Group Discussion on the ChapterThe Ailing Planet :The Green Movement

Role

Nanabhoy "Nani" Ardeshir Palkhivala (January 16, 1920 – December 11, 2002) was an Indian jurist and economist.

Nani Palkhivala was born in 1920 in Bombay to blue collar, middle-class Parsi parents.

Palkhivala received a great deal of recognition from academics, academic institutions and the government.

In 1963, Palkhivala was offered a seat in the Supreme Court, but declined.

About Author

In 1968, he was offered the position of Attorney-General by Govinda Menon, then the Law Minister in the Congress Government. Nani Palkhivala was appointed Indian Ambassador to the United States in 1977 In the last years of his life, Nani Palkhivala was severely affected by what may have been Alzheimer's diseaseHe died on Wednesday, December 11, 2002. He was 82.

His some famous books are: 1.We,the nation: The Lost Decades2.The Law And Practice Of Income Tax3.The Global Economy: A North-South Dialogue

More than ever the planet earth is losing its vitality and freshness due to human development activities, our earth has become highly polluted , highly irreparable and highly damaged. We have taken out petroleum , coal and a lot of natural resources from the earth. We have removed more than half of world’s vegetation and emitted large quantity of carbon and lot of other chemicals.

INTRODUCTION

We have destroyed marine life and made rivers dry. Moreover our greed for more and more wealth resulted in depleting the protective ozone layer and and invited all harmful rays to the earth’s surface . Besides, we have brought out a great imbalance between and other species of the earth. So we need to stop this practice right now to make our mother earth a better place.

The green movement , a term that includes the conservation and green politics, is adverse scientific social and political movement for addressing environmental issues.

The author begins by commenting on the great attention received by the green movement that began with some 25 yrs. ago. The world’s first nationwide Green party was founded in New Zealand in the year 1972 and the movement has been a great success since then.

GREEN MOVEMENT

Major issues have included nuclear energy, preventing forest logging and halting the growing of GE food crops. Logging protests occurred in Whirinaki, Pureora, and on the West Coast of the South Island.

Short Question Answers

1. Why the earth is said to be an ailing planet ?

2.What is the significance of green movement in modern world ?

3.Who is the most dangerous animal on earth ? And what did he learn in the recent times ?

We have shifted –one hopes , irrevocably –from the mechanistic view to a holistic and ecological view of the world .It is a shift in human perceptions as revolutionary as that introduced by Copernicus who taught mankind in the sixteenth century that the earth and the other planets revolved round the sun .For the first time in human history ,there is a growing world wide consciousness that the earth itself is a living organism - an enormous being of which we are parts. It has its own metabolic needs and vital process which need to be respected and preserved.

CHAPTER CONTENT

Now the view of people regarding earth has changed considerably .The Earth is no more considered just as a planet but as a full fledged living organism –an enormous being of which we are parts .Just as all living organisms has their own metabolic needs , Earth too has its own . It has its own vital processes .

HOLISTIC AND ECOLOGICAL VIEW

CHAPTER CONTENT

The earth’s vital signs reveal a patient in declining health .We have begun to realise our ethical obligations to be good stewards of the planet and responsible trustees of the legacy to future generations .

The concept of Sustainable Development was popularised in 1987 by the World Commision on Environment and Development .In its report it defined the idea as “Development that meets the need of the present , without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their needs” i.e, without stripping the natural world of resources future generations would need.

Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is development

that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

IMPORTANCE * maintaining ecological balance *prevents exhausting of natural resources *and so saves Earth –our Ailing Planet

Questions Based On ContentLAQQ.A ”Earth is itself a living organism ”. Comment. 1.metabolic processes. 2.vital processes 3.dying day by day like a living organismQ.B How do the earth’s vital sign reveal a patient in decline health? 1.deforestation 2.polluted and degraded 3.increases in temperatureQ.D How human efforts can protect the Earth?

SAQ

Q.1 What is the concept of sustainable development ? Ans . Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of

the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Q.2 What was the revolutionary shift in the human perception?Ans .The shift in the human perception was that for the first time in

human history ,there is a growing world wide consciousness that the earth itself is a living organism - an enormous being of which we are parts.

Q.C What is the Holistic and Ecological view of the world?

