Global Warming

I was watching a documentary called “The 11th Hour” on HBO yesterday. It was a powerful document on Global Warming. Although many of us are aware of global warming and its effects at a superficial level, most of us do not realize the extent and the imminence of the danger facing our planet and the human race. Man’s scientific and technological advancement over the past century has almost irreparably damaged a beautiful ecosystem that was built over millions of years by Mother Nature. We have destroyed oceans and forests beyond recognition. Our chemicals have changed the basic composition of most of the soil in the world. Our wasteful consumption of resources is leaving less and less for other species to survive on. In fact, over 50,000 species are getting extinct from this planet every year. Human beings can be blamed for much of this. If things continue unaltered, there is a real danger that the quality of general human life will be irreparably damaged within our lifetime.

One must watch this documentary to learn some astonishing facts about the ruthless and mindless destruction caused by humans to this planet. The documentary tries to explore the core reasons behind such actions by the human race, which is after all, supposed to be the most intelligent and sensitive creature. However, we are also a race that is infested with greed and short-sightedness. Corporate money and corrupt governments have ensured that short term financial profits prevail over the long term survival and quality of life of the human race. But then, aren’t the men running corporations and governments not aware of global warming? Aren’t they aware of the mess they are creating? Aren’t they worried about the future of their grandchildren? Of course they are. But they are unable to make the connect between their actions and its impact on nature. But hey, these guys are well educated and highly intelligent. Then why is it that they refuse to accept the obvious and act appropriately? It all seems a bit illogical, isn’t it? The answer lies in the way we live Life today.

From the Bushmen of the Kalahari and the tribes of the Rainforests to the bourgeois of urban India and high street Manhattan, the way man lives and sees life is immensely different. Urbanization has caused man to move further and further away from nature and into an artificial ecosystem. It’s a system which has all material comforts and ‘protects’ man from nature’s harshness. Automobiles, air-conditioners, fertilizers, pesticides, deodorants, polythene, mobile phones, all of these make the world a ‘better place to live’. We have become so enamoured with our own inventions and creative ability that we seem to think that we are no more dependent on nature. We think that human technology will provide all the security and happiness than a man needs. All the material comfort around us have numbed us so much that we refuse to see how dependent we still are on nature. Somewhere down the line we have stopped respecting or loving all other creatures in this world. If we move outside the cities and move to the village and to the jungle, people still retain some sense and understand the connect between man and nature. Junglemen and villagers still worship nature and respect other creatures. But cities are where the money is and the power is. In today’s typical metropolis, one cannot afford the space for a garden. One cannot see the stars in the sky owing to pollution. One does not hear birds chirp. One does not see milk being extracted from cows. Perhaps the only way a city resident is connected to nature is through National Geographic channel! One would have heard of the term “out of sight, out of mind”. This is exactly what is happening to us. We have lost touch with nature because we don’t see it in action in our day to day lives. We don’t love or respect other creatures any more since we don’t see their contribution to our survival. We continue to waste electricity and burn petrol, the only concern being the electricity or petrol bill, rather than worrying about the melting polar caps or rising levels of asthma and cancer.

Social awareness is the most essential weapon needed in the arsenal to begin an effective assault against global warming. But we don’t have enough time for a ‘bottom up’ approach to work. We need socially conscious leaders who can give a push from the top. I sincerely hope that Barack Obama is one such leader. America has to lead the way in fighting against global warming. And countries like China and India cannot afford to sit on the sidelines claiming to be poor nations. Inaction will prove much more costly. Concerted government regulation is the only way to move forward. One has to accept the fact that Corporate Responsibility is an oxymoron.

Seven years of Obama’s reign could be a watershed moment in the fight against global warming. And as individual men and women who are from a well educated background, we too have our moral responsibilities. We can start with becoming aware of the nature around us. Let us swithch off the TVs and the laptops and start enjoying the sunrise, the full moon, the twinkling stars, the cool trees and the chirping birds. Lets go out to the mountains and woods on the weekend rather than to the multiplex or to the disc. The more we fall in love with nature, we would subconsciously be more responsible towards nature. When that happens, the first battle would’ve been won and we would’ve conscripted ourselves into the army fighting against global warming.

If you think I sound exaggerated and that there is no need for alarm, then please download and watch “The 11^th Hour”.