Cherishing mother Earth, ‘Gaia’ .................

   ( Diplomatist plus oct 2012 )

“All the world’s a stage…,” said Shakespeare and how fortunate humankind is that the ‘stage’ supporting us is the incredibly beautiful, colourful, and vast mother Earth. Recognising the pivotal role played by earth in our lives, our ancestors worshipped Mother Nature. The Greeks personified her as the goddess ‘Gaia’.

The renowned scientist, James Lovelock, chose this name when he proposed his hypothesis about the earth’s functioning many years ago. He had an able collaborator in Lynn Margulis, an American biologist .The Gaia hypothesis (now a theory) described the earth as ‘a self-regulating system made up from the totality of organisms, the surface rocks, the ocean and the atmosphere tightly coupled as an evolving system’ and striving to ‘regulate surface conditions so as always to be as favourable as possible for contemporary life.’ 

Over-consumption of natural resources causing their depletion and big changes brought about in the biosphere by our actions cause new feedback loops. These can throw the process of self-regulation into a different gear. The earth has so far survived varying and extreme climatic conditions such as the ice ages. On the other hand, several species have often not survived. We, as a race, need to be mindful of the impact our habits have on fellow species as well as our own.

A few core concerns:

Are we fiddling while Gaia burns?

A comprehensive article on the melting Arctic ice caps by James Astill in the June issue of the Economist described the impact the melting of the ice caps would have on biodiversity, environment, people, and policies. What is astonishing is the diverse perspective of different groups. Those who worry about the long term effects of global warming want to put environmental safety measures in place before the stage of ‘terminal decline’ is reached. On the other hand, many others speak in terms of ‘resources getting easier to access’ and ‘new shipping routes opening up’ because of the melting Artic snows. Why are we even calculating how to exploit the remaining resources in the Arctic areas when we have reason to believe our planet is changing in ways that may one day make it uninhabitable?

It is reassuring that so many scientists from different countries are observing and documenting in detail what is happening g to the planet and the species that inhabit it. We hail their discoveries but do we heed their caution?

It is arrogant and short-sighted for anyone to assume that only man was meant to use the planets’ resources to thrive and that other species are totally dispensable. It does not seem fair to sit and watch smaller and less advantaged species fade away. Will it really matter in the long run if we got a hundred bushels more of Arctic oil or managed to sail more freely in the cold Arctic waters before we, ourselves slowly vanished as a species? Who will be there to laud our last few acts of consumerism? No one can predict the future with certainty, but surely, when the issue is critical, it is better to err on the side of caution.

Are we behaving like spoilt children?

It is reprehensible when we hear how people neglect and abandon their old parents. In such cases, the story is typical. An elderly person signs over the ancestral property over to their children: these children, rather than being grateful, think that they already have the most important thing, i.e. the property, in their grasp and become callous. The parents, who have often made a lifetime of sacrifices, do not get the love and gratitude they richly deserve.

Likewise, should we not feel collectively ashamed when we fail to return the favour that mother earth has shown us by supporting, nourishing, and sustaining us ? Apart from food and shelter, we derive so much of our creativity from her. It is mother earth’s various hues, such as her beautiful mountains and sunsets, which have inspired many a poet and artist. Sometimes, when unhealthy lifestyles and stress get the better of our bodies and minds, we take a quiet holiday in Mother Nature’s lap. She nearly always succeeds in restoring our mental and emotional balance.

While watching out for our own comfort and wellbeing, we do not often stop to consider the ways in which our lifestyles deeply harm Gaia. We use non-biodegradable plastics, which stay around for hundreds of years leaching toxic substances into the air, ground, and water. We buy far in excess of our actual needs and our high rate of consumption encourages more factories and more production. The refrigerators and air conditioners we use release harmful fluorocarbons into the atmosphere. We mine large quantities of precious stones, which are not in any way imperative for survival. We spend a lot of money on advertising and creating a need for things and then invest more money producing and buying them. We sometimes behave like schoolchildren under peer pressure and feel the need to have something only because our neighbour has it.

