Sustainable Development
Dr. Mrinal Chatterjee
The Earth is a little over 4.5 billion years old. The history
of life on Earth began about 3.8 billion years ago, initially with
single-celled prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria. Multicellular life evolved
over a billion years later and it's only in the last 570 million years that the
kind of life forms we are familiar with began to evolve, starting with
arthropods, followed by fish 530 million years ago (Ma), land plants 475Ma and
forests 385Ma. Mammals didn't evolve until 200Ma and our own species, Homo
sapiens, only 200,000 years ago. So humans have been around for a mere 0.004%
of the Earth's history.[1]
But the homo sapiens had one thing that other creatures did
not have: intelligence to transform one thing to the other to accomplice a task
or find a solution to a problem; and utilise/exploit nature. Call it
technology.
The roots of civilization
reach back to the earliest introduction of primitive technology and culture. Humans
make the first tools from stone, wood, antlers, and bones some 10 million years
ago. Prehistory begins in the Paleolithic Era, or "Early Stone Age," which is followed by the Neolithic Era, or New Stone Age. Humans
discover fire 1–2 million years ago. Humans first wear clothes in 25,000–
50,000 BCE. Earliest boats are constructed sometime in 10,000 BCE. Humans begin agriculture and settlements in
8000– 9000 BCE.
Agricultural
Revolution (between 8000 and 5000 BCE)
followed. The latter period marked a change in human history, as humans began
the systematic husbandry of plants and animals. Agriculture advanced, and most humans
transitioned from a nomadic to a settled lifestyle as
farmers in permanent settlements. No wonder that hand-made
bricks were first used for construction in the Middle East during 6000– 7000
BCE.
As farming developed, grain agriculture became more sophisticated and
prompted a division
of labour to store food between growing seasons. Labour divisions then led to the
rise of a leisured upper class and the development of cities. The growing complexity of human societies necessitated systems of writing and accounting. Many cities developed on
the banks of lakes and rivers; as early
as 3000 BCE some of the first prominent, well-developed settlements had arisen
in Mesopotamia ("the Land between the
Rivers"),on the banks of Egypt's Nile River, in the Indus River valley, and along the major rivers of China.
Iron was used for the first
time in decorative ornaments during 4000 BCE. However, iron age began in 1000
BCE as it was widely used for making tools and weapons in many parts of the
world by 1000 BCE. By that time wheel had already been invented (3500 BCE). From
then on gradually man started inventing machines that made life easier by
making tasks and chores easier.
By 18th century
man was inventing machines and processes more frequently. Italian Alessandro
Volta made the first battery (known as a Voltaic pile) in 1800. In 1801
Joseph-Marie Jacquard invented the automated cloth-weaving loom. The punched
cards it used to store patterns helped to inspire programmable computers. In
1814 George Stephenson built the first practical steam locomotive. Between 1820
and 1830 Michael Faraday built primitive electric generators and motors. In 1880s
Thomas Edison opened the world's first power plants. About the same time Carrie
Everson invented new ways of mining silver, gold, and copper and Charles
Parsons developed the steam turbine. In 1908 American industrialist and
engineer Henry Ford launched the Ford Model T, the world's first truly
affordable car.
In less than 250 years, an
industrial revolution swept the world and it changed human being’s relationship
with nature. Human being, who was dependant on nature for its survival and
sustenance thought of mastering it. As
technology progressed, anthropocentricism became the norm. Cosmocentrism took
back seat, or summarily rejected. Human development happened at the cost of
environment. Natural resources
were utilised, as if the resources were infinite. Rivers were dammed, forests
cleared, wiping out hundreds of species of flora and fauna. Minerals extracted.
Fossil fuel burnt like there was infinite supply. Human beings went on an ever
increasing consuming spree.
Natural
resources, including materials,
water, energy and fertile land, are the basis for our life on Earth. All of
these were threatened by the wanton misuse and mindless exploitation.
And then, gradually Mother
Nature began to react. Rivers changed its course. Rivulets and streams dried.
The sea rose and cyclones struck with greater frequency and destructive power. Rain
fall became erratic. Summer became harsher. So did winter. It was a warning
bell.
Scientists could hear it, even
as millions began experiencing it across the world. Scientists and philosophers
could realise what was on the offing: apocalypse, unless the present rate and
manner of consumption was contained. The world is already experiencing a severe
potable water shortage. By the year 2025, an additional 2.9 billion people will
strain tightening water supplies, and the world's energy needs will go up 60
per cent by 2030, according to the United Nations. Fossil fuel will exhaust in less
than 50 years. Large tracts of land will be gulped by rising sea. The future of the planet seems dark.
Wasteful energy policies, overuse of resources, water supply
shortages, global climate change, and deforestation are just some of the issues
experts say need to be addressed for humans to achieve sustainable living on
this planet.
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