Nature will change if we don’t

It is for everyone to decide how to cut the consumption of gases that are warming the environment

The Sultanate of Oman celebrated Tree Day on Sunday (October 31), with events and announcements marking the day. As an environment-friendly country, it has taken many measures to protect and conserve the environment — be it the turtle reserve or protected areas in terms of sensitivity towards wildlife and flora and fauna, the country’s records are very high.

There is a decent limit to high-rise buildings in the country, and people generally don’t mess with the environment. Still, it is a task for policymakers to strike a balance between development and conservation of the environment.

National and international days in the name of Tree Day, Earth Day, Water Day, or even days in the names of animals and plants are great reminders for those sitting over the fence and waiting for their turn to be the victims.

The current generation has witnessed all kinds of environmental disorders in the forms of cyclone, sudden rain, forest fire, earthquake and many other maladies, but still not ready to do corrective measures thinking their boundaries are safe without realising that nature does not have any boundaries. It is anywhere and everywhere.

Special Report

The World Health Organization (WHO) came out with a ‘COP26 Special Report on Climate Change and Health’ months before the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), which began in Glasgow on Sunday. The conference has attracted world leaders as a mark of their commitment towards the environment.

The WHO report highlighted priorities for safeguarding the health of people and the planet that sustains us. “The Covid-19 pandemic has shone a light on the intimate and delicate links between humans, animals and our environment,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

“The same unsustainable choices that are killing our planet are killing people. WHO calls on all countries to commit to decisive action at COP26 to limit global warming to 1.5°C — not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s in our own interests,” he said.

Climate change is an issue that can be addressed collectively. Despite having the best environmental practices, a country cannot sit satisfied that it is doing enough to protect the environment. It has to be proactive in convincing others, even its neighbours, to adopt the best practices because the bad environmental practices are not only to harm the country in question but also to its neighbours and others. This is the time for everyone to understand that the countries have their boundaries, but nature does not.

It is for everyone to decide how to cut the consumption of gases that are warming the environment. The governments have a huge responsibility to draw policies and make their people aware about the environmental disorders.