Man and His Planetary Environment: Relooking Inclusive Development - Post COVID 19 Scenario

We have been taught to appreciate human beings as integral part of nature.  

Holistic, inclusive development is a central dogma of almost all ancient cultures. However, alarmed by the  scientific prophecies ahead in the trajectory of human societal development, especially after the previous world war, the global leadership had no option but to formally acknowledge the age old wisdom. More than a quarter of the principles of the Stockholm declaration speaks about the need to place humans as an inseparable part of our environment.

In essence, the future of man and his planetary environment is conjoined. While this is true, the present  COVID19 pandemic posits an opportunity to understand the importance of the linkage better.

This post intents to stir a healthy discussion on the need of holistic, inclusive development, and is addressed to all ecologists and environmentalists (especially the younger generation). The statement for scrutiny is as follows:

'In the backdrop of the increasing threat of zoonotic diseases, is it still relevant to state that humans are and should be an integral part of nature'?  

Statements in support & against are equally welcome. If the discussion gathers steam, we shall schedule an online debate in the coming days. 

Pitting Viruses Against Each Other: Does it make Sense?

I may sound novice, but decided to key my thoughts just in case, it may help

Can we pit one virus against another?

The question arose from the casual observation (which, needs professional confirmation)

At a given point of time, a man can get infected by only one 'type' of virus.


PS: by 'type', I do not mean strain

11th International Conference for Ecological Informatics

Calls for Sessions to the 11th International Conference for Ecological Informatics are open now.

For details, please visit
https://www.iiitmk.ac.in/cvrlei/icei2020/calls.html

LIVING THINGS: NATURES ENERGY CHECK DAMS

·        The unique combination of factors on the Earth, viz. gravity, oxygen-rich atmosphere, an abundance of polar fluid (water), and the trajectory around the Sun are primarily responsible for rendering it habitable.

·        The favourable thermal regime in the biosphere is conspicuous by its absence in the above list. The temperature on the Earth is a consequence of the greenhouse phenomena. Without gravity and (consequently) the atmosphere, the Earth will get much cooler and would have acted as a ‘heat sink.’

·        The 'warmth' further differentiates the Earth from her celestial sisters. While the other planets have become either heat emitters or sinks, the Earth is perched ‘on the fence.’ It can either become a heat sink or become hot enough to act as heat emitters.  

·        ‘Life’ balances the Earth on the fence.

·        Together, all the above-stated attributes entrapped the Earth between the two extremes (heat radiator and sink). The heat received on the earth began to be passed around between the three spheres (lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere).

·        It is important to acknowledge the centrality of gravity in this cycling.

·        The differential rate of energy release from each sphere cumulatively added the stress on the energy cycle.

·        Living organisms propped up as moderators that regulate the energy flow and thereby relieve the stress on the energy cycle.

·        The moderation was achieved by sequestering energy in the living body for some time.

·        Living organisms can be visualised as energy check dams.

·        It was logical to find more living mass in those regions on the Earth that receives more solar energy and has adequate water (the tropics).  While the hot arid and the arctic regions of the Earth represent micro-theatres of the above-stated heat radiator and sinks.

·        The abundant polar fluid (water) became the baton (medium) of the energy cycle.

·        A host of elements piggy-back on this baton.  

·        Left to itself, the probability of the Earth becoming a heat-sink seems to be higher. [While there were multiple ice ages, there were no heat-age(s) during the planetary evolution.]

·        One species has altered this probability. Unless under some unexpected, unforeseen planetary-scale events, the Earth is unlikely to have an ice-age shortly (planetary time scale).

·        However, indiscriminate human actions have begun to destabilise the planetary level equilibrium. Our action has released vast amounts of energy stored in innumerous check dams both on the lithosphere (plants) and hydrosphere (marine life). The equilibrium is slowly but surely shifting to the right side (warmer atmosphere).

·        There are two options in front of us:

either wait for the Earth to restore the equilibrium 

or

intervene to recreate energy check dams.

11th International Conference on Ecological Informatics (ICEI: 2020) Trivandrum, India

The eleventh International Conference on Ecological Informatics; (ICEI:2020) is scheduled in November 2020 at Trivandrum, India.

For details: https://www.iiitmk.ac.in/cvrlei/icei2020/

Desalinization: The Urban Water Stress Reliever

The availability water, undoubtedly limits scope of human activities in any region. Water is the baton in the energy cycle, which maintains everything as we know today. However, we seem to be programmed to maintain a careless attitude towards this elixir of life. 

Despite increasing awareness of consequences of our consumption pattern, we remain opulent and continue to slide down to increasingly more unsustainable realm. The news of acute water shortage and its controlled distribution in South Africa was tossed around on digital platforms with fervour. Not much later, did we get to hear similar stories from within India. These are unmistakeable harbingers of tomorrow.

Conservation of water is one of the most important contemporary challenges. It is more so, especially in a regime of meteorological uncertainty. Clouds of uncertainty loom large on conventional strategies of water conservation. However, the 7500 odd Km of our coastline offers a silver lining. It is high time we give a determined thought on desalinization as a panacea for our urban water stress. 

Although the notion of massive desalinization of water as source of water for urban consumption, at the first reading, may seem uneconomic; a closer study will reveal the contrary. The volume of water that will be available for agriculture itself will address a lot of economic, social and political anxieties. Establishment and operationalization of desalinization plants will create employment. The list of benefits is long. 

Sadly, innovators and early adopters are missing.