If people consciously decreased their consumerism, the demand for quantity would go down. A slow sustained use of resources would ensure that they last longer and thus help us enjoy them for a greater period. It is for us to decide between one short glorious burst of consumerism and a long steady enjoyment of it.

Whom are we putting in charge of Gaia, officially?

Who are we leaving the official looking after of Gaia to? The subject of environment rightfully falls under the purview of scientists and environmentalists. Though there is outstanding research work being done by this group on understanding of natural issues, they do not have executive powers. The decisions directly and indirectly influencing the environment are finally made by the governments of the day. The environment is unfortunately, not a high priority when human matters are being settled. Typically, when wars are waged, it is officialdom that is consulted and not any scientists or environmentalist. When we have attacked and plundered other countries, we do send peacekeeping forces and try to put interim political systems in place. However, not many spare a thought for the flora and fauna that has been decimated over there. When we speak about rebuilding a nation, of picking up the pieces and cobbling together a whole, how much attention is paid to the species that are lost forever? How much money is spent in rebuilding natural habitats of animals? Can we undo the long-term effects of pollutants released into the atmosphere, some of which last for several years?

Gaia can be whimsical…but are we reading the long-term patterns carefully?

Like humans, Gaia can be whimsical. One begins to understand a human when you stay with them long enough. So it is with Gaia. Definite patterns emerge, albeit slowly. Scientists who have cautioned us about global warming repeatedly warn us not be lulled into a false sense of security every time there is a cool summer. Like weather, climate can also be unpredictable in the short run.

Why is the long term important? Simply because the process of discovery takes time. The first step in any process is identifying and describing the cycles in nature. For example, it is recognised that oceanic phytoplankton release sulphates into the atmosphere in the form of dimethyl sulphides and these can be the nucleus for condensates thus precipitating oceanic rainfall. Next  come the months or years required to fashion the equipment to study the natural cycles in detail -in this case ways to measure dimethyl sulphide in the atmosphere. Finally, the observation should be repeatable/reproducible.

Keeping in mind, the time it takes for a hypothesis to mature into a theory makes it obvious that there are no shortcuts when trying to understanding nature. It did after all take nearly four decades for the existence of Higgs-Boson particle to be scientifically proven!

How can we reach out to Gaia?

We can extend a hand of friendship to Gaia…

Some who recognise their filial duty to Gaia, pay respect through the way in which they live. A few use only glass items in lieu of plastics, have their own home waste recycling systems, try to walk rather than drive short distances, become vegetarians, use solar heating systems, produce their own electricity from solar panels and so on. Each of these small acts is important and reassuring because they show we are mindful. However, these do not yet constitute universal trends and occasionally are still referred to as ‘alternative’ lifestyles.

In our childhood, we enjoyed reading tales of the Phantom. In these stories, news was rapidly disseminated by drumbeats through the jungles where Phantom lived. Every jungle inhabitant was thus quickly updated on any occurrence. A similar phenomenon occurs when you reach out to nature. News travels fast and the entire nature seems to want to embrace you. Should you put healthy plants on your balcony, you will soon find many daily visitors such as birds, bees, butterflies insects, and worms. Or try feeding a stray dog on a few occasions. You can be sure it will turn up the next day at the same time bringing along many more hungry friends!

Being a friend of Gaia means thinking about Gaia every day. Build small environment-friendly  habits into your daily life such as switching off the fans when leaving a room, recycling the paper from old diaries or gifting plants to friends on birthdays. Gaia is appreciative of every tiny act of thoughtfulness. As Kennedy famously remarked “and all these tiny ripples…..million different directions….can build up a mighty wave…..”

We can invest much more on Gaia

People admire the great infrastructure of the developed countries. Good infrastructure means having sound basic amenities … roads, water, and sanitation. However, the infrastructure supporting all the developed and developing countries is planet earth. When we cut down forests, ravage the land and even the seabed in our unending quest for more oil and minerals, we are systematically destroying our infrastructure.

