Snakes and Scorpions

Nature.

Marvelous, breath-taking, fantastic, beautiful, simple, stupendous, amazing, awesome etc.
These are a few words that should come naturally to anyone's mind when they think of nature (pardon me if I missed out on better adjectives)

Everyday you hear about how climate patterns are changing, how ozone layer is depleting due to over pollution (CFC's mainly), how the average temperature of earth is increasing, how forests are receding, how several species of animals are becoming endangered and many many more problems related to nature. What could possibly be the root cause to all these problems?

Simple. Human beings.

Man is selfish (c'mon, accept it!). The species as a whole was/is still being selfish despite knowing the fact that there is going to be no earth to live on 20 years from now. 20 years (read that loud and clear)! Isn't 20 years a little too soon? Yes, it is. The temperature of the earth is likely to rise by a maximum of 6.4 degrees (Celsius). Whoa! That’s lots. Imagine the temperature being 50-55 during summer.

Global warming, temperature changes... What next? Animals. Protection of endangered species. Current rate of extinction of such species is 10 to 100 times greater than any of the prior mass extinction events in the history of the Earth. If this rate of extinction continues or accelerates, the number of species becoming extinct in the next decade could number in the millions. Extinction will lead to the loss of the species (as an entity in the biological system), destabilization of the ecosystem, it might affect other species, genetic material and biochemicals that are associated with the species will be lost forever. Does all this make the problem that we have in our hands look grave? It sure does.

Oh and the danger because of plastic. I read somewhere that plastic wastes can be more of a threat than global warming. Plastic covers and bottles are to be seen everywhere. The real problem with plastic pollution in the world's waters -- the fact that it never, ever, degrades. It’ll eventually become a part of the food chain. Many cows die because they eat the plastic that’s there in the garbage bins which results in choking. Now, imagine the same story being said in case of humans. Too scary.

The whole nature-turning-against-humans is not far away in the future. We’ll pay for all that we’ve done to them. The least you and I can do is not litter, minimize the use of plastic to whatever extent possible, avoid cutting trees, plant trees wherever possible, raise our voices against hunting, poaching, the inhuman practices against animals, contribute in any little way possible. I’m not saying technology is bad; we should stop using vehicles because it pollutes the environment, we should just realize the limits and not cross them.

I don’t want to wake up everyday to get my oxygen tank filled. Imagine not having animals around you because they all perished in the race for survival. Imagine a life which is no life at all.

Peace!

PS- A serious blog I know. This issue has been bothering me from the time I was say around 14. The topic only because i love both those animals and they're a part of nature too. And, I seriously was considering joining the blue cross or the WWF or work for the Discovery channel. This one’s to all those dreams. Cheers! :)