Humans and nature should maintain an equilibrium in the natural ecosystem to make our world a better place to live in. Since the advent of modern science and the industrial revolution, our actions towards advancement made environmental issues a serious concern. High technologies, globalization, and digitalization are the result of our desire to go beyond the limits. Just a click on the screen of our android brings the world in our hand.
But did we ever notice the slow transformations in the environment?
When I stand on my roof, I can only see concrete buildings, but where are those trees that used to be in my childhood? A complete loss of greenery! I feel suffocating when I breathe in on the roads. I no more see the yellow bird that used to come every morning to my window during my childhood. All these are the results of ecological imbalances that we have created till date.
Pollution, global warming, deforestation, ozone depletion, carbon emissions, loss of biodiversity, extinction of species are the only gifts that we have given to ‘mother nature’ who nurtured us since the beginning of life in the name of advancement.
We are all aware of these but never tried to lend a hand to revive nature. The government too failed to implement rules to protect our environment. Meetings, conferences, social awareness also failed in bringing fruitful results.
At this point, COVID-19 acts as a mediator to solve environmental issues.
Due to lockdown, we all are captivated in our homes, and this brought a remarkable change in the environment which I am noticing for the past few months. These days I am woken up in the morning by the chirping birds and they act as my alarm clock. When I stand on the roof I see the clear shining sky overhead and fresh oxygen all around which I never felt all these years. According to scientific research, in China, there is a 25% reduction in carbon emissions and a 50% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions due to a halt in industrial activities and lockdown. Also, this outbreak provided a cover to illegal activities like deforestation and poaching and reduced economic activity would help decrease global warming and pollution.
So, there is a before and after for environmental issues due to this pandemic. UN environment chief claimed that nature is sending us a message, we should understand that.
I too strongly believe COVID-19 is a call of nature to make us aware that it is never helpless and knows how to heal the environment by itself otherwise in this 21st century a mere virus would not have left us so helpless. And this is not the first time nature is protesting! After every crisis on humans, like the 2008 crisis, we have seen a healing effect on the environment. When humans are suffering and dying from health issues, nature is growing healthy and pointing at us telling us that it is our action that led us to this 2020 crisis.
So, it is high time when we must understand the importance of the environment and redefine the quest for better use of our natural resources. Planting trees, use of public vehicles rather than individual transport, and renewable sources of energy like bio-energy, use of solar energy and conservation of water is very important. Also, plastic bags must be replaced with jute bags and wastes from factories must be purified before releasing into the environment.
I do not know how much humans will bother these issues post corona pandemic but it is high time when individual efforts are very important. We should follow the ways by which we can conserve our nature and regain its lost beauty or else we may face a serious threat to our existence because-‘we live when nature lives, we die when nature dies’. So, I have learned a lesson from COVID-19 and I have taken an oath to take care of the environment. I have already started planting trees and spreading awareness through writings, it’s your turn now for it’s never late to start something good. I can still see the hope of light at the end of the tunnel and a little bit of concern from our side will cure the environment.
By;
Sohini Biswas
