By Zita Perera Subasinghe
What is it
with humans!! We are so productive that over the past few millennia we have
conquered the land, sea, air and outer space. We have climbed the highest
mountain, dived into the deepest sea. We have made discoveries which have made
life easier, given enjoyment, helped the needy and healed the sick.
We have
produced fine art of immense value; unravelled scientific principles which
helped understand life and made inventions of great value. We have, in the last
70 years understood the principles behind computers (complex devices which make
fast calculations, understand what is called cyberspace, and advanced in the
science behind computers so much that it has crept into every nook and cranny
of life and it dominates our world. But these make life enjoyable.
But man has
been so busy in his quest for going forward that now he is threatened by his
own success as the world and the environment we live in are retaliating and
opposing man by showing its disapproval. What it means is ‘we’ve become our own
enemy’. We are slowly poisoning our own environment, the air we breathe, the
earth we stand on, the water we drink and the food we eat. We have managed to
bring about a climate change detrimental to the world, to the life on it and in
it. We are slowly killing the trees, contaminating the water, poisoning the air
we breathe and killing fish and animals.
So where has
man gone wrong? Is it all man’s fault or is it the natural outcome of evolution
and advancement? Even if we do not have
satisfactory answers, we must say STOP! Think! Change what you do, reverse your
cars into the garages and go back to a more primitive life if necessary, eat
less meat and burn less of fossil fuels.
Turn your
inventive power to run equipment by solar energy and produce less and less
carbon in day to day activities.
Think of
efforts made by governments, various treaties made over decades, further green
technologies. Let’s start today. Save every drop of water, every smidgen of
energy and follow examples of green activists.
Think of
Greta Thunberg the 16-year-old climate activist. She crossed the Atlantic by a
sail boat to go to the US to continue her climate activist work there.
I suggest
that we each bring forward what each can offer this debate. We can have a
simpler way of life on earth, save life in the sea, give our children, nephews,
nieces and grandchildren a healthier planet to live on at least as good as we
have enjoyed.
Zita
ReplyDeleteThank you for that powerful message delivered with honesty and no holds barred. I too feel what we are doing at present to prevent a catastrophe is far too inadequate. We are sleep walking into a quagmire of our own making. I feel it was mistake to send an angry teenager to the United Nations to speak on such an important topic. She lost her temper got too emotional and perhaps disregarded her script. Listening to her became an ordeal to the audience. Once again an important opportunity was lost. Having said that I do admire her passion to save the world. She would have learnt from her ordeal and will no doubt become an important figure in this debate.
There is much we can do individually and to write to our own MP's. We should be discussing this more often and with more passion.
You've always been an ardent supporter and my thanks to you for giving us this reminder and opportunity to vent our feelings.
Nihal, I am really happy when a person like you engages in this topic and what you are saying is so true. You are right that Greta's approach or reproach impressed as well as shamed people and it may have been a bit 'over the top' but the ultimate message is right. It will be so good to have our fantastic batch mates like you, Mahendra and others putting forward points and suggestions as every journey begins with the first step. Thanks again! Zita
DeleteThis is a very serious topic and we should be grateful to Zita for bringing our attention to it. This is an area where the old adage, "Little drops make the ocean" applies. Many people I know just shrug their shoulders and say "what can I do about it as an individual?, not much, it has to be a global effort with actions led by Governments". While the latter part is absolutely true, each of us can take significant measures which all add up to maker a difference to "make the drops count". It is a great pity that some ignorant World "Leaders" (I don't need to elaborate further!) are acting like Ostriches burying their heads in sand. Some of them are truly ignorant while others are evil and crafty thinking only of profit. money and self-interest. Sadly, the whole world is in the midst of a crisis with poor leadership.
ReplyDeleteAs for Greta Thunberg, I admire her and her passion for her cause. As most of you know, she has Asperger's and this influences the way she appears and communicates, but her heart is in the right place.
I agree with ND when he says "There is much we can do individually and to write to our own MP's. We should be discussing this more often and with more passion"
The possibility of the extinction of Man is a real possibility and not just fear mongering,. Humans are not the first species to become extinct. Around 99% of all species who ever lived on Earth are extinct. It is quite salutary to ponder on the statement made by a Scientist that the best chance the Planet has for survival is the extinction of Man, the creature most responsible for ruining the Planet.
Thanks again Zita. You are person I have got to know really well and your sincere and caring nature is so refreshing.
