We may Brave Human Laws but cannot Resist Natural Laws | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

Environment

‘Your deepest roots are in nature. No matter who you are, where you live, or what kind of life you lead, you remain irrevocably linked with the rest of creation’– Charles Cook This statement talks about the law of nature. It talks about absolute equality. It talks about the power given to humans to choose what kind of life to lead in this world. Our life could be highly ethical and moral or otherwise. We could conserve, explore or preserve resources and relationships with other life forms like minerals, plants, animals, and biodiversity in general, or exploit them.
There is ongoing research to generate a higher and better species of all of god’s creations! This is happening not only in agriculture by genetically modified organisms to be pest resistant, but on human beings too by cloning! We may choose through science and technology to create energies like nuclear or solar on the one hand and release hazardous carbon emissions on the other hand. Inventions, industrialisation, and consumerism have led to tonnes of insoluble plastic garbage and e-waste. Heaps and mounds and garbage landfills are making the natural law of the right to live and enjoy life itself a challenge. Whatever we choose to do or choose not to do, we will have to pay for its consequences, and there is no escape from it. This is the supreme truth.
It is also true we are in such pathetic condition because we did not follow the human laws earnestly. All human laws are to make the natural laws work! The endeavour was mostly not to be caught as a defaulter. However, rules are broken, limits are exceeded, and certifications of everything being in order are received by greasing a few palms.
All human laws are made to restrict choice, the absolute freedom to all. The endeavour is to channelize and control actions so that there is workability and sustainability on the planet. The equation of people to their own kind and all other forms of life, living and non-living, is maintained. Human laws are always in response to the situation, to make corrections, amendments, and prevention of undesirable action and betterment of humanity as a whole. Normally all human laws are subsidiary to the natural law so that each individual is free to enjoy life the way he desires. Human laws could be civil and criminal laws. Before these laws are framed, citizens in democratic India can raise their voice - to advocate for it or against it (Rousseau refers to this as the consent of the governed).
Greta Thunberg, a Swedish teen climate activist, has become a face for climate change. In her heart-rending speeches, she questions and sensitizes the politicians and implores the world at large to promote ecological, climatic, and social sustainability and mental health. Thanks to social media, her message is reaching out to the world at large almost instantly.

Ecological Sustainability

It includes everything connected with earth’s ecosystems – air, land, water, land use and soil erosion, biodiversity of species and their habitats and ecosystems like pollination and photosynthesis, etc. As humans are the highest known form of life in the ecosystem, we need first to understand the gravity of the situation. Then, we take responsibility to arrest further deterioration of natural resources.
Natural laws of ecology did not spare the mammoth dinosaurs; neither did it spare the timid, harmless sparrow. So we humans, with all our wit, stand no chance then when the law of nature begins its work to restore balance. It is, therefore, the need of the hour to use our wit and consciousness to spread awareness and take individual responsibility for following the human laws that will slow down destruction and slowly heal the planet. These laws are sustainable development goals.

Climatic Sustainability

In the form of natural calamities, the law of nature, like the dreadful floods of Chennai and then Kerala, spared none. There have been many talks that the Chennai floods occurred due to indiscriminate construction and could have been avoided if many human laws were not bent or evaded. The indiscriminate clearing of the forests, pasture lands, and wetlands in the drive to set up factories, shopping malls, and residential complexes are creating concrete jungles in place of the green ones of nature! Deforestation is just choking off the earth’s lungs.
The wild animals and migratory birds are paying the price of our actions. The earth is becoming hotter, and the glaciers are melting, so the life of the coastal areas is threatened. Unpredictable weather phenomena are on the rise all over the world. Many science fiction showing havoc now appear as dreadful probabilities.
World leaders have come together at many summits. For example, the Montreal Protocol, UNFCCC, and the Paris summit resolved to decrease pollution levels. However, any significant change can happen only when these are followed through at the grassroots level by every Zila, Block, Samiti, Village, family, and individual to prevent the world from tipping its balance.

Social Sustainability

No battle can be won if the army is divided from within. The natural law professes: Man is born equal. But mankind is horribly divided based on race, colour, and creed. When the aristocracy made laws to suit themselves, without regard to the masses, Rousseau in the Social Contract (1762) argued that laws are binding only when people's general will supports them.
There are man-made follies on the one hand, and there are man-made laws against these follies for constructive restoration. Still, we refuse to follow the laws intrinsically, and the deterioration continues. If there is a malfunction in a part of our body, the whole body suffers and has to pay the price. Similarly, the Universal law is very clear that it is one for all and all for one. Therefore, when calamity strikes, well-meaning citizens, along with the people responsible for the deplorable situation, will be meted out the same horror.

Mental Health

It refers to the cognitive, behavioural, and emotional well-being of people. Thus it is about how we think, feel and behave. It is the ability to enjoy life. It relates to how one manages stress, enjoys life, and handles relationships. It is not wrong to conclude if we are restless, workaholics, and almost vindictive, and always consumed with thoughts of self and not for all in totality, then mental health cannot be said to be very sound. Thinking of the self, with all our wit, humans stand no chance then when the natural law begins its work to restore balance. The need of the hour is to use our wit and consciousness to spread awareness and take individual responsibility for following the human laws that will slow down deterioration.
There is another aspect to natural laws. Natural laws are defined by morality, by right or wrong, vice, and virtue. It connects nature and morality. It states that the purpose of all human beings is to live a happy life. Human laws profess to give equality to all as fundamental rights. It contains an absolute individual choice of free, therefore, it. In our gravest interest, we follow human laws and do not arouse the wrath of nature. Only then, we the People of this planet will have peace, prosperity, and the planet forever and ever after.