Climate Change Lessons From Hindu Mythology

According to ancient Hindu mythology, time has been divided into four Yugas or eras. The Satya Yuga or the Age of Truth, the Treta Yuga or the Age of Perfect Morality, the Dwapara Yuga or the Age of Courage and Competition and the Kali Yuga or the Age of Destruction. 

For the sake of argument, let us assume that the Age of Truth was a simpler time of subsistence agriculture and humans living off the land. With bountiful resources and small communities, this era of peace was born from the ultimate truth - that of natural selection. Then as humans evolved and communities grew, the Age of Morality was born. This was a time of great scientific and moral learning and led to the birth of religions and civilizations. With a stable lifestyle, population boomed and trade and colonies were established among different cultures around the world. This era was known as the Age of Courage & Competition and included numerous colonial explorations, the Two World Wars and ended with the competitive Cold War. Finally, we stumbled into the Age of Destruction. According to Hindu mythology, we are currently in the Age of Destruction and the phrase, ‘devil in disguise’ rings true for this era.

With the Green Revolution and invention of the antibiotics, we were able to clone entire living species and cure incurable diseases. Society progressed to new heights and never before in history had there been so much universal peace. With abundant food, medical miracles andrising wealth, human population flourished like never before. However, with good and evil being two sides of the same coin; these successes came at a price.

Our planet’s health is the price we pay for having comforts such as fresh oranges in the winter or 30 minute pizza deliveries. With the world population currently at 7.5 billion, our unrestricted resource extraction to fulfill consumption needs is taking a toll on Mother Nature. Even with the wonders of the 21st century, one would think ‘the more the merrier’, but here too, we seemed to have failed. With half the global wealth owned by the richest 1%  and nearly half the world’s population – more than 3 billion people – living in poverty, our ability to improve the standard of living for only a select few, seems selfish and wasteful. With huge income disparity and unrestricted consumption patterns,  it seems that the Age of Destruction has finally shown up at our doorstep.

Matsya saving Vaivasvata
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Like most good stories, Hindu mythology has a a strong protagonist and this role is played by Vishnu, the God of Gods. Vishnu is known to have been reincarnated ten times to transition the world from one yuga to the next. In one of his first avatars, Matsya, he is known to take the form of a fish. Matsya helps Manu, the first man and the progenitor of humanity, to survive a great flood. Keeping in tune with the reincarnation theme in Hinduism, Manu is reincarnated in each eon or Kalpa and the current world is once ruled by Vaivasvata or the seventh Manu. Vaivasvata was the king of ancient India and Matsya warns him of this great flood. Heeding Matsya’s warning, he builds a boat that carries his family and seven great sages to safety. Does this story sound familiar? Yes, according to ancient history. The tales of a great flood have been described for centuries by almost every culture around the world.

From the first civilizations of Mesopotamia to the Biblical Genesis flood, from the lore of the K’iche’ and Maya people of Mesoamerica to the legend told by the Lac Courte Oreilles Oibwa tribe of Native Americans, the story of a great flood exists in almost every continent. Without Facebook or CNN around 3000 BC, how did a Mesopotamian tale have the same story as that of a Native American legend? One explanation might be that there was a catastrophic rise in sea water level which happened almost simultaneously around the world. This rise in sea water level could explain a Mayan lore having the same origins as a Hindu myth. However, before you start thinking of this as Conspiracy Theory 101, according to hard scientific data, we know that climate change really did happen in the past and it was Au Natural.

In the past few decades, however, we have failed to recognize that climate change can also be man-made and will only get worse with every ounce of carbon we emit into the atmosphere. With growing affluence and an expanding middle class, the ability for anyone with a decent income to travel from New York to Mumbai in less than 24 hours just shows the level of globalization and connectivity that humans have achieved. With an average of 100,000 flights a day, shouldn’t we at least acknowledge that our current fast-paced-consumption-oriented lifestyle can have a serious impact on the health of our planet.