“The earth’s principal biological systems arefour- fisheries ,forests ,grasslands ,and croplands-

and they form the foundation of the global economic system ” said by Mr. Lester S. Brown in his book, The Global Economic Prospect . In addition to supply our food , these four system provide virtually all the raw

materials for industry.

EARTH’S PRICIPPALBIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

FISHERIESA fishery may involve capture of wild fish or raising fish through fish farming or aquaculture .

The livelihood of over 500 million people in developing countries depends on fisheries of aquaculture. Close to 90% of the world’s fishery catches come from oceans and seas , as opposed to inland waters. Most fisheries are wild fisheries , but farmed fisheries are increasing .

FOREST A forest is a large area dominated by trees . According to the census in 2014 ,forests covers four

billion hectares (15 square miles) or approximately 30% of the world’s land area . Forests provide a diversity of ecosystem services including converting carbon dioxide into oxygen and biomass , aiding in regulating climate, purifying water, mitigating natural hazards such as floods . Forests also serve as a source of lumber and as recreational areas.

GRASSLANDGrasslands area areas the vegetation is dominated by grasses. Grasslands occur naturally on

all continents except Antarctica. One-fifth of the Earth’s land area is grasslands. On average, grasslands receive about 20-25 inches of rainfall a year. Grasslands in all its form supports a vast variety of mammals , reptiles ,birds and insects.

CROPLAND Agriculture land or cropland is typically a land devoted to agriculture , the systematic and controlled use of other forms of life –

particularly the rearing of livestock and production of crops to produce food for humans .It is thus generally synonymous with farmland or cropland. Agriculture land covers 38.4% of the world’s land. Two subcategories of cropland are recognized :cultivated and non-cultivated.

How are the earth’s principal biological systems being depleted?

There are four principle biological systems ofthe earth-(1)fisheries (2)forests (3)grasslands(4)croplands , as pointed by Mr. Lester S.Brown . Unfortunately , the humans claims onthese systems as reaching points, where

theirproductivity is getting impaired. The proteinhungry world is over-fishing everyday . In

poorcountries, local forests are being destroyedeveryday to get firewood for cooking.

The growing use of dung for burning deprives the soil of animportant natural fertilizer. The forest precedemankind and deserts follow. The world’stropical forest are eroding at the rate of 40-50million acres per year. Also, grasslands andcroplands are being converted into deserts andwastelands.

Article 48 AArticle 48A of the Constitution of India provides that “the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country”. But what

causes endless anguish is the fact that laws are never respected nor enforced in India. (For

instance, the Constitution says that casteism, untouchability and bonded labour shall be

abolished, but they flourish shamelessly even after forty-four years of the operation of the

Constitution.) A recent report of our Parliament’s Estimates Committee has

highlighted the near catastrophic depletion of India’s forests over the last four decades. India, according to reliable data, is losing its forests at the rate of 3.7 million acres a year. Large

areas, officially designated as forest land, “are already virtually treeless”. The actual loss of

forests is estimated to be about eight times the rate indicated by government statistics.

A three-year study using satellites and aerial photography conducted by the United Nations, warns that the environment has deteriorated so badly that it is ‘critical’ in many of the eighty eight countries investigated. There can be no doubt that the growth of world population is one of the strongest factors distorting the future of human society. It took mankind more than a million years to reach the first billion. That was the world population around the year 1800. By the year 1900, a second billion was added, and the twentieth century has added another 3.7 billion. The present world population is estimated at 5.7 billion. Every four days the world population increases by one million. Fertility falls as incomes rise, education spreads, and health improves. Thus development is the best contraceptive. But development itself may not be possible if the present increase in numbers continues. The rich get richer, and the poor beget children which condemns them to remain poor. More children does not mean more workers, merely more people without work. It is not suggested that human beings be treated like cattle and compulsorily sterilised. But there is no alternative to voluntary family planning without introducing an element of coercion. The choice is really between control of population and perpetuation of poverty

Explanation of article 48 AArticle 48A of the Indian constitution says that each state is

responsible for the depletion of the forests in its area or each state government has to protect its flora and fauna. But Article 48A is just a article like others of the constitution and not at all followed in India even after 65+ years of the implementation of

the constitution. Day to day reports of the media proves the worst conditions of the forestland in India, From 1950-1995, the period is

considered as the worst time period for flora and fauna as India was loosing estimated 4.5 million acres of forests per year. But

after that time the condition is bit controlled and its now around 3 million acres per year. But these are all government statistics

while the actual loss is 8 times the stats.

