How sane are we?

                                                         

                         Anuradha Chaudhary

Summary

In this ecological essay "How sane are we?" Bagladeshi writer, Anuradha Chaudhary deals on the environmental issues. She comments mankind’s irresponsibility towards nature. She also blames politicians for most of the evils of environment and survival of mankind. She tells us the causes of environmental damage. She warns us about the effects of ecological destruction. Modern people, especially politicians are stupid who are not aware of bad effects of ecological destruction. People are digging their own grave by destroying nature and ecological system. Developed countries are busy in scientific discoveries and political leaders are only concerned in their own interests and getting vote in election. Common interest for protecting environment is ignored. If we don’t concern with these burning problems in environment, our existence will be in crisis. In this essay, Anuradha Chaudhary presents the following information which is most significant for us.

• Human beings mainly political parties are careless, ignorant and irrational towards nature and ecological problems.
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are so harmful that they affect the ozone layer, the screen of earth and cause 20% of the green house effect.
• Ozone layer absorbs 99% ultraviolet radiation of the sun and makes life possible on the planet.
• Depletion of ozone layer will disrupt ecosystem, cause lower agricultural products, suppress the immune system and cause skin cancer and eye cataracts.
• In 50 years time, there will have been disorder in ecological system due to the depletion of ozone layer. So developed countries have started campaign to stop greenhouse effect.
• The harmful effect because of the ecological destruction has been warned through science fiction also.
• Individually and collectively, we should try to bring fundamental change in our thinking and behaviour to preserve our existence.

Here, Annuradha Chaudhary is concerned with the ecological problems. By presenting problems, she calculates the effects of it and suggests us that nature is linked to socio-political issues. If we don’t bring fundamental changes, we might be drawn and sunk into doom. For this, we should take quick steps to change our way of thinking .

Seven most significant bits of information I have read in this essay are as follows:

1) There is the degrading condition of environment because of the collective irrationality of human beings. Politicians are more responsible for this degradation.

2) CFC is made up chlorine, florine and carbon. It is used as coolants, foam blowing agents, propellants (spray can) and cleaning agents.

3) CFC causes 20% green house effects, climatic disasters, the extinction of life on earth. It has also effects in the ozone layer.

4) Ozone layer is found some 20 to 50 k.m. above earth’s surface. It absorbs more than 99% of the sun’s ultraviolate radiation.

5) I have learnt that ozone layer is decreasing day by day. It can destroy human race. It disturbs natural eco-system, lower agricultural productivity, suppress the human immune system and it causes skin cancer and eye cataracts. Ozone levels can be recovered fully by 2066 A.D.

6) I have learnt about the science fiction “War with the Newts” and human beings irresponsibility towards future. For immediate advantages, they are eager to destroy living beings of this world.

7) It is necessary to have a change in thinking and doing politics. All people should agree to band the productions of CFC and other bad chemicals for the sake of life on earth.