year it has come to pass but, not in my country and not by my hands. Packaged fresh, clean air for human consumption is possible. 

There are many good things we can start here instead of depending on other nationals to do them for us. They think. They act. They create. We too can even do better.  Think. Act. Create.

Martin C. Eneh is a Media Practitioner and a Computer Technician. He loves ideas and believes in positive active change.