Will we learn?

WE DO NOT INHERIT THE EARTH FROM OUR ANCESTORS

WE BORROW IT FROM OUR CHILDREN

It is indeed a no-brainer that the Lockdown seen in response to the pandemic was the right thing to do. Despite some shrill voices to the contrary, public health experts confirm that this was the only available deterrent, given the barren medical armamentarium against the novel CORONA virus.

Of course, it brooks no argument that the lockdown came at a tremendous cost to the economy. The global recession it engendered in its wake has rivalled the destruction caused by the pandemic. This scenario finds its parallel in the horrific side effects of chemotherapy in an already debilitated cancer patient. The black swan event has affected every sector and geography indiscriminately. The damage has been all-pervasive and on an unprecedented scale. Moreover, the anticipation of a second wave of the pandemic is leading to nervous trepidation and that effectively rules out economic rebound in a hockey-stick configuration.

Despite all this, there have been some unexpected windfall gains from this lockdown beyond slowing down the spread of the virus. “New Normal” seems to be the talk of the town. A lot of corporates have announced permanent remote working option for a huge section of their workforce. Savings accrued from reduced office footprint will percolate to the bottom line whilst also increasing efficiency and productivity. People will spend less time and effort on their work commute. This could lead to less traffic, less crowded public transport and in the long run less consumption of fossil fuels.

But the immediate and most surprising benefit has been evident in the environment. Rivers and canals have never been this clean in recent history. In Venice, fish appeared in the water. The river Ganga, which has never responded to massive cleaning efforts, miraculously became clean as people retreated to the confines of their home. In sync, the air quality has also improved dramatically across all previously polluted metropolis. There has been a significant reduction in suspended particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere across almost all cities. There has also been a reduction in Carbon Dioxide emissions. Harmful Nitrogen Oxides in the air have also taken a steep dive. Ozone layer has also healed although it has not been attributed to the reduced pollution. Wildlife has made inroads into some towns and cities, albeit humans have not come to harm due to these apparent transgressions. Surely earth is healing, like it has never done before.

Of course, it does not mean we can keep everything shut down permanently. Economy has taken a bad hit and a restart is needed. Some of the damage done is permanent. Companies have shut down or downsized, growth plans have been shelved and survival is the mantra. Many small businesses have gone bankrupt and individuals have lost their livelihoods. How does one manage this dilemma? On the one hand we have been witness to amazing turn around in the environment around us and on the other is the dire recession.

The desire for progress and for economic growth needs to be tempered with a modicum of reserve. Now is the time to take stock of our priorities, leaving aside greed and gluttony. We need to pour in more resources and credible efforts towards development of sustainable and cleaner sources of energy. Tokenism needs to be replaced with serious and concerted affirmative actions to not only preserve the environment but also to create a greener and cleaner world.

Infrastructure development needs a serious rethink. Our planet is at risk of ending up resembling a giant ball glazed with concrete and steel, spewing noxious chemicals in water and air. If nothing, the frenetic pace of urbanisation needs to be slowed down and afforestation needs to be at the centre of the agenda. It is ironic that while the leaders world over have been vociferous about development, they have only paid lip service to the environment agenda. People and organisations that have strived hard to bring it to the forefront have been ingloriously dubbed “environmental terrorists”.

The rate at which we are destroying the environment is unsustainable. Pollution is killing us. The hostile environment resulting from global warming will eventually wipe us out. This needs to change. Having said that, for obvious economic reasons, the pendulum cannot be allowed to swing the other way. We must strive to move to the centre. A balance must be struck. We need to protect and nurture the environment, and although not at all costs, some cost will have to be paid.

Remember the environment does not need us. We need the environment and a rather conducive one. We have only one planet to call home, yet.

This leads me to the crux of this piece:

WE DO NOT INHERIT THE EARTH FROM OUR ANCESTORS

WE BORROW IT FROM OUR CHILDREN

70 thoughts on “Will we learn?”

    • Fantastomatic article. Very well written. Eagerly waiting for many such article.

  • What a fantastic take and what a superb commentry on this new landscape.
    Waiting for many more from a brilliant thought leader.

  • Superb, well narrated! Absolutely, we desperately need the environment.

    Eagerly, waiting for the next one!

  • Deep thinking nicely wrapped in words giving a transparent message of the truth. Very well written.

  • It’s a wake up call Bhavesh. Well said ” Environment doesn’t need us we need the good environment to live “

  • Very Nicely written Blog …
    Progress can’t come at the cost of the environment.. both must flourish together

    • Very well written!! Really thought provoking!! The dillema between environment and economy is apt and practical!!

