All Nature’s wilderness tells the same story-The shocks and outbursts Of Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Geysers…Storm Of every sort – Each and all are the beauty making the love beats of Nature’s Heart.
Picture this – A naked Himalayas deprived of its snow peak mountain ranges, An Alaska with no Grizzly bears, An Antarctica with no snow and no penguins to stroll around its icy shores, An Amazon with countable number of trees and a Sunderbans that lacks the roar of the Royal Bengal Tiger – These surely doesn’t give a picturesque description, does it? Our Universe was formed about fourteen Billion Years back and it gave birth to our Earth eight billion years later. This third rock from the Sun is surely an amazing place- it’s not just a planet…it is Home to tens of Thousands of species that adorn her surface. We, humans, are a proud member of a family called Earth and have the distinction of being the ones with best minds and with an ability to put it to good usage.
In early times, we were involved in Organic Farming. The conventional knowledge and wisdom used to be transferred from one generation to the other. This vision was prudent and well in line with the ecological necessity. But, then man invented machine. 19th Century saw an intense transformation in almost every sphere of human operation. The Industrial Revolution was seen as a giant leap for the progress of Human race. But, to be frank, we were myopic and failed to see the future implication of our greed for technology and minting money. The vices and virtues of traditional farming started fading away giving rise to ‘commercial’ farming. Things became worse during the World Wars when man started spraying Insecticides and used various pesticides on crops. This depleted the nutrient content of various food items. With the Green Revolution, India too bid adios to Organic Farming. The opportunity Cost of all these changes was too high for the various life-forms on Earth. In a blind chase for money, power and prowess, we started to ignore the fundamental and federal rules that govern life on our mother planet. The conventional jungles are being replaced by Concrete Jungles at an inconveniently fast rate. Gone is the time when an Indian would proudly ask a foreigner to take a plunge into the Yamuna as now she suffers from an illness given to her by her sons & daughters. The picture is not so good even with the Ganges. Industries’ and Human Society’s irresponsible behaviour might see the purity of the Ganges reduced to a text book literature. We have been felling trees for ages and this has arisen out of human necessity, but why can’t we plant two for each felled? The climate is changing, even as I write this and even when you read this. Svante Arrhenius, a Swedish scientist had predicted that human activities would interfere with the way the Sun interacts with the Earth, resulting in Global Warming and Climate Change. As per certain statistics, our Earth is 0.3 to 0.6 degree centigrade warmer that what it was hundred years ago and to make matters worse, scientists fear a 1.0 to 6.0 degree centigrade rise in the global average temperature in the 21st Century. Sea level, consequently, may rise by 9cm to 88 cm during the same time period. This would alter the evaporation and precipitation patterns and would lead to serious problems pertaining to water resources. Global Warming leads to destructive coastal flooding, fierce storm surges and erosions. A primary study on the impact of 1 meter sea level rise on India’s coastline indicates that 0.41% of India’s coastal area will be inundated. Reports also suggest that Cochin Region is found affected by Petroleum Hydrocarbons. Australia, has, for ages taken pride in The Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system in the world. But these coral formations are adversely affected by rising e temperatures. With the increase in the sea temperature, Coral bleaching has become a more frequent phenomenon than ever before. Ship breaking, transport, tourism and other industrial activities including oil spills and discharge of effluents are proving to be detrimental to the purity of our water bodies. The Coastal zone management plans around the globe seem to be inadequate or lack conviction on the part of those who implement it. There are also various types of solid wastes that include heterogeneous mix of papers, plastics, clothes and many more. Toxic substances like Sulphur Dioxide are not only cause of illness for human beings but they also affect the beauty of our adorable monuments like the Taj Mahal.