In the era of high speed internet and solar powered airplanes, what can ancient mythology teach us about climate change? Well for starters, it teaches us that history (the popular belief being that history inspires mythology and the line between them is blurred at times) repeats itself and that catastrophic climate change that had happened in the past can certainly happen again in the near future.

In the face of the global climate change, studies have shown the growing instances of Solastalgia or the distress and depression affecting people that experience this environmental change. On the forefront of those affected, are the environmentalists and climate scientists that deal with the hard facts everyday but don't see any action being taken on reducing carbon emissions. Unfortunately for society, even a 2 degree Celsius rise in global temperatures is catastrophic and the difference between the predicted 2 and 4 degrees Celsius is humanity’s survival.

Nature, much like an ever forgiving mother, gives out second chances to even the most undeserving of children. She has not only blessed us with intellectual capabilities that allow us to imagine our future, but we can also choose to form and break habits. This ability to break a habit in the face of grave danger and surviving against all odds makes us the underdog - and boy oh boy, does society love an underdog story!  

In the ancient days, Noah and Manu could bank on the Almighty to warn them against nature’s wrath. It is time we heed the wise words of our climate scientists and the moral underpinnings of our myths, to reach a consensus on cutting global carbon emissions at COP-21 in Paris this year. Let us choose to be underdogs in the fight against climate change and survive against all odds in this self-fulfilling prophecy known as the Age of Destruction.

Global Warming: Who will do the dishes?

The problems that will affect future generations have roots in the actions we take today. Whether we keep exploiting our environment or turn towards sustainable development, it will have an effect on the environmental legacy that future generations receive. An ethical decision or the lack of it, can turn the tide on future environmental issues. The effect that global warming & climate change can have on a particular nation varies in degree. For example, a country like India could suffer massive droughts and Antarctica could become the next Amazon basin. The 'where and how' of the crisis caused by climate change is unpredictable. The only thing predictable is the precautions we take to avert the damage of such a crisis.

 The degree of precautions to be taken by each country depends on the level of development of the nation. For a developed country, the enforcement of environmental policies is much easier than for a developing nation. In developed countries, the existing rules encompasses environmental well-being keeping in mind the basic standard of living for each person. The low population in developed countries is an added bonus that makes enforcement a lot easier. In Canada, every government agency is required to complete an Environmental Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) before taking on a project. The Canadian government uses this method to determine the pros and cons of a future project. For example, if the benefits (public park used by the local community for recreation and community gardening) outweigh the negatives (such as loss of prime developable land), then the cost benefit analysis suggests the need to conserve the open space rather than develop it. 

Any ethical decision becomes easier when public policy tools such as CBA or regulatory agencies (Environment Canada and the Ministry of Environment and Forest for India) are in place. For most developing countries; the underdevelopment, lack of effective regulatory bodies and low public awareness about environmental issues create a barrier for sound decision-making in situations of environmental challenges. The lack of development not only leads to a 'pro-development and no-environment' approach, but also results in unsustainable decisions.

For a unique country like India where languages and cultures change every few kilometers, the government is required to satisfy local needs in order to implement any decisions. Interning for a government agency such as the City and Industrial Development Corporation of New Bombay (CIDCO), I witnessed several instances where 'morchas' or organized rallies of local political parties or unions caused havoc if their needs were not addressed. These morchas consist of villagers, political leaders, project affected people and women support groups to name a few. In order to tackle environmental problems in development, it has to be done with a lot of public support and a clear sense of ethics. Addressing the local issues of unemployment, rehabilitation, poverty, illiteracy, gender rights, economic development as well as environmental issues cannot be in silos like 'environment' or 'development.' 