According to the chapter a three year study that was conducted by the united nations

using satellites and aerial photography , warns the environment has deteriorated so badly that

it is critical in many of the eighty eight countries investigated, while the present time

situation is for about one hundred fifty countries. Even after this red alarm by the

united nations, the world is still not taking the effective measures or not following the rules

that are necessary to save the flora and fauna.

Causes of distorting of planet

The main factor and most responsible one of distorting of planet is increasing population and is gonna become the biggest threat to human society. According to the some

statistics mankind took more than million years to reach the first billion that was the time period around 1800 and by the 1900 a second billion was added and the twentieth century

population has added 3.7 billion that means around 6 billion+ at the present time. Now even the condition is that one million

is added on the daily basis, so if the population is so much these persons require to live somewhere, hence we are

snatching animals land for our purposes

IlliteracyIlliteracy is the another main factor of distorting of planet. The more the person is educated, the

easily he understands the needs and requirements of the planet. In subcontinent

countries like India, Pakistan, Sri lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan etc. , more than 40% of the population is uneducated, and reason behind the illiteracy is poverty of these regions. Fertility falls as the income rise, education spreads and

the health improves. More children did not mean more workers, merely people without work.

There can be no doubt that the growth of world population is one of the strongest factor distorting the future of the humans society.

It took mankind more than a million years to reach the first billion .That was the world population around the year 1800.by the year 1900,the 2nd billion was added and the 20th century has added another 3.7 billion .the present world population is estimated at 5.7 billion.

SolutionFertility falls as income rise, education spreads, and

health improves . Thus development is the best contraceptive. But development itself may not be possible if the present increases in numbers continues.

Development – The best solution

Practicing water conservation and eliminating environmental pollution is important to preserve the Earth's natural materials. Recycling paper, plastics, metals and other products lowers the production of waste. Using solar energy is better than burning precious fossil fuels.

The average human being contributes a great amount of waste during a normal lifetime. Although the effects of abusing the environment may not be present in one generation, it is bound to appear in others. Weird fluctuations in temperature and climate throughout the world have caused crippling droughts and a scarcity of natural products. It is the responsibility of every citizen to respect the environment and prevent causing damage that affects future generations. More businesses are going green to protect the environment.

Control of Population

The population of India is estimated to be 920 million today – more than the entire populations of Africa and South America together.

A successful species will increase its population until their natural resources are consumed. In the case of humanity: people attempt to be 'green', some people choose to be vegan and so on, with the intent of reducing ones footprint on the planet. However, our numbers keep increasing, which could mean that it might still be a 'half-measure' and eventually we still will use up all our 'footprint-space' or natural resources. Our population limit will just be greater that it would have been when using bigger footprints. This would make us live in a more crowded manner.

Reducing population would mean we have more resource per capita, so less incentive to waste them. And we already waste a lot. We may consume less overall, but we may also consume way more per capita. That isn't positive change in my opinion.

Education of People

Education is essential for effective population control because awareness among people is must for birth control.

Effective control of the population was vital for the growth of the nation, development of the economy and equal distribution of the resources among the all people.

The Changing Era

For the first time in human history we see a transcending concern – the survival not just of the people but of the planet . We have begun to take a holistic view of the very basis of our existence.

The environmental problem does not necessarily signal our demise, it is our passport for the future. The emerging new vision has ushered in the Era of Responsibility.

Increasing Awareness The following can be done in this regards:

--Make it one of the top priority of the government--It should be taught to all children from primary to middle class as core subject--This should not be just symbolic; but must imbibe instilling a realistic concern in all children--There should be awards and recognition for children who show good work in this regard--Promoting the idea through stories as ads on TV and radio--Planting saplings of trees; every tree cut for development projects must be replaced by planting at least 50-100 saplings. --Participating by government at international level and adopting the action plan in government policies--Awards, recognition and incentives for industrial set ups at green sites, and those who take initiatives for environment protection

Paragraph…..

