The Living Planet

The above photograph of Earth – from outer space - is one of the numerous ones available. There is another one, decades old - Pale Blue Dot taken by Voyager-I spacecraft from outskirts of our solar system. Our planet is not even a speck of dust on the cosmic scale.

But it is our home – and protect it we must.

Our Earth and humanity is currently facing a crisis of gargantuan proportions – greenhouse emissions, deforestation, rising sea temperatures & levels, many species becoming extinct or on verge of extinction, depleting groundwater levels, erratic weather patterns and the list goes on. What has taken billions of years evolution is being dismantled in few hundred years.

The industrial, scientific and technological revolutions and consequently the lifestyle choices we have adopted in the past and continue to do so now - for economic progress, ease of living, various other reasons – are predominantly responsible for the sorry state of affairs.

It is most likely to turn into an existential crisis in decades to come and future generations would be adversely impacted by the same.

To be blunt - we want to have the cake and eat it too.

In India, initiatives have been taken to at various levels to address the problem, some of which are -

• Segregated organic waste is being used to make compost manure or start worm culture.

• Many tea coffee vendors have stopped serving in plastic or paper cups. Instead, they now use disposable bio-degradable earthen cups or traditional washable thick glasses or ceramic cups.

• Some local authorities have started using waste plastic material for mixing with tar and bitumen for road surfacing to give enhanced bonding.

• Paper or biodegradable material carry bags are replacing plastic ones.

• Local authorities with help social organizations, communities have taken initiatives of cleaning beaches of plastics and junk.

• In certain cities water harvesting is now made mandatory for new housing constructions. This harvested excess rain water is used for plants, toilets etc. This is great initiative to conserve water – a precious resource.

• Due to rampant construction activities, nesting sites for birds had diminished. At one time few cities witnessed decline of population of local birds like the house sparrows, bulbuls etc. But environmentalist, wildlife enthusiasts have started placing wooden structures at various locations for local birds to nest. Their efforts have borne fruit and we are now seeing increase in the population of the native species.

I recollect that during my school and college days –

• There were no superstores, no carry bags. So, one had to carry one’s own cloth or jute bag for shopping. There were no plastic wrappers – it was wrapped in cardboard boxes or paper. We are back to those times.

• Cars were quite expensive and usually owned by the really well to do – and were considered a luxury. Using public transport or walking was the only viable cost-effective option for the hoi polloi. Taking a cue from the past, we have switched to walking for short distances and saving on fuel and in the process getting exercise.

• We were using tungsten filament bulbs, mercury tube lights. But now because of technological advances, they have made way for LED bulbs which consume less energy and generate less heat.

• Water supply was highly erratic. We had to store water in buckets and drums. This taught us to use water judiciously and avoid wastage – which we practice at present, even if water supply has improved.

• We used to get paper bills. But now internet advances has made it possible to switch to electronic bills and payments rather than paper bills and issuing checks – thereby saving paper.

Individual, corporate, government efforts, however great and well-intended – and should be commended – presently they are incapable of addressing the issue at hand. The situation is getting worse at much faster rate than our localized and inharmonious efforts can expect to address.

Perhaps, what is required is change in lifestyle choices and an understanding that we are unlikely to get best of both the worlds and consequently have to be prepared to make some sacrifices – individual, social, economic, political etc.

In 2020 when almost whole planet was in lockdown due to pandemic, we saw and experienced how nature tried to heal and regenerate itself to some extent.

Perhaps we should take a leaf from the nature’s book and turn the problem on its head.

It is upon all of us whether the Earth remains a "pale blue dot" or not.