Although universal in some ways, the ethics that a bureaucrat in India uses is vastly different from that of a Canadian civil servant. Development and the environment will always be addressed as a trade off but if balanced it can lead to overall improvement. The developing countries need to achieve a standard of living that somewhat matches that of the developed nations. This higher standard of living cannot be achieved without the ethical dilemma that haunts every environmental vs developmental situation. With no sustainable development there is rampant greed and exploitation of the environment. We can ensure that the development is sustainable through meeting local and environmental needs. However, it is inevitable that the environment will have to be compromised in some way or another when dealing with large scale development. 

By having a higher sense of ethical duty towards the environment, the developed nations can help balance the temporarily lower sense of ethical duty exhibited by the developing nations. The scenario of the developed nations stepping up to the challenge is necessary and the need of the hour, as developing nations will need future guidance in combating climate change. The story of dirty dishes comes to my mind when talking about responsibility in the global warming issue; at some point during last year, my roommate and I had our pile of dirty dishes in the sink. Like all university students we were no exception to procrastination. The dishes probably remained there for a whole two days before one of us gave in to our guilty conscience and started cleaning up. The minute one of us started washing the other one immediately offered to help with the cleaning process. At that point it didn't matter who put them there; it just had to be cleaned before a greater threat of smell and rodents was added to the messy situation. Similarly someone needs to step up and clean the existing mess that affects our planet. Our guilty conscience needs to kick in before its too late. It is easier for developed nations to tackle this issue at this point rather than a developing nation where basic water needs aren't getting fulfilled. 

Environmentalists such as Garrett Hardin and Rachel Carson, believe in giving intrinsic value to the environment. If we don't assign value to something, we tend to take it for granted. Nowadays this value is calculated in cold hard monetary terms. However, if we choose to protect future generations we need to assign a moral value to the environment. An ethical solution is that which considers the needs of an entity that does not have a voice or can be considered morally relevant. The environment is one such entity that requires our protection and utilizing the theory of intergenerational justice is one such outlook towards not compromising the obligations to the future with the needs of the present. 

Author's Note:
This blog post was published as an opinion piece in The Economic Times of India. Link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/global-warming/Global-warming-Who-will-do-the-dishes/articleshow/38986772.cms

What Kind of An Environmental Citizen Am I?

During the 1970’s there was an energy crisis that shook the world and people began to realize that natural resources like coal and petroleum were finite. This was the time when increases in consumerism and population growth were occurring simultaneously. There was an increased global demand for fossil fuels to such an extent that it was the second most world-changing event after the Great Depression. This low period of history also led to the emergence of the concept of environmental preservation and the curtailing of overexploitation of resources.

Despite the shortsighted human nature of perceiving the future, there were various grass-root movements and economic models that grew out of this crisis. Environmentalists like Wangari Maathai and economists like E.F. Schumacher inspired the movements that were emerging around this time. The banner of being an environmental citizen was finally raised and influenced people to be a part of it.

Switching off the lights, buying organically grow fruits instead of those that are mass produced using fertilizers, toilets that conserve water when flushing, utilizing a bucket instead of the shower to bathe, reusing old shirts as rags instead of paper towels are the eco-friendly things I do at home. To play my role in protecting the environment, I have tried to be a good if not the best, eco-friendly citizen that I can be.

General regard about various environmental issues still lacks support. There are people in this world that still believe global warming to be a myth, even if there is evidence to prove otherwise. The lack of concern is due to lack of awareness.  The simple act of recycling newspaper changes the way we function as a household. As Gandhi said, “ You must be the change you wish to see in the world”, we can only influence others if we are the ones who affect and introduce that change. Protecting the environment is all about identifying various areas of concern and finding solutions to them

