When nature stops cooperating
In Short
Nepal’s recent tragedy is a stark reminder of humanity’s vulnerability to nature’s fury and the growing consequences of climate change. As warning signs become impossible to ignore, the time has come to rethink our relationship with nature and adopt sustainable ways of living
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When nature stops cooperating
The devastating scenes emerging from Nepal have once again shown us how powerless human beings can become when Nature decides to unleash its fury. For years, scientists have been telling us that climate change will make weather patterns increasingly unpredictable. We have heard these warnings, discussed them, debated them and then returned to our usual lives. But there comes a point when a scientific prediction stops being merely a prediction and begins appearing before our eyes as reality. The recent crisis in Nepal is yet another reminder of that uncomfortable truth. There is no doubt that this crisis situation was unexpected, yet one cannot deny the fact that this situation has arrived due to man’s own deeds. The situation across the globe is becoming so bad that there is only one thought that comes to everyone’s mind ‘Is there nothing we can do against nature’s fury?’ Does this question really need an answer?
Despite galloping scientific achievements that mankind has witnessed, we have never been able to question the invincibility of Nature. While the textbooks are filled with lessons on all kinds of natural calamities, yet there is still no breakthrough on any natural calamity prediction mechanism. In such a scenario, the best bet for any country to deal with such a horrendous event is to be prepared for the worst, while hoping for the best. A recent scientific study into climate change has concluded that almost all of the summer sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is likely to disappear late this century because of global warming. Such an eventuality is inevitable because of the unstoppable momentum of global warming, which is being caused by the emission of greenhouse gases which trap heat in the atmosphere, raising the average temperature produced by automobiles and industrial activity.
It has taken many scientists long to accept the fact that the world’s climate is changing because of human activity. The burgeoning human population, increasing industrial activity, deforestation and the rampant exploitation of the earth’s natural resources have altered our ecosystem irreversibly. The devastating consequences of this are now becoming apparent. However, in spite of all these happenings, experts are unwilling to look at the bigger picture, and instead offer local phenomena as the explanation. But it is obvious that the earth’s climate is changing, for the worse. From the mountains of Nepal to the melting ice of the Arctic, from unseasonal rains to rising seas, the message is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Nature does not need to defeat mankind; it merely needs to stop cooperating with us. But we are still ignoring these warning signs in our preoccupation with achieving economic growth. Instead of learning from our mistakes, we are trying to outsmart nature. However, we forget that no amount of technology or money can save us from nature’s wrath when it comes. Hence, we need to understand that it’s still not too late, even now there is time to change our course towards more sustainable, nature-friendly practices (if we have a will to do so). It only requires a change in our mindset, from that of acquisition and consumption to one of sharing and caring. Remember! The recent tragedy in Nepal may be a warning that’s louder, closer and harder to dismiss. Still, if we continue living the way we have done so far, we may very well bring bigger disasters upon ourselves, and of the kind that will change the face of the earth. Think it over!
(The writer is a spiritual educator and popular columnist for publications across India, USA, UK, Australia, South Africa, Canada & Mauritius. 9900+ Published Columns have been written by Him.)