Thanks for that, Mahendra! Before I read your next comment below, I want to comment that it's a very interesting point you brought out by talking about the possible extinction of man! Apart from our quest to save the planet by saving energy, I like to add a relevant note, well it really shocked me when I saw it, and that is: If man becomes extinct, this world will become a waste land and slowly all life in it will disappear. Yes indeed that's what this very interesting thesis said. The rivers will stop flowing, trees stop growing, towns disappear, mobility i.e. anything that moves, stops. They seemed to argue that Man is what keeps the world alive! If I can trace that programme I shall give our batch mates the link, but it was about 5 years ago. Thanks Mahendra for your input. I know organised effort is what we need. And the world is lacking in this sort of leadership. But let's try one man at a time, one woman at a time to save the planet! Zita
DeleteFor those interested, here is a link to a good post about other young people who spoke on important issues. There are many.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.sbs.com.au/…/not-just-greta-these-are-the-other…
Some of the are:-
Autumn Peltier, 15, is a First Nations girl from Canada who has been fighting for the protection of water quality since she was eight-years-old. In March 2018, she too addressed the United Nations to mark World Water Day, urging the audience to treat water with “human rights”.
12-year-old Dujuan Hoosan also made headlines when he appeared before the UN Human Rights Council to speak about the over-representation of Indigenous Australian youth in prison.
Pakistani feminist and education activist Malala Yousafzai was 15-years-old when she was shot by a Taliban member in an attempted assassination. She survived and in 2014 she became the youngest person in history to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, at 17, for her work highlighting "the struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education".
Syrian child Bana Al Abed’s Twitter bio contains a simple message: “I am 10-years-old. No more war.”. With the help of her English-speaking mother, Bana used her account to post daily updates from inside the 2016 Seige of Aleppo, reaching people all over the world.
It is phenomenon we will see more and more with the growth of Social Media. The days of "children are there only to be seen and not heard" are over!
Thanks again, Mahendra! The info you have just given us are what I call pearls and these kids, yes they are practically that, are setting a great example to the adults who are too involved in their own interests, businesses, making money, going on holiday and other self centred pursuits and they are forgetting something vital to man's very existence. These kids, you have mentioned, will go down history and adults can take an example from them and at least now start doing something about this subject which is to do with man's very survival. Zita
ReplyDeleteZita , Thank you for this well presented message which is as compelling as that of Greta Thunberg’s to the UN.
ReplyDeleteWe do need to act urgently to reduce our carbon footprint and the non-religious excesses of Christmas which is said to approximate to 5.5 percent of each year’s total carbon emissions might be a good place to start.
It might not only reduce industrial pollution, deforestation, and unnecessary waste, but will also release parents from having to lie to their unsuspecting kids about “Father Christmas”.
The above is in view of Xmas round the corner - not ignoring all the other measures we need to take as individuals wherever we are. Thank you Zita
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to hear your views Rohini! And you always tend to bring about something we rarely think of, like here, the contribution of Christmas celebrations to global warming. Now that's a thought! I am all for reducing most of the uses of electricity, candles, travelling on Christmas trips, cooking unnecessarily rich food, and cutting Christmas trees for adorning the home. I know that children's fun during this time will be curtailed. But what better message to the younger generation than 'save energy'! One can still get together, do good work to help poor people, help the needy and do positive things which do not need energy expenditure, or at least keep the use of energy to a minimum. Thanks again for that idea! I can see myself spreading the message first amongst my own family! Zita
DeleteZita,
DeleteMy comment regarding Christmas was not meant to be taken personally.
Having re-read my brief comment written in haste I can think it could have appeared so- Iam sorry.
I did not intend to spoil all the joys of Xmas for you and your little ones !
Iam as guilty as anyone else of the excesses we indulge in over Xmas - specially to keep our young folk surprised and happy. I realize the ‘make believe’ of Xmas to an extent is an important ‘ingredient’ of childhood - just like the fairy tales we read to them- but children have more intelligence than we often credit them for, and soon realize that adults are lying to them . I have myself been at the receiving end of this query and accusation !
The main issue foremost in my mind when I wrote this comment was that of the
environmental impact of the billions of tons of wrapping paper which has to go into land fill as decorative wrapping cannot be recycled, being heavily dyed, laminated, glittered and bedazzled, some even plasticised.
The paper story from start to finish has a huge environmental impact starting from deforestation, to water consumption, to pollution of water ways, and production of huge amounts of Methane in their degradation in landfill. Methane has a capacity 21 times that of CO2 to trap heat in the environment leading to global warming.
There is much information online regarding paper pollution, which gets sidelined by the fossil fuel story.
I realize we need to have fun while we live, at the same time being mindful of how we do so with minimal damage to our environment.
Being very creative and innovative I know you will find interesting ways of doing this. I reiterate this was not a personal affront.
Have a wonderful Christmas with your family -specially the little ones !
Cheers
The global rise in temperature and sea levels is a serious threat and the effects are already evident in the loss of some of the Soloman islands. Closer to home the Maldives is disappearing slowly. It is a serious threat to our homeland too as is shown by this abstract of an MSc thesis: https://www.utwente.nl/en/et/wem/education/msc-thesis/2018/bakker.pdf
ReplyDeleteI did not see or hear a vociferous uproar from a Sri Lankan delegate at the UN that his island home is under threat. Neither do I hear any desperate pleas from Sri Lankan politicians.
