We should first understand that there is life in almost everything that we see. From tiny microbes to birds, animals, and humans, there is life. Like us, all humans and species beings are trying to fulfill their basic survival needs. And how our survival is crucial to us, in the same way, their survival is for them.
Earth’s resources are limited
Now, where does our basic survival come from? First, of course, we get our food from the planet’s resources. We build our homes from earth’s material and name anything else; everything simply comes from the earth. But we should know that these planetary resources are limited and don’t belong to us only.
We share when we care
Let’s see an example. A mother makes some delicious foods for breakfast, and there are six at home, including parents, grandparents, and young children. Now, the food belongs to all. So what we do is we share the food in a way all are full, and no one is hungry.
Why do we do that? Because we love them and they are our family. In the same way, the planet’s resources are meant for all the lives on the earth. If we try to take more, we are taking away the food and resources intended for another living being or several other beings.
As humans we violate
We have these recent incidents about elephants entering human colonies in the western ghat regions to understand it better. Why does this happen? Because we as humans have encroached on forest lands and built roads on their migratory paths, depleting their resources. So, when the jungles have little or no water and fodder, they come to human habitats searching for them. Also, when they migrate to other jungles because roads and rail lines cut their routes, the elephants lose their way and land in human colonies.
Whose fault is it here? This is just one example to understand how as humans, when we take more from the planet, it hurts other species and finally, in turn, affects us also. So as the most evolved species on earth, should we not act responsibly and with kindness, like how we are kind to our kith and kin?
Climate change is a result of self-centered progress
Unfortunately, we have gone so far with our mishandling of the planet that we are on the verge of a significant climate change impact. After much damage done, nations are debating ways to cut down carbon footprints and capping rising temperatures. There are targets they have set and are trying to achieve.
But how do we as individuals achieve this in our everyday reality? First, we should look at our lifestyle, from dawn to dusk and after, whatever we do and wherever possible, we must look for sustainable choices and minimize hoarding and wastage of resources. And, we must thematically design our lives to embrace the essence of earth—that is, provide for all.
We can do a few things that will make a difference in practice:
- Plant and nurture a tree in our neighborhood.
- Commute a few kilometers every day by walking.
- Conserve electricity by switching off gadgets when they are not necessary.
- Opting for locally cultivated farm products and locally produced commodities.