During my summer before university started, I interned for a consultancy based in Mumbai, called the Environment Management Centre (EMC). Dr.Prasad Modak, who is a key figure in the Environmental field in India, founded it in 1996. It is a well-known company that frequently partners with the UN. They handle lots of regional and international assignments. My job as an intern was to push the idea of a ‘Green Directory for Office Supplies’. The Green Directory was the first of its kind in India. Being a publication of the Green Purchasing Network of India (GPNI) it serves as a resource pool where customers can make an informed decision before buying an eco-friendly office products. It is divided into a featured and a general version. My task was to research and find the background of around 200 suppliers in Mumbai that sell eco-friendly office products. I had to contact and follow up with these individual suppliers and then collect the product information. I had to make online surveys regarding the market for eco-friendly goods in India, as well as do a literature review about the type of product that was in demand. It was an interesting experience, as I had to make a few field visits. I saw how eco-friendly goods were sold at a premium price and how people in the private sector were willing to buy such goods and switch over to a sustainable living.

By interviewing many buyers and talking to the manufacturers I got a good sense of how the upcoming market functions and why being ‘green’ plays a big role in it. It made me change a few habits at home as well, such as using more recycled paper, investing in a staple-less stapler and buying products that are made using fair-trade. Based on these experiences I concluded that there is a slow but upcoming market in eco-friendly products and services. The experience of working in an office environment, researching for a project that is related to the field that I can see myself working in the future, is a valuable one! 

Author's Note:Most university kids in the West, end up doing full time jobs every summer break! These jobs may be completely unrelated to the courses we take or even the careers we pursue after school, however there is a lesson to be learnt from each and every experience. Waiteressing or being a Salesperson can help one attain social skills or become just as efficient as one would in an internship --- it all depends on our attitude! It is obviously important for a student to earn their way through school but we should always have a open mindset no matter what we do! Each and every job has a learning curve and we must not only keep that in mind but also realize that in time, as we zoom through four years of undergrad, it becomes vital for us to start having experiences in the field of our choice! Building up the resume with a lot of volunteering stints is one such way to get good internships and co-op placements. The summer stint at EMC taught me the importance of pushing oneself to achieve what we think is impossible. It made me realize that I have the confidence to put myself out there and be the best! And that in itself is one of my greatest victories!
(This blog post is the first essay I wrote as an university student! Hope you enjoyed reading it)

Mahabharata: A Tale of Relevance

            Recently I read the epic tale of Mahabharata as a modern adaptation of the original sanskrit version written by Ramesh Menon. For those of you who don't know, Mahabharata is one of the greatest mythological tales written in ancient India by Sage Vyasa. The other equivalent mythological story being the Ramayana, a tale about the great prince of Ayodhya Rama and his epic battle with Ravana, the evil king of Lanka. The story of Mahabharata and Ramayana are based almost five centuries apart. Ramayan is the previously written literature and was penned by Sage Valmiki, who was regarded as the first poet of India. According to the Indian culture, both the epics belong to the genre of Itihaasa or a narrative of past events that capture the values of an ideal person. 

Scenes from the Mahabharata

This concept of an ideal man has always intrigued me and reading the Mahabharata made me further ponder on the different values and vices that men possess. In ancient Indian culture, time has always been divided into four yuga's or era's: Satya yuga (age of Truth) Treta yuga (age of perfect morality) Dwapara yuga (age of jealousy, courage and competition) and the Kali yuga (age of apocalypse). The era Mahabharata was based in is the Dwapara yuga. The God's had created the race of Kshtatriyas or Warrior Kings to rule the world with Dharma or Duty. Dharma as a concept in Hinduism is the highest ideal a person can achieve. It is as integral a part of our lives as the river is to its surroundings. As Indian culture states, every living being follows a never-ending cycle of life and death. Dharma is our sense of duty that frees us from this cycle and helps us in attaining Moksha or eternal freedom. 

The path to liberation is through both sorrow and joy. In short, we must not only live life and accept all the burdens and joys that come with it, but also find that sense of purpose that we are born to fulfill. The story of Mahabharata exemplifies this concept as a kshtatriyas dharma to fulfill his obligation of destroying his race inorder to achieve his purpose of reining in the Kali yuga. It is as Professor Dolores Umbridge said in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, 'Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged.' Similarly destroying the tyrannical and arrogant warrior race of kings was a necessary step towards achieving the last era of destruction. As Shiva (god of destruction) is required to destroy the old and Brahma (god of creation) is required to renew, so was the destruction of ten million kshatriyas on the battlefield of Kurukshetra necessary for the universe to rebuild itself. 

