So You Want to Know About the Environment

by Bijal Vachharajani

1 http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/08/19/magpies-challenge-bird-brain-m/

  2 http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/archive/newsrel/health/07-02avianbrain.asp

  1 A version of this story first appeared in www.dailyo.in

  THE END

  OKAY, NOT QUITE, A SMALL LECTURE IS DUE HERE

  Congratulations!

  You’ve finished reading this book. Or well, you skipped a bunch of chapters, and landed up right here, at the very end. Either ways, you’re kind of an Ecovestigator, Greenetective, Enviroagent, Conservationsleuth. Well done.

  But before you frame that certificate, a few more things.

  We live in an imbalanced world

  One thing’s kind of clear—everything is inter-connected. Climate change, water, food, waste and its impact on human beans (As Roald Dahl’s Big Friendly Giant would call us) and flora and fauna and vice versa!

  These impacts, however, aren’t felt equally by people across the globe. For example, the weather gets hotter, some of us can afford to switch on our air-conditioner and close the door on the world outside. Yet, millions of people including children can’t do that. Some don’t even have homes, let alone fans and ACs. When it gets cold, it’s not pleasant being out on the streets, or in a home without a heater. People die from intense heat or cold waves.

  We already know that with unpredictable weather, food prices will be affected. Some of us, again, will be able to get food from across the world, where there may be more optimum climate conditions. But not everyone can afford expensive food. Food is a basic human right, and by making it unaffordable, we are violating that right when someone goes to sleep hungry.

  The same goes for water—as cities go deeper into villages for precious water, the people who live there get affected. They have to walk for hours to get water, stand in line, and sometimes do without water. And that’s because a handful of people waste more water or pollute it, making it undrinkable for others. When conditions become harsh, families are often forced to migrate. They come to the cities and find daily labour and their quality of life is not very nice.

  This unfair distribution is a form of social and environmental injustice. A lot of the issues that you read about in this book affect poor children more than upper middle class and rich children.

  RACK YOUR BRAINS

  How can your actions impact someone you’ve never met.

  Have you ever thought about that?

  SO, WHAT NOW?

  Can you figure out the one thing that connects the points below?

  ▶Our climate

  ▶Our water

  ▶Our air

  ▶Our natural world of animals and plants

  ▶Our food

  ▶Our people

  That’s right! The word ‘Our’. We are part of the environment and dependent on it. Yet we are destroying it at the same time. So strange!

  Of course the grown-ups are wrapped up in some strange environment versus economic debate. Some of them think that for India to develop economically, we need to dam water, cut down forests and mine hills. But let’s face it, development means having clean air, fresh water, and lots of green spaces. So then there’s really no debate, is there? We’re all on the same side—development that’s green, good for the economy, and that benefits all people, and not just a few rich people.

  P.S: Check out the book, So You Want to Know About Economics by Roopa Pai, to understand some of the gobbledygook behind economics.

  THEN, IT’S UP TO THE YOUNG GENERATION TO PROTECT THE EARTH! GO TEAM YOUNG ONES!

  Annoying isn’t it when adults tell you that? The grown-ups are supposed to be the responsible ones, the ones who have figured it all out. But there we go, chasing fossil fuels, wasting food, destroying our soil with pesticides, filling up landfills, and cutting down forests.

  Most of us don’t do that directly. We don’t take a saw to a tree and cut it down. It’s pretty hard to do that, just to let you know.

  But our actions are responsible for that. So while we may be part of the problem, we are also part of the solution. What say?

  Recycling, consuming less, buying from farmers, aiding conservation measures, supporting green policies by voting for politicians for whom environment is important (well, when you are eighteen of course), our collective actions are important.

  Enough of the doom and gloom. Look around you. We are such an integral part of that awesome thing called nature.

  There are mighty trees that line our roads, some there for years and years, even before our grandparents. An entire ecosystem of birds, flowers, insects, fruits live in those trees. For those of you lucky to live close to the sea (or well, now with climate change, perhaps less lucky), there’s the constant ebb and flow of the tide, the little crabs that scuttle around in the waves, the shells that insects leave behind. Others have an unparalleled view of cloud bobs around them, the mountains wrapped in clouds and snow, or forests that are home to water and wildlife.

  It’s hard to imagine our Earth without all of this.

  There are small things we can all do:

  ▶Spend a little time outdoors—take a walk, look at the mysteries of nature, why are the ants so busy, why do leaves turn red, or just enjoy the walk. And feel, what Rachel Carson, calls a sense of wonder. (It’s also healthy, by the way).

  ▶Become a biophile, and not biophobic. Biophilia is love for nature while biophobia is a fear of it.

  ▶Save, don’t waste.

  ▶Conserve and protect what you love—chocolate, animals, water.

  ▶Spread the word.

  ▶Add your own thoughts here.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Writing this book was as challenging as finishing my Math homework while I was in school. Mainly because, as a grown-up, I managed to find more important things to do such as baking cookies or doodling, instead of writing. But now that the book is done, it’s down to the people on this page.

  My mother, Jayshree, was the one who showed me what it means to have love and concern for all the wild things and their forests. My father, Mayur, encouraged me and made sure I had all the books I needed, even if he wouldn’t get me a dog. My sister, Chaitali, who gave me my first wonky fringe, has been unwavering in her support, as has her husband, Salil. Thank you Narendra Kaka and Yamini Kaki for being amazing.

  The idea of this book took form at Sangam House, the wonderful residency organised by Arshia Sattar, D.W. Gibson and Rahul Soni in Nrityagram. Thank you Sreelata Menon for the fellowship. Am ever grateful to Stephy, Suhani, Shinibali, Lalitha, Mithil, Namrata, Deborah, Neha, Hashim, Amit, LOW Lives, as well as Chitra, Fiona, Amrita, Jairaj, Rohini, Dharini, Ruth and Abhilasha.

  I am fortunate to have had wonderful mentors including Bittu and Madhu Sahgal, Ingrid Newkirk, Jason Baker, Will Bates, Naresh Fernandes, and Nandini Ramnath. A place that’s special to me is the University for Peace in Costa Rica, where I studied climate change. Thank you Greg, Katy, Suroor, Jen, ESP, CPC, and my professors Jan, Stephen, Rolan, Eric, Rob, and Reg. This one’s for Mahmoud.

  Sayan, whose illustrations give meaning to this book, it was fun working with you. And Mohit for this gorgeous cover. The wonderful team at Red Turtle, including Mugdha and Shreya. Rrishi Raote for proofing the book with an eagle eye. A big hug to Vaishnavi, Tsitsi, Tendai, Maegan, Raju, and Mathangi who read my manuscript and to Roopa Pai and Jerry Pinto who gave me confidence. A warm hug for my friends and contributors Prerna, Dilpreet, Nirmal, Kartick, Zack, and Ashima.

  There are some people without whom this book wouldn’t be complete. Sudeshna, my publisher and friend, for her unwavering faith, warmth, and timely stern emojis. Deepanjana and Gauri, for love, laughter, tissues, and a pair of very able shoulders each. To J.K. Rowling who doesn’t know me, but continues to inspire me with her magic tapestry of words. And Abhiyan who makes me believe in the beautiful things in the world. He also eats all the cake I bake while procrastinating.

  t to Know About the Environment