It’s time we nurture Mother Earth

But if we are meticulous about conservation, we might still make it. Desalination units can be set up in cities across the world to make seawater fit for our consumption. On our part, we can minimise daily water wastage and install reverse osmosis units in our homes and offices to recycle and make used water potable once more. The elixir of life is running out and the time to act is now, for can we even imagine life on Mother Earth without water?

Land, the changing landscape

Fiction often portrays blights wiping out crops, green lands morphing into barren ones, or droughts becoming prevalent. But given the radical changes in the environment we have caused, fiction can soon turn into reality. Many experts predict that in the imminent decades, long dry spells and soil erosions will reduce the production of fruits and vegetables, thereby affecting the entire food chain. Fatal changes in diets will ensue that will put many species at the risk of extinction.

These probable consequences of land abuse are just the tip of the iceberg. Scientists also predict that if deforestation continues, and we don’t stop the spillage of waste, climate change will make Mother Earth a lifeless red planet, just like Mars.

Ironically, we talk of going to Mars, when our own planet is at risk of turning into something similar–lifeless! We are better than this. We need to be accountable for our actions, and stop being indifferent towards our environment. For all we know, there might not be another planet like ours. As children of Mother Earth, all we need to do to save our land is plant more trees to minimise runoffs, recycle non-degradable items, and reuse all possible items.

The green martyrs

We don’t think twice before destroying forests–we convert them into farmlands to feed our population, or replace them with concrete jungles. But irrespective of our needs and wants, we cannot afford to do away with trees. They are guardians of our wellbeing. Several studies reveal that people living in cities (where there are fewer trees) are more prone to stress, anxiety, and depression. People even develop respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses without greenery.

Italian architect Stefano Boeri, has come up with an idea to compensate for the loss of green cover–designing vertical forests on skyscrapers and buildings. They could be scaled up to create forest cities as well. In fact, the first forest city is being implemented in China. Isn’t it amazing how one individual can make a difference in the world?

The reluctant lives

The death of the last male northern white rhino in Kenya is an indicator of how rapidly the landscape of our ecosystem is changing. Poaching and habitat loss have cost white rhinos dearly. Their population has dwindled from 2,000 in the 60s to just two female white rhinos today.

This is just one of the many endangered species on the planet. Much of the wildlife is under severe threat. Though man is solely responsible for these outcomes, he is yet to learn from his mistakes.

When one animal species becomes endangered, it triggers the loss of another in the ecosystem, thereby destroying the balance, and jeopardising lives. Take bats, for instance. Bats are known to be important cross pollinators of certain species of cacti and agave in the deserts. If there comes a day when bats become extinct, these cacti and agave, which are used in cooking, may eventually die!

It need not be this imbalanced. We can do our bit by creating awareness regarding endangered species. Just discussing it with our peers can be a good start. Further, we could buy faux fur and leather instead of real ones, and stop buying animal products to stop poaching. After all, going by the delicate nature of our ecosystem, animals are just as important a part as we are. Wiping other species off the face of the earth only means we are next.