Scientists have noted depletion in the Ozone layer- the layer that protects us from the harmful Ultraviolet rays of the Sun. The reason for its depletion is attributed to the release of CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) and ODS (Ozone Depleting Substances) as these are relatively stable and do not dissolve in the rain waters. A single molecule of CFC destroys Hundred thousand molecules of Ozone. This leads to a greater risk of eye and skin related diseases. One of the worst affected regions by this depletion is the South Pole. Mumbai’s flood bears a testimony to what wrong we are doing. The planet is hit by series of earthquakes and tsunamis on a scale which was never seen before. Hurricane Katrina ripped apart several houses in America. Scientists used to say that South Atlantic region was insulated from Hurricanes but Brazil was soon hit by one. Arctic ice caps have acted as mirrors that reflect the sunlight so as to keep the earth’s temperature in balance, but, they are melting now. The land based ice is melting fast, raising the water level across the globe. The Pine Beetle and the spruce trees in Alaska may soon be seen only in picture books. There are several other ill effects. What we must understand is that it is our responsibility as citizens of the planet to protect her. We must pay attention to the warnings and must follow the recommendations of the scientists.
The resolve of one person in America led to the abolishment of slavery and that of another in Africa led to the end of racial apartheid. Mahatma Gandhi led a Nation to achieve her Independence by peaceful and non-violent means. A united world saw the fall of the tyrant Hitler and the tearing of the Berlin Wall. These incidents restore the faith of an ordinary human in the unity of Human Civilization. Whenever we have stood united, we have achieved our desired goals. Today’s situation may be perplexing, but sure has a way out. Our conviction should transcend all geographical and political barriers in favour of man kind. The United Nations must be involved into the issue more seriously as we cannot afford more meetings with No outcomes. Nations like the United States of America and Australia must sign the Kyoto Protocol to help check the emission of harmful gases from their soil. USA accounts for about thirty percent of all hazardous gases released in the atmosphere. We must make up our mind so that our path of development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable Development should be the watchword. We should take the initiative on a personal level. We should make use of public transport and minimize the use of personal vehicles. It should be our moral obligation not to smoke and not to use plastic bags, than a legal one. Industries must use filters and other techniques to make sure that they do not harm the environment. We must make more eco-friendly appliances and check the redundant usage of electricity. No matter what stream we belong to, we must make sure that there prevails a strong political will in favour of changes that would help our future generations. I see no reason why we can’t do this. Coming generations have as much right to see the different wonders of the world as we do. Let them see the sweeping eagle over the winding river, the lilies of the field and the turtles of the sea for they would be glad that their ancestors were prudent and cared for them. William Wordsworth, in “Written in Early Springs” writes:
Picture this – A naked Himalayas deprived of its snow peak mountain ranges, An Alaska with no Grizzly bears, An Antarctica with no snow and no penguins to stroll around its icy shores, An Amazon with countable number of trees and a Sunderbans that lacks the roar of the Royal Bengal Tiger – These surely doesn’t give a picturesque description, does it? Our Universe was formed about fourteen Billion Years back and it gave birth to our Earth eight billion years later. This third rock from the Sun is surely an amazing place- it’s not just a planet…it is Home to tens of Thousands of species that adorn her surface. We, humans, are a proud member of a family called Earth and have the distinction of being the ones with best minds and with an ability to put it to good usage.
In early times, we were involved in Organic Farming. The conventional knowledge and wisdom used to be transferred from one generation to the other. This vision was prudent and well in line with the ecological necessity. But, then man invented machine. 19th Century saw an intense transformation in almost every sphere of human operation. The Industrial Revolution was seen as a giant leap for the progress of Human race. But, to be frank, we were myopic and failed to see the future implication of our greed for technology and minting money. The vices and virtues of traditional farming started fading away giving rise to ‘commercial’ farming. Things became worse during the World Wars when man started spraying Insecticides and used various pesticides on crops. This depleted the nutrient content of various food items. With the Green Revolution, India too bid adios to Organic Farming. The opportunity Cost of all these changes was too high for the various life-forms on Earth. In a blind chase for money, power and prowess, we started to ignore the fundamental and federal rules that govern life on our mother planet. The conventional jungles are being replaced by Concrete Jungles at an inconveniently fast rate. Gone is the time when an Indian would proudly ask a foreigner to take a plunge into the Yamuna as now she suffers from an illness given to her by her sons & daughters. The picture is not so good even with the Ganges. Industries’ and Human Society’s irresponsible behaviour might see the purity of the Ganges reduced to a text book