The U.S.A. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSAIDC), in the journal Arctic Climatology and Meteorology, describes the climate change as “A change in the statistical properties of the climatic system over a long period of time. This description stands true no matter the cause.” There is strong evidence, as reported by the panel on “Advancing the Science of Climate Change” by the U.S.A. National Research Council in 2010 that our climate is actually changing.
The National Academics Press in 2010 stated, “The global average temperature has increased by more than 1.4°F over the last century.” In fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has designated the decade from 2000 to 2010 to be the warmest ever, and 2010 is tied with 2005 as the warmest year on record. The Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Control (IPCC) projects a warming of 0.2 C for the next two decades. The phenomenon of global warming is also supported by 97% of the 12,000 peer-reviewed papers in the Journal of Environmental Research.
The general public might simply blame this trend on the sun’s natural warming and cooling, yet these effects are relatively small in comparison to the consequences of modern day human activities which lead to emission of the greenhouse gases that are truly responsible for the changes that we are witnessing. In a survey by University of Illinois, 82% of the respondents stated that human activity has been a significant factor affecting the temperature. The number goes up to 97% if the responders happen to be active in climatology research. According to the U.S.A. Environmental Protection Agency, these changes in temperature are manifested by an increase in the average global air temperature, ocean temperature, widespread melting of glaciers, as well as rising sea levels that also are becoming more acidic.
The resultant fires, extreme degree of rainfalls, tsunamis, and cyclones all over the world have not been lost on us. Repeated flooding in the most populated areas of Asia and droughts in Africa is making life difficult. And if these changes were not enough in themselves, they are also leading to more weather-related illnesses with consequent economic problems. Furthermore, today’s lifestyle is not only adversely affecting the present inhabitants of mother Earth, but the harmful effects of such changes are likely be felt by the generations we leave behind.
Our descendants will be surprised to learn that the small islands that existed in the Pacific during the time of their parents and grandparents have disappeared not to be found anywhere again. Worse still would be the realization that their ancestors did not do enough to stem these issues as they arose. To top it all off, while the rich countries and their people are responsible for harming the environment, the burden of this harm unfortunately is being borne by the poor nations and their people. This is the greatest injustice to mankind. It is now up to us to see what we are willing to do to stem this tide.
First of all, all nations and their governments have to rise to the occasion, for, after all, governments are formed not only to rule but also to make sure that the rules established by them are observed too. And these rules should include the welfare of mother earth. Furthermore, each and every person living on earth has the ability, and should take responsibility, provided they are made aware of the problem. Becoming aware about matters related to the emission of greenhouse gases and acting upon the basic principles to reduce emission should become one of the fundamental responsibilities of all governments and their residents irrespective of a country or continent.
Religion plays a primary role in the lives of the people of the world but especially among the inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent, both at a personal and a societal level. Helping existing NGOs or creating new ones with the sole intent of environmental protection should have been one of the primary objectives for philanthropists. Likewise, the leaders of various faiths should have intervened and attempted to make it obligatory to steer their cohorts towards environmentalism by making it one of the core messages of their faith.
In this regard, the founders of the Sikh faith truly deserve applause, for they not only carried ahead the baton of spirituality but also initiated the battle to protect the environment at a time when such a concept was not in vogue at all. “Pawan Guru, Paani Pita, mata Dharat Mahatt………..” is the last sloka in Japuji Sahib, the first Baani in Guru Granth Sahib Ji, read aloud every day by the practicing Sikhs. Here Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith, equals air to the sustainer of life in the form of the Guru, the teacher, the enlightener, while water is given the status of a father. But above all, the earth has been elevated to the status of the mother, the great.
And if this is so, how dare we, the followers, would ever think of doing any injustice or causing harm to these elements? But Alas! The reality is otherwise.
History makes it clear that the Sikh Gurus, especially the seventh Guru, Guru Har Rai, indeed set forth the directions to glorify the beauty of Mother Nature through planting trees and bushes. He highlighted the plight of environment way back in seventeenth century. Historically, he was instrumental in establishing 52 gardens during his lifetime, including Naulakha baag at Kiratpur, where herbal medicinal plants were also grown. Based on his love for nature and its preservation, Sikh intellectuals often state that he was one of the earliest environmentalists in the Indian subcontinent.
>Move the clock backwards and it becomes apparent that Guru Nanak, the founder of the faith, was the first one who practiced organic farming (Uttam Kheti) in his last 20 years at Kartarpur Sahib exhibiting his love and respect for the environment.Thanks to some foreign-based Sikhs, the Gurgadi Day (day of Enthronement) of Guru Har Rai Ji was rightfully declared as the Sikh environmental day in the year 2009. U.S.A.-based Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE) decided to join with the U.K.-based Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC), as well as the United Nations Development Program to launch an organization named “EcoSiikh” totally committed to this cause. With financial backing from the government of Norway, a five-year plan was created for Sikhs to take action.
EcoSikh has established guidelines and goals for various Sikh organizations and Gurudwaras. Using steel plates instead of styro-foam is now an accepted method of serving langar in many Gurudwaras.” Additionally to encourage organic farming, Harimandir Sahib, the Sanctum Centrum of the Sikhs in Amritsar, Punjab where about 100,000 people are served free-food in the form of Langar daily has already started organic farming for the produce used for meals.
But this is not enough. There is a need to do more, for this truly is a matter of life and death. Cutting the branch of the tree upon which one is sitting has never been a good idea. Choosing life, especially a healthy life in a clean environment, is better than one spent surrounded by dangerous pollutants. My humble statements herein should be taken as a sincere appeal to all those who care to listen. It is merely an encouragement to do more than is already being done.
Note: Please note Most of the information reported here has been taken “in verbatim as is” from various internet sites, including Wikipedia, for which the author is sincerely indebted.
>*Author of the latest book “Western Mirror, Eastern Reflections”
