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The irony is how we portray an image of helplessness yet ignore little efforts that can go a long way in helping to alleviate the world's supposed global warming problem.  Look no further than the ATM machines deployed in Honiara to see how our little precious resources are wasted without care for the world's dwindling resources.

Lifhaus reporters were out on the prowl again and witnessed the alarming increase in ATM receipts that litter the immediate vicinity of the machine and even further on.

"Most people that I know simply accept the printed receipt then throw them away." said our Marketing guru when Lifhaus found a Westpac ATM littered with receipts.  "Even I do that sometimes but it is becoming a major concern because the ATM bins are never emptied and some people simply throw them away."

Our Senior Lifhaus Administrator commented, "...overseas, you do get a prompt that asks if you wish to print the receipt with a warning about the declining forests resources and how a simple act like not printing the receipt can go a long way in reducing our reliance on our forest resources."  Lifhaus questions the objective of environmental evangelicals who preach about everything green but overlook simple acts like reducing the number of receipts that not only litter but contribute to the abuse of forest resources.

"It is imperative that when we want to tell the world that our islands are sinking beneath the waves, we must not only focus on the big picture.  That the bigger more powerful nations are not doing enough - we must also realize that our reckless and careless behaivour does also have an impact on our global environment."

But opinion is widely divided, some people simply ignoring the issue and claiming that it is not as damaging as the actions of developed nations who pollute with their emissions.  "Others are concerned and agree with Lifhaus reporters, while the third group simply did not know that this was a major issue."  Global corporate organizations have also taken part in the initiative by putting a message at the footer of each email that unless it is absolutely necessary, "you should not print the contents of the email."  Actions like this encourage people to think about the actions that may have a negative impact on the global environment.  "Of course people in many Pacific Islands do not have a large carbon footprint but it is almost hypocritical to speak of the actions of others and simply ignore your own contribution to the problem" said our Senior Lifhaus Administrator.

Lifhaus urges banking giants like ANZ, Westpac and BSP to take the leading role in this problem.  "It is time to educate the public and corporate citizens like banks who distribute paper vouchers and receipts must take the lead in educating our people.  Otherwise, they can do a whole lot of good by cleaning up their own rubbish."

 One of the ways banks can join the global campaign against wastage is to ensure that receipts are only optional.  "Printing the receipt is a default option on our local ATM's.  Banks should ensure that the receipt is only printed when the customer really wants to print the receipt for their records." our reporters concluded.