When we study the Indian union budget, it is a complex task to figure out how much money we are actually spending on environmental infrastructure. As a gross percentage of the budget in 2010/2011¹, the science, technology and environment group of services were allotted about 28,051billion rupees out of 8,18,299 billion rupees or about 3.42 %. For comparison, interest payments got 28.5% (2,34,022 billion rupees) defence services 11.2 % (92,061 billion rupees) and social services 4.27% (35,014 billion rupees). In USA in 2009², the federal budget earmarked about 35,149 billion dollars (2.83%) for natural resources and environment. By way of comparison, the national defense budget was 6,56,761 billion dollars (53.06%), transportation was 82,297 (6.64%), education, training, employment and social services was 101511 (8.20%).The estimate for 2011 was 7,44,026 billion dollars for defence (52.59%), 1,01,631 for transportation(7.18%) and 40,604 for natural resources and environment (2.87%).

Calculating the exact amount spent on protecting our natural resources is not easy as a small part of the concerned budget lies with several ministries such as Earth Sciences, Environment and Forests, Drinking water and sanitation, Renewable energy, Water resources and Science and Technology. It is also a moot point as to how much of the allotted budget actually goes in maintaining the planetary status quo.

We can try to win bonus points with Gaia.

Since the last couple of years, Gaia has been accorded greater importance. In India, the Ministry of Environments and Forests was created in 1985 and by 2006, we had a national environment policy in place. A record of statistics is being kept by Central Statistics office since 1997.

Various national missions are in place in India that play a responsible role in looking after our environment. These include Solar, Enhanced Energy Efficiency (which looks into efficient equipment and industrial processes that can help save energy), Sustainable Habitat (which looks into efficient housing and transport), Green India, Sustainable Agriculture, Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change, and others.

Now that the groups have been in existence for some time, the processes are sure to be in place and we need to move forward to the next level in imaginative ways. Perhaps a popular TV show on environment may help to make it a topic that stays in the public consciousness. A popular cooking, singing, or dance show on the theme of environment may win over the public imagination. Environmental clubs could be established in neighbourhoods much like sports clubs. Perhaps a Nobel should be instituted for exemplary contribution towards protecting or understanding our environment.

We must realise that news related to Gaia is breaking news….

Reading the newspapers in the morning can be a depressing affair. There always seems to be such a lot of bad news to share. Most papers are structured in a way that the front page is used for reporting political and breaking news. This page is liberally peppered with reports of swindles, misdemeanours, and horrific crimes. The centre page has the more deeply researched articles and editorials. Sports and other events follow. The news is a daily reminder of the troubled times we live in.

Mention must be made however, of one popular Korean newspaper that has a rather different layout and a refreshing perspective. The front page usually carries a piece on ambient nature conditions. For example, what trees are in bloom in that particular season, the red dust coming from the nearby desert, which is giving a red tinge to the atmosphere and so on. High quality colour pictures provide a stunning visual effect.

If this could become the popular style - if we are first reminded that we are in nature’s comfortable lap before the bad news is delivered to us, how soothing to our nerves it would be.

We can help Gaia out of vicious cycles

Global warming is leading to various changes on the earth’s surface, one of which is melting of the Arctic ice caps. This trend is further amplified by local feedback loops .When ice melts and becomes water or even a thinner layer of ice, the darker surface traps more heat and this causes further melting. This is referred to as the albedo effect.

Deforestation for agricultural or other purposes causes more Carbon dioxide to remain in the atmosphere, as there are fewer trees to remove this greenhouse gas. Since tree roots draw up groundwater and evaporate it to the atmosphere, in areas devoid of trees, the soil and air are both drier and hotter.

Climatic changes augmented by these types of feedback loops have a profound effect on many species and the least adaptable may be lost to us forever. Since humans have the ability to control their local microenvironment by use of gadgets invented by them, they are not, yet, feeling the impact of climate change that deeply. This security may well be short-lived and many of us are perhaps deluding ourselves about our relative invincibility.

We are one….

Our fates are actually deeply intertwined, and we cannot harm Gaia without harming ourselves. Gaia can be our strongest ally, if only we let her. Let us do well by our friend, our mother, and by extension, by ourselves.

[1] From Indian budget and economic survey

² From US Govt Printing Office site