Industry has a most crucial role to play in this new era of responsibility. What a transformation would be effected if more businessmen shared the view of the chairman of Du Pont,Mr Edgar S.Woolard who, five years ago, declared himself to e the company’s “chief environmental officer”. He said, “our continued existence as a leading manufacturer requires that we excel in environmental performance”.

Of all the statements made by Margaret Thatcher during the years of her Prime Ministership,none has passed so decisively into the current coin of English usage as her felicitous words: “No generation has a freehold on this earth, all we have is a life tenancy – with a full repairing lease". In the words of Mr. Lester Brown, “We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers ; we have borrowed it from our children .

About Industries…

Industries one of the most important thing which increases the GDP of our countries.

People invest in industries and mostly they get successful and earn a lot .

Lot of industries means lots of jobs opportunities which means a greater income of people and increase GDP in our country.

To make our country fully developed and to remove all the crises industries are one of the options.

A successful industrialist have a great income and if many industries are there then there will be great economic growth.

How the industries help in new Era ?.... Establishment of industries is generating the job oppourtiounties . Industries can also be compared to the helping hand for those who

have no income. Economic boom and latest technology. Increase in exports which will make large profits and will be utilized in

the development of country. GDP per capita will increase. High standard of living. Literacy rate increase and less deaths.

Questions / Answers….

How can industry play its role in the new era of responsibility ? Its well known that industries are the main source of causing

environmental pollution. There will be a great change in the preservation of environment if the industrialists become conscious of their responsibility and become environment friendly.

Why does the author quote the words of Mrs. Margaret Thatcher and Mr. Lester Brown?

The two statements quoted by the author support his pint of view about the need to protect environment. Both the statements lay stress on preservation of environment and holding it in trust for the coming generations.

Summary

Our Earth is an enormous living organism , of which we are living parts . This is our planet ,its destruction will make us all homeless . We are dependent on Earth and not the other way round . However , the thanklessness creature , man,is unconcerned about the dangers that pose threats to our survival . The articles by Nani Palkivala deals with the concern of the environmentalists at this eleventh hour and talks about the new awareness that has dawned upon our race . A holistic and ecological view of the world has been brought into consideration . The Green Movement launched in 1972 has never looked back .

There is a growing need of sustainable development , which was popularised by World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987.

Man is the most dangerous creature , as it was declared by a zoo in lusaka,Zambia. Human beings are taking too much time to realize the need of the hour . One of the members of Brand Commission , Mr. L.K.Jha , raised a vital question , are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and ailing environment ?

Mr.Lester R.Brown expressed his worries over the fact that our four biological systems are reaching an unsustainable level. The tropical forest , the powerhouse of evolution , as Dr. Meyers called them , are being destroyed causing extinction of several species.

The fear hovers , what if the words , forests precede mankind and deserts follow, come true . And the reality is that India is losing its forests at the rate of 3.7 million acres a year. The Article 48A of the Indian Constitution provides that the State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and safe-gaurd the forests and wildlife of country . To conserve the environment and to bring down the population of world , which is 5.7 billion, Palkhivala suggests that development is the only solution . Fertility falls as the income rises , education spreads , and health improves . Nani supports compulsory sterillization and defends it by saying there is no alternative but coercion.

The population of India today is more than 920 million, which is more than the entire population of Africa and South America. What is happening today is that rich are getting richer and poor are begetting children, which begets them to remain poor. Now the folks are realize what endangers our race. It is not about the survival of human race but the survival of the planet earth.

It is an Era of Responsibility. The industrialists have to understand the present concern with most consideration. The view of Chairman of Du Pont, Mr. Edgar S. Woolard is much appreciable, our continued existence as a leading manufacturer requires that we excel in environmental performance .

Let us be grateful to mother nature and keep Margaret Thatcher’s felicitous words. No generation has a freehold on this earth. All we have is a life tenancy with a full repairing lease. In the words of Mr. Lester Brown, we have not inherited this earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children.

QUOTES Earth provides enough to satisfy everyman’s

needs, but not everyman’s greed. No generation has a freehold on this earth.

All we have is life tenancy – with a full repairing lease.

We all have not inherited this planet from our forefathers : we have borrowed it from our children.

message

The future of humanity will depend on how we steward the resources of land, of soil, of water and seeds and pass them to future generation

Thank

you