      The saddest part is the recovery of nature will be reversed once the economy comes in full flow!!

  • Great stuff. Many useful messages loaded with scientific rationale embedded to the piece.Environmental decay has led to heightened human and animal interaction and probably that’s a cause for animal virus found in human body. Message from nature is loud and clear ; behave or perish. Yes world economy is in ICU , so many innocents lives are cut short and no credible solution yet but the learning from the pandemic should not be forgotten. Though it’s not end of the world but it has made sure it’s not going to be business as usual. Let’s hope both preventive and curative treatment is available to the last man in the row at the earliest opportunity.

    Looking forward to the next post.

    Best wishes
    Sabyasachee

  • It’s high time people realise that we can’t choose to be eco friendly , We have to be eco friendly . It’s not a choice , it’s a necessity . Well written sir .

  • Great thoughts, although bitter truth but it’s time to accept it…Thank you for the piece of wondering writing.

  • Bhavesh I see a magnificent writer with deep thoughts in the making. A very telling message is the concept of borrowing this planet from our children!! I do hope this percolates down to all of us, in our quest for meaningful childlike approach to protect MOTHER EARTH.
    A glorious readnindeed

  • Excellent writing, to the point.
    Praying Humanity, will save natural environment and at the same time find ways for prosperity for All.👌👌❤️

  • A really interesting read . A very thoughtful blog. As you say the world belongs to the next generation and the ones that follow.

  • Superb post ! Very well said, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors…….”

  • Its a great post Sir. For long we have taken this earth for granted. I hope we can take lessons from this pandemic and actually implement small changes in our daily life in protecting the environment.

  • Indeed a well thought and straight from the heart post. Amazing choice of words. Gave me goosebumps in some sections. Will wait for more

  • Exemplary writting skill.
    Will be looking forward to read more of and from you Sir.

  • Very well written!! Really thought provoking!! The dillema between environment and economy is apt and practical!!

    The saddest part is the recovery of nature will be reversed once the economy comes in full flow!!

  • Excellent write up on current realities. I like the word ‘Environmental terrorists’.
    I wonder in the name of improving economy, these environmental terrorists will destroy the world in such a bad way to cause irreversible damage making it unsuitable for future generations in few decades only.

    Looking forward to reading regular posts from you sir!

  • Great thoughts together can bring change in this crucial moment. Your awesome thoughts reflect d importance of nature. Fantastic lines…. ultimately…Safe Environment, Safe lives….

  • Absolutely…Wonderful read that again re-emphasizes the Recycle… Reuse…Renewal philosophy in Life… if we want to Sustain we have to Adapt… Acclimatize…Adhere to this Nature call and not control it…

  • An amazing narrative to the current pandemic scenario with awesome piture painted using beautiful literary language….evryone must take this heart touching message and protect mother earth !!

  • Awesome….what a magnificent way of narration. Indeed a very thoughtful write up, appreciate the amazing choice of words, looking forward for some more Dr.Bhavesh ….👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

  • Very true and truly well put Dr Bhavesh! In many ways COVID-19 has shown us how to make the impossible, possible! Now it’s upto all of us!

  • Very well articulated. And truly the pendulum must strike a balance. A point to ponder though is what will be the threshold to be called a balance.

  • Such a soulful verbal journey!!
    Only a thoughtful person can provoke thoughts and you did it amazingly..👍
    Eagerly waiting for many more such write ups!

  • Very well written..thought provoking message!!!…SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT is the need of the hour!

  • Eye opener! It’s now or never so let’s put our collective efforts in maintaining a b/s between Environment( earth) & Economy!! I look forward to hearing more on your posts!! Thanks for sharing with the world! Good Luck for future posts!

    • The situation we are in cannot be summarised better than this! Thanks for bringing those fresh thoughts together and initiate a blog for the same…
      This a giant milestone we do all are facing. I also do believe this is exactly the time to start over to evaluate our responsibility not only against the nature, but also humanity!

  • Completely Agree with the conclusion ! we are borrowing indeed, Important for all of us to ponder, will we be returning it

  • Very well written. Looking forward for more splendid piece of blogs👍🏻

  • Nicely written Bhavesh.Looking forward for more splendid piece of blogs👍🏻

  • Well written Sir; status quo by COVID is pointing towards many directions including Environment protection and hopefully, people will not shut their eyes to these real issues as we return to normalcy

  • “Self-aggrandisement by our race has put this planet in peril” is the key takeaway from your article.
    Because of our lack of empathy and sense of inclusiveness, we are a misfit on the ecosystem and the nature is slowly yet steadily discarding us.

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