Sir David Attenborough has shown us most graphically the damage we do to our environment and to all life forms on this planet by us humans. Plastics are the current scourge but there is much else. The oceans have become the dumping grounds for human waste.
The 5 biggest polluters are 1. China 2. USA 3. India 4. Russia 5. Japan It is a disgrace the USA has pulled out of the Kyoto agreement.
We cannot be too far away from the point of no return. Time is fast running out. The consequences are dire. Greta Thunberg is such a fine ambassador for the future generations who may not see the world as we see it now. Our egocentric ways will no doubt destroy everything.
The dinosaurs were destroyed by a meteor strike from outer space. It is possible the planet will be wiped out again this time by selfish carelessness by us humans.
Amidst all this seriousness I am reminded of a graffiti I saw in a London toilet:
End of the world is nigh - go buy a lottery ticket !!
Thank you Nihal, and I mean to look up that link you have given us asap. I am glad I don't see Sri Lanka's name amongst the five big polluters. But we can't be that far behind as I do not ever find this subject being mentioned in my circles and in the future when I am there I shall get the message across to those close to me. We have to start saving a drop of water at a time, a smidgen of energy at a time as the longest journey begins with the first step. You message about the likelihood of humans disappearing from this earth is something we should spread amongst our younger generation. Thanks again, Nihal.
DeleteHi!,Rohini,
ReplyDeleteDo not forget to send a picture of those beautiful flowers of the Pohutukawa tree(Christmas tree,Fire tree)I enjoyed the beauty of that flower during the dark,gloomy winter days in England.You will have nice and warm summer during that time of the festive season.
Sumathi.
Yes Sumathi, Though we’ve dreamed of White Christmases in the past, it is now nice to think of the warmth and sunshine at Christmas. I think I may have posted some photos of the Pohutukawas- the NewZealand Christmas trees- at some point in the blog, , but I shall remember to send you some when they are in bloom again later in the year. Cheers
DeleteDear Zita,thank you very much for raising this vital issue which affects all of us, wherever we live. I have been concerned about this issue for a long time. I was bitterly disappointed when the US pulled out of the Kyoto agreement because at that time they were the leading polluter. Bhutan has set an exaple to the rest of the world by exporting carbon. I remember listening to a speech by their Prime Minister regarding this very issue.I am rather optimistic in my life and not really concerned about the extinction of the human race because by that time I would presumably have reached my final destination in the journey of sansara. As a Buddhist I believe in retribution and I predict that the US would continue to pay for their decision regarding Kyoto,during our lifetime (sorry Sriani and Indra)
ReplyDeleteSanath
Just two points Lama. While I understand your stance on human extinction as "I would presumably have reached my final destination", I am one who believes that all of us must have a much longer term view that extends beyond us to future generations.
DeleteThe second point is about being a Buddhist and believing in retribution. I may be splitting hairs but to me it is an important distinction. Retribution generally means reward or punishment. Both these terms have no place in the true Buddhist philosophy. In Buddhism we speak of consequences that follow actions as a Natural Law. There is no "reward" or "punishment" but a realisation that in keeping to the path to end dukkha or suffering, right action and thought matters.
I completely agree about the sadness of the American action is withdrawing from the Kyoto summit agreement- yet another example of short term gain for a selected few at the expense of the majority.
I always regard your pronouncements on any subject with great respect as to me you are someone who has a wide knowledge having been at the 'head' of things, travelled and always given a lead in matters. You are the second one who mentions the pulling out of US from the Kyoto agreement. We actually need more schemes to solve this global problem which will spell the end of humanity and the world as we know it. It doesn't make me happy to think about the end of the world or extinction of humans. So let us do our bit, to keep things going. Let us think of more and more innovative ways to save energy. Zita
ReplyDeleteSome good news.
ReplyDelete1) Last week, a Swedish newspaper announced that it will stop taking adverts from oil companies.
2) Today in the UK, the Royal Shakespeare Company officially dropped BP as a sponsor.
Oil and gas companies have long used ad campaigns and sponsorship deals to clean the reputations of their climate-wrecking businesses. Those days are now clearly numbered! Let's use the momentum of these big wins to push all advertisers everywhere to drop oil and gas ads
During the Easter bomb blast, a Scandinavian billionaire, lost two of his children in a Colombo hotel. He is the biggest landowner of Scotland and neither has he started farming or building on these vast lands. His wish is for forests to grow for the next two hundred years. I wonder why fate is so cruel in the world we live in !
ReplyDeleteThanks,Rohini for not missing my reply to your blog.I suppose you are looking forward for a World cup victory by All Blacks.I am watching all the matches in tele,these days.My son is a keen admirer of the Mighty All Blacks,team.He did his elective year in Wellington in early nineties.
ReplyDelete