“Perhaps the Earth can teach us when everything seems dead and later proves to be alive. Now I’ll count up to twelve and you keep quiet and I will go.”
Extreme changes in climate, from unexpected rain in March to sharp drops in temperature, warm summers, and longer, heavier rainfall, stir a growing fear — will humanity and the Earth survive this? The question of whether humans are to blame has been debated for some time.
Yuval Noah Harari in his book Sapiens, talked about how ancient humans altered the balance of nature. Wherever they went, extinctions followed—giant sloths, mammoths, moas, wiped out because of human greed and carelessness. He called us “ecological serial killers.” That phrase sticks with me because, in a way, it feels like history repeating itself.
The evidence is circumstantial, but it’s hard to imagine that Sapiens, just by coincidence, arrived in Australia at the precise point that all these animals were dropping dead of the chills. There have been more examples that may prove the guilt of sapiens, being the reason for the mass extinction of different species at a different level. For instance, The megafauna of NZ which survived all weathers but suffered devastatingly after the first humans set foot on the island or the mammoth, which suddenly disappeared to extinction about 4,000 years ago, just when the first humans reached the island. Homo sapiens held the record among all organisms for driving the most plant and animal species to their extinction. We have the dubious distinction of being the deadliest species in the annals of biology.
Today, the signs are everywhere. Insects—those tiny creatures most of us barely notice—are vanishing at an alarming rate. Their disappearance could disrupt entire ecosystems, threatening the very foundation of life. Scientists warn that one-third of plant and animal species could be extinct by 2070 if we don’t change our ways.
And yet, we act like we have all the time in the world.
In India, the effects are already being felt. During the lockdown, Delhi’s AQI, which usually ranges from 500-600 in winter, dropped to as low as 50. Residents of Jalandhar in Punjab saw the Dhauladhar mountain range for the first time in 30 years, a sight made possible by reduced industrial activity and fewer vehicles. India ranks 14th on the Global Climate Risk Index, yet it pays a disproportionate price for the developed world’s excesses. Human-induced climate change is disrupting rainfall patterns and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, leaving many to wonder if the coronavirus pandemic, with its temporary environmental reprieve, was a blessing in disguise.
As the Earth heals, the question arises: should we expect more “lockdowns” as part of Earth-healing programs? While no one knows for certain, it’s time to recognize the consequences of human actions on the planet. Saving Earth is far more urgent than finding new planets to inhabit. The planet is at a tipping point, and while money and technology may offer short-term relief, they won’t safeguard future generations. It’s not about sympathy for animals; it’s about responsibility. We’ve stripped ecosystems, and now we must protect what’s left.
The COVID-19 crisis was exacerbated by world leaders denying its potential impacts, just as they deny the impacts of climate change. If we don’t act now, the next crisis could very well be climate-related. Recovery is possible only if we first acknowledge the problem.
Wimbledon reportedly paid $2 million annually for pandemic insurance over the past 17 years. As a result, when the 2020 event was canceled, it received $141 million from the policy. A tennis tournament was certainly better prepared for a pandemic than the world’s governments. While many global powers focus on wielding destructive force, they fall flat when faced with a crisis like COVID-19. This highlights the need for smarter policies and more thoughtful preparation—because true power lies not in destruction, but in ensuring survival and resilience.
When I was in high school, I remember writing a poem about sparrows—their dwindling numbers, the rarity of their sight. It was later published in a national daily. At that time, I had no idea that my observation was linked to something much larger. Little did I know, it was a glimpse into the effects of climate change.
The world has witnessed rare environmental recoveries, like the healing of the ozone layer, proving that collective global action can reverse environmental damage. The idea is to change our relationship with nature.
The lockdown and its aftermath made me reflect on what we can do, individually. The takeaway is simple—
Slow down. Take time to understand. Don’t exploit what you don’t have a right to. Dedicate a day or two, every few weeks, to the Earth— work from home occasionally. Engage in activities that bring you joy, something productive, yet harmless to the planet. Participate in goodwill programs, and teach your family what truly matters. Rest, and pledge to avoid products that harm nature, even if temporarily. Work and money are important, but what good are they if the Earth doesn’t survive only? Embrace nature, feel its rhythm, and nurture it with respect.
Remember, we are the stewards of this Earth, and if we don’t protect it, who will?
As Severne Suzuki once said, “If you don’t have the time to fix it, please don’t break it.”
The sands of time have rendered fear. The Earth no longer sings a song of grandeur but instead echoes in sorrow. The next time you look at it, don’t be shocked — it’s no longer wondrous. Lend it peace; it’s tired.
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Read more anecdotes related to earth &/ COVID-19, below.