literature. We have been felling trees for ages and this has arisen out of human necessity, but why can’t we plant two for each felled? The climate is changing, even as I write this and even when you read this. Svante Arrhenius, a Swedish scientist had predicted that human activities would interfere with the way the Sun interacts with the Earth, resulting in Global Warming and Climate Change. As per certain statistics, our Earth is 0.3 to 0.6 degree centigrade warmer that what it was hundred years ago and to make matters worse, scientists fear a 1.0 to 6.0 degree centigrade rise in the global average temperature in the 21st Century. Sea level, consequently, may rise by 9cm to 88 cm during the same time period. This would alter the evaporation and precipitation patterns and would lead to serious problems pertaining to water resources. Global Warming leads to destructive coastal flooding, fierce storm surges and erosions. A primary study on the impact of 1 meter sea level rise on India’s coastline indicates that 0.41% of India’s coastal area will be inundated. Reports also suggest that Cochin Region is found affected by Petroleum Hydrocarbons. Australia, has, for ages taken pride in The Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system in the world. But these coral formations are adversely affected by rising e temperatures. With the increase in the sea temperature, Coral bleaching has become a more frequent phenomenon than ever before. Ship breaking, transport, tourism and other industrial activities including oil spills and discharge of effluents are proving to be detrimental to the purity of our water bodies. The Coastal zone management plans around the globe seem to be inadequate or lack conviction on the part of those who implement it. There are also various types of solid wastes that include heterogeneous mix of papers, plastics, clothes and many more. Toxic substances like Sulphur Dioxide are not only cause of illness for human beings but they also affect the beauty of our adorable monuments like the Taj Mahal.
Scientists have noted depletion in the Ozone layer- the layer that protects us from the harmful Ultraviolet rays of the Sun. The reason for its depletion is attributed to the release of CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) and ODS (Ozone Depleting Substances) as these are relatively stable and do not dissolve in the rain waters. A single molecule of CFC destroys Hundred thousand molecules of Ozone. This leads to a greater risk of eye and skin related diseases. One of the worst affected regions by this depletion is the South Pole. Mumbai’s flood bears a testimony to what wrong we are doing. The planet is hit by series of earthquakes and tsunamis on a scale which was never seen before. Hurricane Katrina ripped apart several houses in America. Scientists used to say that South Atlantic region was insulated from Hurricanes but Brazil was soon hit by one. Arctic ice caps have acted as mirrors that reflect the sunlight so as to keep the earth’s temperature in balance, but, they are melting now. The land based ice is melting fast, raising the water level across the globe. The Pine Beetle and the spruce trees in Alaska may soon be seen only in picture books. There are several other ill effects. What we must understand is that it is our responsibility as citizens of the planet to protect her. We must pay attention to the warnings and must follow the recommendations of the scientists.
The resolve of one person in America led to the abolishment of slavery and that of another in Africa led to the end of racial apartheid. Mahatma Gandhi led a Nation to achieve her Independence by peaceful and non-violent means. A united world saw the fall of the tyrant Hitler and the tearing of the Berlin Wall. These incidents restore the faith of an ordinary human in the unity of Human Civilization. Whenever we have stood united, we have achieved our desired goals. Today’s situation may be perplexing, but sure has a way out. Our conviction should transcend all geographical and political barriers in favour of man kind. The United Nations must be involved into the issue more seriously as we cannot afford more meetings with No outcomes. Nations like the United States of America and Australia must sign the Kyoto Protocol to help check the emission of harmful gases from their soil. USA accounts for about thirty percent of all hazardous gases released in the atmosphere. We must make up our mind so that our path of development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable Development should be the watchword. We should take the initiative on a personal level. We should make use of public transport and minimize the use of personal vehicles. It should be our moral obligation not to smoke and not to use plastic bags, than a legal one. Industries must use filters and other techniques to make sure that they do not harm the environment. We must make more eco-friendly appliances and check the redundant usage of electricity. No matter what stream we belong to, we must make sure that there prevails a strong political will in favour of changes that would help our future generations. I see no reason why we can’t do this. Coming generations have as much right to see the different wonders of the world as we do. Let them see the sweeping eagle over the winding river, the lilies of the field and the turtles of the sea for they would be glad that their ancestors were prudent and cared for them. William Wordsworth, in “Written in Early Springs” writes:
I heard a thousand blended notes
While in a grove I sate reclined,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.
To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to think
What Man has made of Man.
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