The bounties of Nature

Besides a few of the naturally acquiescent kind, most mortals regret being thrust into the furnace for a prolonged period of time. Their response usually ranges from escapism to resignation. For some the choice is between a vacation in the Swiss Alps, Austria’s Grossglockner Alpine or the Blue Mountain Resort of Canada. Others opt between Pondicherry, Goa or our very own nearby getaway of Musandam in Oman. Those incapable of either of these indulgences stay put, under the roof for as long as they can. There are as many reactions as there are individuals.

But if summer season strikes can autumn be far behind? More importantly doesn’t the much maligned Nature in this part of the world give us a lot in return for a few months of harsh weather? The essence of weather is change and wouldn’t it be incredibly boring to experience the same temperatures all the year round? Most mortals would grudgingly agree to that. Yet Londoners and Mumbaikars would unite to lament incessant rain even though they are not quite in the middle of the Amazon or the Eastern Himalayas. An average North Indian will cry hoarse over a spell of cold wave even though he or she doesn’t quite live in Antarctica, 98 per cent of which is covered by ice during winters. Southeast Asians dread the stormy season even though 75 per cent of all tornadoes make landfall in Midwest America.

There’s no curing humankind’s perpetual state of dissatisfaction with everything natural, even as it does practically nothing to make things better. Interestingly, animals, especially birds, have a more remarkable behavioural pattern that keeps it in harmony with Nature. Siberian cranes, for instance, routinely fly thousands of miles away from Siberia at the onset of winter and return when things become more hospitable and habitable.

The animal world is full of similar migratory behaviours. Moreover, Nature compensates few months of harsh weather with enormous natural resources that not only help us cope with the climate but also ensures a good life for the rest of the year. When floods devastate an area they also leave behind very fertile silt that helps future crops. Excess amount of rain may bring life to a standstill but they also replenish water levels beneath the ground that ensures supplies for months.

If you think the bounties of Nature end with rainfall here is another piece of information. According to one estimate, the earth receives 1,366 watts of direct solar radiation per square meter, which is huge amount of energy, 99 per cent of which still goes waste. If harnessed properly, this can be answer to at least some of world’s energy needs. According to the Global Wind Energy Council, wind energy is a major source of power in over 70 countries across the world. “Wind energy is the only power generation technology that can deliver the necessary cuts in CO2 in the critical period up to 2020, when greenhouse cases must peak and begin to decline to avoid dangerous climate change,” says the Council. More importantly, it creates new jobs and over 400,000 people are now employed in this industry and that number is expected to be in the millions in the near future.

While scientists are rejoicing at the discovery of the God particle and are busy harnessing natural resources, individuals of all hues can contribute by merely appreciating the bounties of Nature instead of lamenting them. This can be done by learning more about the climactic conditions prevailing in different parts of the world, especially the harsh ones. One way to achieve this objective would be to travel to those parts of the world that have diametrically opposite weather conditions that one is used to at home. This would surely restore one’s faith in the Nature’s equitable approach and help us become more responsible citizens of the world.

E. Shahid is a UAE-based journalist and wannabe author