Man is the culprit
GANESH PRABHU
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Students get into a lively debate on the root cause behind floods, pollution and global warming
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Lively: Students of Dr. A.V. Baliga Institute of Social Sciences and Rural Management participating in the debate of EPlus Club.
Students of Dr. A.V. Baliga Institute of Social Sciences and Rural Management aired their views enthusiastically during a spirited debate on “Natural disasters are nothing compared to man-made disasters” as part of The Hindu EducationPlus Club activities at the Institute’s premises at Haradi near Brahmavar in Udupi district on October 31.
Initiating the debate, Akshata said that man-made disasters were causing more problems in the world. The carbon emissions were a direct result of a culture which encouraged people to consume more. This was responsible for an increase in global warming, causing the Himalayan caps to melt, resulting in floods. “Hence these floods cannot be said to be natural, but man-made,” she said.
Shalini said that people dying due to terrorist activities was a man-made disaster. Educated people were taking to terrorist activities. The attack on the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001 and the attack on the Taj Hotel in Mumbai on September 26, 2008 had led to hundreds of people losing their lives. “If this is not a man-made disaster, what is?,” she asked.
Intervening, Supriya Acharya said that human beings were responsible for natural disasters as they plundered natural resources ruthlessly. The reckless use of fertilizers had resulted in soil being rendered useless for agriculture. “Natural disasters happened once or twice a year, but man-made disasters were happening too often. There is now air, water, soil and sound pollution.”
Reckless action
Taranath K. said that greed and selfishness of human beings were responsible for an increase in man-made disasters. The reckless sinking of borewells was responsible for depletion of groundwater and consequently shortage of drinking water. Mega coal-based power projects were being set up in the coastal districts of the State, knowing fully well that they would lead to massive environmental problems. “Is this not greed?”
Arpita said that the scars of the atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki 60 years ago were visible even now. People there were still suffering from health problems. “People should think of the consequences of their actions,” she said.
Amita said that people now wanted to lead a luxurious life. They were destroying forests, leading to deforestation. This was in turn responsible for change in climatic patterns and other environmental problems. “People should lead simple lives.”
Chaya Naik said that weapons of mass destruction were being created. Their use could lead to unmitigated disaster.
Rohini said that communal hatred was preached by some people with perverted minds. The loss of hundreds of human lives during communal violence is totally a man-made disaster, she said.
All students of the Club aired their views. Moderators of the Club Naveen Kumar and Sarvesh were present.
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