Modern Technology owes Ecology an Apology...... An essay by Clare Mary Saji
Some years ago, if someone would speak on environment or on ecology such person was called ' crazy'. The reason is that during that time there were not many environmental problems. However, today’s situation is different. Due to technological progress human needs have increased. Few decades ago human beings were satisfied with what is called ' Roti, kapda aur makan’( food, clothing and shelter). But today human beings want all kinds of comforts and luxuries including variety of technical gadgets, thus generating more and more waste. Now the greenery is replaced with concrete jungles, rivers carry the industrial and factory pollutants, the air is impure and dusty, surroundings are filled with heaps and heaps of garbage. We have been shaken by many of the environmental issues eg: Global Warming, depletion of ozone layer, extinction of different species of plants and animals, increasing number of cancer and cardiac related diseases. This being the situation, if we want a better and a healthier tomorrow, we are compelled to speak on environment and work for it.
In this so called 'fast-paced’ world, we tend to forget about the environment around us. And it is exactly here that I would like to emphasize the genesis of the environmental problems around us. Because we still refuse to believe that it is a problem. Take for eg: The vast area of Mumbai with its increasing population, urban complexities, poor sanitation, traffic congestion and toxic pollution pose serious threats to the quality of life to the extent that breathing Mumbai’s air has been likened to smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day. In this context, don’t you think it’s high time we do something to save our mother earth before it is too late??
As human beings are the only rational animals, we believe that we have a right to dominate and therefore use, abuse and exploit the rest of the nature for our own use.
On 11th August, 1979 Gujarat witnessed one of the worst environmental disasters in the history when the 4 km long Machhu dam overtopped and collapsed destroying thousands of homes and lives. Survivors recalled that on the previous night of this fateful event, they heard some strange sounds of breakage and minor ruptures too, but did not take it quite serious. But those “ strange sounds” continue to surround us even today. The question is –‘ Are we listening enough'?
Well the ecological sufferings of today are the direct effects of human greed. Mankind’s obsession with modern economic development through ecologically suicidal ways has led to these “strange sounds” to grow louder and louder day by day as these are nothing but the groaning of the poor and the wailings of the mother earth. There is no water tight solution however which can be implemented to solve these problems easily. Despite of all the damages we have caused the environment, the good news is that most of it is reversible. All that is needed is the ' Sense of Responsibility'.
Little changes in our habits and way of thinking can go a long way in saving nature. Switching off lights and fans when not needed, closing the tap while brushing the teeth, initiating to cultivate by using organic manures, etc. are some of the simple steps from our part. No matter how small or insignificant our actions may seem, they matter. It only takes one person to start a movement that could possibly lead to major environmental breakthrough and often one person makes all the difference.
In the light of all these let us join our hands in repairing the damages done to nature because even now there is still hope left as many of the ecological damages can however be halted if only we listen and respond to those “Strange Sounds” of the wailing of the mother Earth seriously.
Essay drafted by Clare Mary Saji, XI Humanities