“We inter-breath with the rain forests, we drink from the oceans. They are part of our own body.” Thich Nhat Hanh
The global pandemic of COVID 19 has shaken the world to its core. It has caused a lot of pain and suffering to families across the world, ravaged economies and ruined livelihoods but it gave an opportunity for the natural world to breathe again as the anthropogenic stresses on, it eased. It shows us that there is hope for a cleaner and safer world for us if only we use our resources wisely.
The pandemic has caused unspeakable loss but we cannot ignore the help it has given nature and the animal kingdom to rejuvenate and heal. With human beings staying home, nature has shown signs that if given time and space it can recuperate. We are left to ponder on the various ways in which we are actually responsible for the degradation in our environment.
Research has shown how due to the restrictions on air travel, the shutting down of factories and industries, there has been a drastic decrease in the air pollution not just in our country but also around the world. Cities like New York, Beijing and Delhi have seen clearer skies and cleaner air. Greenhouse gases around the world have reduced up to 30% since the lockdown. Even our very own Meghalaya has seen a drastic improvement in the air quality, but I know this phase will end soon because of the restrictions that have been eased. It is now our responsibility to help our state remain in the same air quality it is in, to the people of Meghalaya let’s do our bit.
Today researchers are calling for strengthening the fight against Covid19 and also for biodiversity protection as part of the world’s recovery strategy. But this is not something new. Scientists and conservationists have been stating for years that the sustainable development is the only way to conserve our planet.
Rivers have become clearer and riverine biodiversity is thriving even in previously uninhabited places. We also notice how when we have been asked to stay home for our own safety reasons it seems like an imprisonment at times, but you ought to realize how we have destroyed natural habitats and pushed multiple species to extinction.
We have over exploited resources and even captured animals in zoos. For the longest time, we have been spectators and even participants in their pain and suffering. Even in our own state of Meghalaya, we have spotted deer, elephants and other wildlife more frequently since the lockdown. It seems to be a constant reminder that we are actually responsible for so much of the wrongdoings in the world. We have damaged the world and now we are bearing the consequences. And yet even now we haven’t fully learnt our lessons.
Even with the positive impacts happening we still manage to litter and cause damage. We now have to worry about the masks that have been thrown everywhere. We need to be more responsible for our actions. The pandemic has also led to an increase in deforestation and illegal mining as some people have taken advantage of reduced surveillance on such matters.
The theme for The World Environment Day 2020 is ‘TIME FOR NATURE.’ The year 2020 has taught us the need to allow nature to breathe and help it rejuvenate. We have taken away so much from mother Earth. But through this lockdown we have learnt how a little contribution can change so much. So let us contribute in our own little ways and help our planet. If we don’t act now there will not be much left for our future generations. Mother Earth has given us so much to be thankful for now it’s our turn to help her recover so much that has been lost.
Having reflected at length during these two months of lockdown it is time we also list out action plans on how to rejuvenate the environment that we have so degraded out of our mindless pursuit of wealth and convenience. As students we have our own roles to play and we should take responsibility now!
Let us all do our bit for a better and more habitable earth not just for us but for our rich biodiversity and for the generations to come.