The birth of  Bhagvad Gita 

The story of Mahabharata begins with the birth of Veda Vyasa who was regarded as one of the great sages in ancient times. It is the story of how Lord Vishnu, the God of God's was reincarnated into the world as Krishna of Dwarka with the purpose of ending the Dwapara yuga and ushering in the Kali yuga. The great war of Mahabharata was fought on the battlefield of Kurukshetra which is the present day State of Haryana. It was a battle that lasted eighteen long days in which every king of India took one of the two sides. The legend of Mahabharata begins with King Shantanu of the House of Kuru. He ruled from Hastinapura, known as the city of elephants, which was also the capital of the Kuru empire. Shantanu married Ganga who had taken a women's form and a few years later a son named Devavrata (later known as Bheeshma) was born to them. However, Bheeshma never sat on the the Kuru throne and instead Shantanu's blind grandson Dhritarashtra became the king. The blind king had a hundred sons called the Kauravas. His brother, Pandu was the king in all but name, and his five sons were known as the Pandavas. 

As with every story, the main theme of Mahabharata is a fight between the powers of good and evil. It captures the enmity between the Pandavas and Kauravas and shows us how envy is man's ultimate downfall. The Pandavas were gods incarnated to fight for Dharma, whereas the Kauravas were forces of evil led by the charming Duryodhana. The only fault Duryodhana possessed was the envy and jealousy he felt for his cousins. Although he was generous to a fault, a loyal friend and a loving brother, his arrogance and greed were his downfall. He would have made a magnificent king had it not been for this one significant vice. The principles we as a society believe in are loyalty, compassion, honesty, charity, patience and justice. However having only values and no vices is just not human nature! The same goes to say for the Pandavas, Yudhishtira the eldest of the Pandavas, gambled away his entire kingdom in a game of dice. He might have committed the same amount of sins as Duryodhana had he not decided to overcome his addictions and master his desires. This one act in the name of Dharma helped him become more virtuous and achieve enlightenment. 

Over time as rationality and knowledge grew the element of nature's mystery disappeared. Fear and knowledge have always been contradictory in nature and with the sudden increase in knowledge the fear of the unknown has been reduced greatly. In the olden days we put our faith in God and thought more about our dharma in this life as well as the next. This sense of faith and duty to a higher being bound us as a community and created respect of the unknown. However, the age we live in is now filled with selfishness, indulgence and lack of emphathy. According to the ancient indian scriptures this age is also known as the Kali yuga. I think that it is important for all of us to take time out and remind ourselves of a simpler age when we believed in the greater good. 

Scriptures found at the Prince of Wales Museum in Mumbai

In todays world the story of Mahabharata is more relevant than ever! It reaffirms human nature and the strife between good and evil. Indian culture unlike any other has always emphasized the importance of Dharma or Duty. It is this dharma that brings us to the right path and lets us lead a satisfied life. Experience has always taught me that following ones conscience is and always will be the best way to make any life changing decisions. That applies to the limits we set on ourselves and how well we react to situations that test our principles. However, if we are true to our dharma we achieve the impossible and find our purpose in life. 

Author's Note:

I would like to dedicate this blog post to my amazing grandfather, Sheshrao Saravade who passed away at the age of 82 on June 30, 2013. He was a great intellect who loved having conversations about life, society and politics. He found his passion early in life and made his mark as a well renowned lawyer. He later became a spritual person who loved to read Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram's work. My grandfather always encouraged me to follow my dreams and I would like to say that I miss him very much and hope that he finds peace and happiness in the next world as well.