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Before the World Ends

Colours in the making


When the monsoon landed in Kerala towards the end of May, the meteorological department predicted excess rains this season. The reality, as usual, cocked a snook at the forecast. It rained cats and dogs for a few days, probably because of certain disturbances in the oceans, and then the sun lashed the state mercilessly.

I put trust in the forecast and bought quite a few flower pots to add colours to my close surroundings. I’m not giving up anyway even if the rains ditch me. If I have bought the pots, I will also make sure that plants grow in them. May not be flowers. Even the nursery staff tell me that it is difficult to grow flower plants given the nature’s unpredictable behaviour. So I have collected leafy plants with all possible colours. When they all grow up, I will have all the colours I wanted around my house. 

We, in Kerala, are better off than our counterparts in North India where the temperature is well above 40 degrees Celsius in many places including the capital city. But let us not forget that the temperature crossed 40 degrees in Kerala too this summer. Kerala’s summer is in March-April unlike in North India where it is in May-June.

I remember my childhood when we walked to school in June-July braving heavy showers. Where did all those rains go now?

Recently the Chairman of ISRO, Dr S Somanath, said in a lecture that the temperature on earth can hit 70-75 degrees Celsius in 2050-2075. He said in no uncertain terms that human life on earth would definitely become difficult because of such climate changes.

Why are our leaders not taking necessary action in this regard? They are so absurdly and insanely obsessed with religion and the country’s ancient glory. They are still constructing temples and pilgrimage centres instead of taking urgent action to save the planet. We are not even putting aside funds for doing meaningful things on behalf of the planet. Our leaders seem to really believe that the gods will come and save us.

Look at the following two images from the latest issue of Down to Earth [1-15 June 2024]. One shows what we need to do and the other shows how we are not doing anything at all. Extremely poor governance. No vision.


A recent judgement in a case related to the conservation of the great Indian bustard and the lesser florican, the Supreme Court of India asserted the citizens’ right to “be free from the adverse effects of climate change.” Yes, protection from nature’s furies is the citizens’ right; temples for gods could wait.

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Comments

  1. magiceyeJune 17, 2024 at 7:43 PM

    We are more keen on bigger monuments and statues. Nature can take care of itself (by eliminating us for sure!)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Liz A.June 18, 2024 at 2:31 AM

    The problem is those in power don't realize that working this problem will help keep them in power. They don't think beyond the immediate, and the immediate is denying anything is wrong.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalJune 18, 2024 at 5:48 AM

      So true! Such shortsighted people enter politics usually.

      Delete
  3. Yamini MacLeanJune 18, 2024 at 1:17 PM

    Hari Om
    I can add little beyond cheering you on to keep writing about this... Even here any proper effort to encourage green behaviours has taken backward steps simply by not taking any forward. YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalJune 18, 2024 at 1:21 PM

      Thanks for the cheer, Yam. By and large, ordinary people are yet to take this issue seriously.

      Delete
  4. vanderloostJune 26, 2024 at 6:14 AM

    The plants, even in shade, are scorched this summer. It's disheartening to know about the lack of budget allocation for climate control, environment improvement.

    ReplyDelete

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