A Thought for Mother Earth

IN THE HEAT and dust of Indian elections, have we forgotten Mother Earth? I ask because June 5, the day after the results of the greatest election exercise in human history are declared, is also World Environment Day. It was in June 1972 that the Stockholm Conference mooted the idea of fostering a common cause for climate change and worldwide consciousness, if not consensus, on how to improve our environment.

On December 15 of that year, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the resolution [A/RES/2997 (XXVII)] that created the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The following year, 1973, the first World Environment Day was observed on June 5. Half-a-century later, this year will be its 51st anniversary.

With all our attention focused almost exclusively, if not obsessively, on June 4, will we all but forget or overlook June 5? I hope not. Instead, I hope this year’s World Environment Day will be a much-needed and welcome occasion for rest, recuperation, and reflection, especially for India. After the toil and trouble of 44 days of fierce campaigning in the middle of an equally fiery and gruelling summer, we all need to divert our attention to something as pressing, if not equally obvious, as election outcomes.

An ancient hymn from India, the ‘Prithvi Suktam’, celebrates our relationship with Mother Earth:

May Earth, may Prithivī, be always protected with ceaseless care by
Gods who never slumber,
May she pour out for us delicious nectar, may she bedew us
With a flood of splendour.
(XII.1, Hymns of the Atharva Veda, Translated by Ralph TH Griffith, [1895])

When we approach the environment from a deeper Indic perspective, the fundamental question that arises is “What does consciousness have to do with the environmental crisis?” Why do I frame our overwhelming ecological challenge in terms of consciousness? Because it is our relationship to our environment which is at the root of the climate calamity. It is this relationship that needs to be rectified.

Unfortunately, neither the Stockholm Conference nor UNEP pays enough attention to this inner dimension. They look mostly outward, to effects rather than inner causes of human actions during the Anthropocene.

That is why, in plain words, the answer to the question “What does consciousness have to do with our ecological crisis?” is “Everything!” At first glance, the present problem and impending catastrophe might appear as an external issue, a massive, tangible problem involving atmospheric temperatures, melting ice caps, and carbon emissions.

Meanwhile, consciousness can be perceived as internal, individual, even abstract or hard to define. Consciousness— our awareness, thoughts, feelings—and so on, is often limited or reduced to the neural and chemical activities of our brains. However, consciousness, in the broadest sense, permeates all parts of our body, down to the cellular level. Externally, it connects us with everything around us, right to the distant stars, whose light takes millions of years to reach us.

No wonder, a deeper examination reveals that at the heart of the environmental crisis is human consciousness. Our collective consciousness, or lack of it, has not only precipitated this crisis but also holds the power to mitigate it. A shift in human consciousness is imperative to addressing the environmental crisis effectively.

The ecological crisis, as we know, is the tangible manifestation of human activities, driven by industrial progress, consumption patterns, and an overall disconnection from nature. Our collective consciousness, conditioned by consumeristic values, economic systems, and cultural norms, has prioritised short-term gains and personal comfort over environmental sustainability and long-term planetary health.

This prevailing mindset has led to deforestation, fossil fuel dependency, pollution, and a host of other actions contributing to climate change. Therefore, at its core, the climate crisis is a reflection of the breakdown of our relationship with planet Earth, which is our primal Mother.

Instead of protecting and taking care of her, as we would our own mother, we behave in the most irresponsible and harmful manner towards Mother Earth. This shows a fundamental flaw in our consciousness, which in turn reflects in our values and our decision-making.

One way to define this mindset, which dominates all our actions both at the individual and collective levels as the human species, is ego-consciousness.

However, if consciousness is part of the problem, it’s also integral to the solution. A shift in our consciousness from a human-centric to an eco-centric perspective is vital. This involves recognising our interconnectedness with the natural world, understanding that the health of the planet directly affects our own survival, and acknowledging that every individual action contributes to the collective impact on the environment.

The concept of eco-consciousness, in contradistinction to ego-consciousness, suggests a form of awareness where human beings see themselves as part of the ecological system, responsible for preserving its balance. This shift in perspective can dramatically change how we live, work, and govern. It means re-evaluating our consumption habits, energy use, and the principles of our economies. Instead of growth at any cost, an eco-conscious mindset advocates for sustainable development, renewable energy sources, and equitable resource distribution.

The transformation from ego-consciousness to eco-consciousness isn’t just philosophical but deeply practical. It can be seen in the global movements advocating for climate action, the rise of green technologies, and policies aiming at carbon neutrality. However, this shift needs to be accelerated and broadened.

Education plays a pivotal role in this transformation. By embedding eco-conscious values in education, we can cultivate a generation that inherently values sustainability, understands the impact of their choices, and is equipped to address environmental challenges innovatively.

The role of individual action, influenced by personal consciousness, cannot be understated. Every decision to reduce, reuse, recycle, and respect nature contributes to a larger wave of change. However, focusing solely on individual choices might misplace the responsibility from larger systemic issues to personal habits. Therefore, while cultivating an individual eco-consciousness is crucial, it’s equally important to demand and support systemic changes that align with eco-centric values.

Moreover, consciousness extends beyond personal and collective human experiences to include empathy towards all life forms. Recognising the intrinsic value of biodiversity, beyond its utility to humans, fosters a deep respect for nature. This broader consciousness can motivate efforts to preserve habitats, protect endangered species, and restore ecosystems.

In the face of the climate crisis, another aspect of consciousness is resilience and hope. The enormity of the problem, alongside the slow pace of global action, can lead to feelings of despair and apathy. However, cultivating a consciousness that focuses on solutions, adaptability, and innovative responses can keep despair at bay. It encourages engagement, action, and the belief that change is possible.

But addressing the climate crisis through such a lens does not mean disregarding scientific and economic considerations. On the contrary, it means integrating these elements within a framework that also considers the moral, ethical, existential, and spiritual dimensions of the crisis. It involves listening to indigenous wisdom, respecting the limits of nature, and adopting technologies that harmonise with the environment rather than exploit it.

I would like to end this meditation with a prayer, invoking the concluding lines of the ‘Prithvi Suktam’ from which I quoted earlier:

O Earth, my Mother, set thou me happily in a place secure.
Of one accord with Heaven,
O Sage, set me in glory and in wealth.
(ibid)

Coming back to election results, all sides should graciously accept the verdict of the people. Both the winning party and the opposition must cooperate in the best traditions and interests of parliamentary democracy. Not only for the sake of the nation but, as co-sharers of the Mother Earth’s bounty, for global and planetary welfare.

That would be the best way to acknowledge and celebrate World Environment Day in consonance with the teachings of Sanatana Dharma and the wisdom traditions of the world.

Atharva VedaMother EarthNaturerecyclerespectreusespiritualism