This article has been written for Techkriti Blog for a Cause Contest. The topic was: “We Do Not Inherit the Earth from Our Ancestors; We Borrow It from Our Children.” Keeping this philosophy into account how can we make sustainable development in the world For more information visit: http://www.socialscribblers.in/techkriti-blog-cause/

1. ‘Should I Become Fussy?’-Nature
Hello everyone! This is nature. I am quite amazed at my ability of staying calm
and wishing you all even after facing all the torture that you people have bestowed
upon me. After all the difficult times that I have seen, I am lost into deep thought at
what I should do and how I should react. Whether I must lie down on the floor and
cry like a little kid or should I abuse you at the top of my voice like an energetic and
rowdy teenager or should I do nothing at all. I hope you are all ears to whatever I
am saying.
Perhaps, I cannot say anything as I have always given whatever you wanted and
never asked for anything in return. That is my nature. It does not benefit me but I
cannot help it. The only thing I can do is advice you all to stop the damage that you
recklessly do, else you shall pay heavily for it. Consider this as a threat if you want
to.
This world was a better place to live in earlier. You started damaging it and are
continuing the damage. Life seems to have become easy for you but in the process

2. you are damaging yourselves. You started using CFC’s, depleted the ozone layer
and the number of skin cancer patients went up. You suffered. You started using
fuels recklessly; the number of asthma cases grew speedily. You suffered. You
started using water resources recklessly; the world faces a water scarcity problem.
Again, you suffer. Thanks to the ever increasing use of mobile phones, sparrows
have become a rare sight. Toddlers can now see sparrows only in their amazing
colorful books.
The new generation suffers all the more. Many newborns have health issues
related to degraded environment and bad lifestyle. It is such a pitiable sight. I would
like to stress on the fact that this planet is to see many more generations of animals
and plants. It is their right to live a healthy and peaceful life in this planet.
You do not own this planet. No one does. It is a beautiful creation for everybody
to live. Initially, it was ‘live’ now it is ‘survive’. This negative shade has come into
picture-credits-Homo sapiens.
It is you ancestors’ legacy that you follow and your child’s land that you borrow.
Sounds quite poetic, doesn’t it? Your ancestors have done nothing to me but damage
and you continue to do the same. There are several measures suggested by some

3. sane people. For instance, they advise you to plant three trees after cutting a tree.
But people seldom understand.
And it is my duty, to suggest you as I am talking, and as I have done time and
again, to follow what some good-hearted humans have come up with. It is called
sustainable development. It aims at development in the present without affecting the
needs of the future generations. You must be following this statement partially. You
aim at development in the present. None of you is bothered about serving the future
generations. No one even gives it a thought.
Always remember, all the wellness that you enjoy, the good health that you have,
is given by the future to the present. And they do expect something in return.
Something that you need to change is your mindset. Consider this world and all the
living organisms as your family and your journey towards achieving sustainable
development becomes easier. It is extremely difficult to achieve this mindset in the
ultra-professional mindset present today. But this is what needs to be done in case
you want to repay the gen-next.
Next, every individual present on this planet should contribute towards
sustainable development at his/her own level. Just fix the constantly dripping tap
and be happy. Use a public transport to travel small distances rather than using your
personal vehicle. While hanging out with friends, try to engage a single locomotive
which will reduce the fuel consumption. For instance, instead of using three 2wheelers for six people, a single four-wheeler could be used.
People who belong to rich backgrounds can build organizations and run
awareness programs. This will be of great help to those who are not well-educated.
This is also a form of charity which has a wider reach. You are not only helping
yourselves but other organisms too which have a lower organization.
Later, these organizations can be integrated to form one big organization which
shall work at national level. You will get to enjoy a fresh environment.
Similar things can be done at the international level. Certain resources such as
petroleum reservoirs which are native to Saudi Arabia and are non-renewable
should be preserved. An alternative to petrol and diesel must be found.

4. All these suggestions do not befit the selfish human nature and hence policies
must be made and followed strictly. Laws protect only the threatened and
endangered plant and animal species whereas all species must be protected.
I have put forth some essential measures. Some of these may be improvised to
suit your surroundings. Instead of land areas that you usually pass on to your
children as a property, try giving a healthy atmosphere. They shall always be
thankful.
Again, I hope you were listening.
- Alok Ayachit