An Inconvenient Truth

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.

Mahatma Gandhi

                                   

                                     

                         Ganga S Rautela

That climate change is happening and that too drastically can be fathomed even by a commoner. You just need to walk barely for five minutes at 11 am in Mumbai, the sweltering heat will walk the talk. You sweat profusely and consequently get exhausted faster than you can manage to take out that handkerchief! No tissues/wipes for me. 

 Anyways, such humid heat was almost non-existent even few years ago. Yet, is the public perturbed?  Looking at the indiscriminate and extensive use of single-use plastic, the signs are ominous. Let's hope, the UN focus on plastic menace this year will yield some benefits in the long run. 

Deliberately, I let the World Environment Day ( June 5) pass by, to see if people honour nature at least on that day and/or the following days. Newspapers still feature some stories and reminders. Lip service was missing this time in the social media. Even at schools too, there seem to be less murmur on nature. On one hand, some responsible companies like Godrej offers free disposal of electronic wastes, public of course feel little for the Mother Earth, filling up and creating new landfills. I spoke to Ganga S Rautela, former Director General, National Council of Science Museums (Ministry of Culture, Government of India). He comes from a generation who played in the fields and forests and therefore perhaps nurture nature more than the 'now' generation who takes pride in exhibiting their PlayStations and Bonsais', love nature in documentary films, stack holders with tissue rolls, use elevator/escalator to and from the gym ...the list goes on ...No, they don't believe in reducing usage of single-use plastic or re-using left-over food or recycling used water/wood/plastic etc. 

However, there are some inspiring voices from this generation as well who are sincere eco-warriors.Two years ago, in 2021, when I interviewed young, award- winning photographer and green activist, Aishwarya Sridhar, I got to know about her fight to save Panje- The Last Wetland in the form of her debut documentary film. Here goes my blog link.  

(http://scchangetheworld.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-chronicles-of-wandering-mind.html)

The introductory lines in her documentary film are still sad reflection of the time we struggle to live in.  

Losing our environment is not like losing an election. It means losing our entire future. No amount of money can buy that. It is very important that we preserve whatever we have left of our green and blue planet before it is too late....

 Rautela was clear when he observed that climate change cannot be reversed. "To mitigate or reduce impact of climate change (it cannot be reversed) we need to reduce emission of greenhouse gases, reduce consumption of high carbon foot-print material, practice low consumption lifestyle and adopt green lifestyle to reduce burden on Earth's resources", he observed. 

I wonder the reason behind public apathy. Even the public properties for some years now have been designed to win attention in prioritising climate care. Few years ago, I saw some thought-provoking graffiti on the railway platform bridges in suburban Mumbai. One of them left such an indelible impression on me that I went back and took this picture on June 6, 2023. Now, it is a bit worn-out, but the message is loud and clear and of course so alarming!! 

 

   Photo courtesy: Sudeshna Chatterjee 

Once you read the lurking threats, may be, just may be and hopefully, you, my dear  readers, who still feign ignorance, could turn into another eco-warrior and make your first new year resolution, never mind six months down the line. Small but consistent remedial measures can go a long way in keeping our Earth habitat for the longest period of time. 

Sudeshna Chatterjee in conversation with Ganga S Rautela on the perils of modern-day living. 

Questionnaire

1)Ramon Magsaysay award winner Sonam Wangchuk, founder, Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh and co- founder SECMOL, said: "We hear about war among countries, but the impact of the war on nature is much worse. Today, lot more people are dying in calamities that occur due to the changing environment".

What is your views on this observation? 

It is true that there is a war on nature, that is destroying it and making irreversible changes. These changes are putting our own life into danger. For example, snow is melting earlier compared to long-term average. Just scan the factsheet below to understand the gravity of the situation.

 

Global temperatures rose about 1.8°F (1°C) from 1901 to 2020.

Global sea-level rise rates have accelerated from 1.7 mm/year during the 20th century to 3.2 mm/year since the beginning of the present century.

Glaciers are shrinking: average thickness of 30 well-studied glaciers have decreased more than 60 feet since 1980.

The area covered by sea ice in the Arctic at the end of summer has shrunk by about 40% since 1979.

The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen by 25% since 1958, and by about 40% since the Industrial Revolution.

Our food supply depends on climate and weather conditions. Although farmers and researchers may be able to adapt some agricultural techniques and technologies or develop new ones, some changes will be difficult to manage. Like, increased temperature, drought, water shortage and diseases. Weather extremes create challenges for the farmers who put food on our tables. 

Climate change is already impacting human health. Changes in weather and climate patterns can put lives at risk. Heat is one of the most deadly weather phenomena. As ocean temperatures rise, hurricanes are getting stronger and wetter, which can cause direct and indirect deaths. Dry conditions lead to more wildfires, which bring many health risks. Higher incidences of flooding can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases, injuries, and chemical hazards. As geographic ranges of mosquitoes and ticks expand, they can carry diseases to new locations.

The most vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, people with pre-existing health conditions, outdoor workers, people of colour and people with low income, are at an even higher risk because of the compounding factors from climate change. 

Fresh water mostly comes from melting snow caps. Due to climate change, less snow is available, hence less water. This will turn water short society to water starved society in next 25 years or so.

2)Dalai Lama once said that unlike science, the religious tradition teaches the concept of forgiveness, tolerance and compassion. Scientists cannot help you change your emotion, only religion can. Do you agree? 

I personally believe that science and religion can have a meeting point when we talk of ultimate truth i.e. knowledge that explains the origin of universe, life forms or the phenomenona that happen in the universe or within our own Earth. You can define the ultimate truth by various names i.e. God or knowledge. Religion on the other hand is governed by faith. If you go back in history, there were no religion for several centuries, but there was an universe or life on earth. However, religion is indeed necessary for ensuring order, tolerance and compassion in society.

3)Many years ago, a birdwatcher told me that our feathered friends always keep themselves busy, even if it means idle talking in shrill notes! Over the years, I have been watching and feeding them and was floored by their discipline and community living. Something we, humans, are increasingly drifting away from.Your opinion?

Drifting from community living is inevitable and has happened since the Industrial Revolution which gave birth to industrial society or nuclear society. Animal world had no such revolution and will perhaps not have in future as well. So long the population keeps growing, industrial development is lopsided (centered in some geographical pockets) this phenomenon will keep happening as people will move or migrate in search of livelihood/employment.

                                                      

4)"The only thing greater than the power of the mind is the courage of the heart", says noted American mathematician, John Nash. Do you agree?

Power of mind is responsible for new ideas/innovations that transform society or make our lives easier. Power of the heart with its own intelligence is capable of transforming our views of money, health, relationships and success. There is definitely an interrelationship.                                                

                                                               

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