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Earth matters

ARTISTS most prominent in Earth Day celebrations are right in pointing out that the event is no laughing matter as man’s unwarranted excesses continue to deplete Mother Earth’s resources much faster than fresh life is breathed into it, threatening the human race’s own survival in the long run.

Presently, artists are at the forefront of the awareness raising campaign, even though most western governments have started taking the phenomenon much more seriously than not too long ago. It is inspiring that despite lukewarm support from most governments, approximately one billion people observe Earth Day in rallies, concerts, get-togethers, and organised clean-ups in almost 175 countries.

It is important to note that while the West takes justifiable pride in leading the war to save the Earth’s resources, including the climate, it should not simply make stiff demands of the lesser developed nations. For one thing, the West found the realisation only after centuries of pumping poisonous gasses into the atmosphere and plucking the Earth for all its precious resources. Better late than never of course, but to expect countries only recently finding the growth curve to let go of economic advantages and simply tone down would be unrealistic.

The solution lies in coordinated approaches at awareness raising. The West should lend a meaningful hand to lesser prosperous counterparts in keeping environmental damage to a minimum while pursuing the growth curve. Also, the kind of consciousness protecting the Earth requires needs sustained grass-root and above training, something governments can do a good job of while taking assistance from NGOs, campaigners, etc.

However people proceed, it cannot be denied that the Earth’s resources are not unlimited, especially with the strain unprecedented levels of population growth are putting on them. If governments do not realise the seriousness of the issue, they will have themselves to blame as mankind’s most precious gift is allowed to go waste. There is still time, so the sooner coordinated international efforts are seen, the better.