How Sane Are We
- Anuradha Chaudhary
Literal Comprehension
The Essay "How Sane Are We?" by Anuradha Chaudhary is based on the environmental problem. Basically, she presents her ideas that human beings have been too much irresponsible and indifferent to the conservation of the environment and she predicts that it will make their life quite difficult. She believes that due to human indifference, rapid urbanization and industrialization, the environment is getting heavily polluted.
Mainly she believes that the gases produced from the industry, mishandling the chemicals and the excessive use of CFCs have greatly contributed to the destruction of the ozone layer which causes skin cancer, the greenhouse effect and other various epidemics. Similarly, people have been greatly suffering from other various natural calamities such as floods but still, people don't seem concerned about the direction of its preservation. Finally, she believes that if it continues, it will be impossible to continue living on it.
Anuradha Chaudhary is a professor of environmental biology. In this essay as a researcher of the environment, she talks about the degrading condition of nature and surroundings. She begins her essay with an idea of Kipling who writes if the condition of nature degrades in the same rapidity, we have to slay the heads of our generation in near future. Chaudhary sees that there is the possibility of such catastrophe in human life because she has read about the laws like Parkinson’s in which the leaders who are elected for making the laws of the state for the welfare of people are themselves engaged in power politics.
To make irrationality and irresponsibility of human beings naked, Chaudhary believes that the students shouldn’t believe in facts because they are published by the leaders to deceive the common people. At the same time, she also presents facts after facts which make her essay more appealing and convincing. Chaudhary stresses reshaping, rethinking the ways of politics. Here Chaudhary satirizes those leaders whose goal is to get the power rather than solving the real natural threats to human beings.
Chaudhary writes that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) cause a 20% greenhouse effect which is capable of completely destroying life on earth. Here, Anuradha highlights the fact that ozone depletion will take place completely if the use of CFCs continues. Chaudhary also mentions ozone layer protects our life by observing 99% ultra-violet rays. If it reaches the earth, she believes more than 240 million people get skin cancer, eight million might get eye cataracts which would result from millions of death. Chaudhary appreciates the decision of some developed countries like the United States, Canada, Sweden and Norway have ban the use of CFCs in aerosol sprays.
Chaudhary brings an example of science fiction to persuade us about the terrible effects of careless scientific inventions. Citing an illustration of the science fiction War with the Newts, Chaudhary shows us vividly that one day our own invention will be used to dig our own graveyard. Chaudhary sarcastically presents the evil effects of science and technology which has invented the different missiles, guns, arms and ammunition which have transfigured our way of fighting in comparison with the way our forefathers used to fight.
That is to say, we no longer fight with sticks and stones but we have highly modern weapons. But she wants to make us ponder on the fact: Is there any space for our satisfaction? Is there any place for the secured life of our upcoming generation? Of course not, it is because we have not comprehended and acted for the solution for the adverse effect they have given on nature. We are neglecting the nature we are living in and we are not able even to save nature like our ancestors.
We have not been worried about the forthcoming danger due to our activities although we have been warned about it. We are digging our own graves and our future generations. If we don't think about changing the present social, economical and political system of the world, we will have to face a great disaster in the future and we will ourselves be responsible for it. Politics is quite related to the ecological system. So, people should choose the right leader freely who can help to save the environment or atmosphere wisely.
Man has invented different kinds of harmful things for nature CFCs is also the man-made chemical that causes 20% of the greenhouse effect. They also greatly affect on ozone layer by reducing its layer which blocks 99% of the total ultraviolet radiation. If the sun's ultraviolet radiations reach the earth, it will badly disturb the natural ecosystem the agricultural product decrease people lose sight. They can get skin cancer and it also suppresses the human immune system. CFCs was invented in 1930 and used in making refrigerators trays, spraying cans and computer chips.
The government was warned by scientists in 1974 that these chemicals destroy ozone but the government did not take it seriously. But the use of CFCs was banned in 1978 and in 1985 the CFCs ozone links were established. All the nations of the world agreed to stop this production by 2006 A.D by the global phase-out. It shows the rationality of human beings, yet some people want to stop their production immediately.
Some sceptical people compare the production of CFCs to the war with the news people tried to save them from sharks and their number increase. So, they affected the lives of people very badly. It was due to their short-sightedness. However, all the conscious people of the world are worried about the future of the world because of mass misconduct. If the present system all over the world is not changed, we are sure to meet a great irreparable disaster in the future.
Interpretation
The text is a piece of a study of the environment centres on the environmental problem. Here, the text asserts the importance of the environment on human life and it must be preserved for the sake of continuity of human life. Presenting such ideas, the essayist is appealing to all to preserve the environment.
Critical Thinking
Chaudhary presents the latent irrationality within the so-called rationality of human beings and tries to persuade us to think seriously about our actions. She stresses repeatedly that there should not be any political play of power and personal power on the issues of the environment in which the life of the new generation itself is associated. Hence, Anuradha’s individual contribution to generating the public consciousness through this essay is highly appreciative and praiseworthy.
So far the essay presents the ideas on environmental problems and issues, it is very appreciative in the sense that it warns the people and makes them conscious of the conservation of the environment. But the essayist is only concerned with destruction and only destruction. She completely ignores the positive signs and steps carried out in this concern. As a result, she appears to be so partial and full of biases.
Assimilation
As I read this story, it has made me draw my attention towards the degraded environment of Kathmandu. Seeing its condition, it is true that we have really been too much indifferent and irresponsible. People here in Katmandu are suffering from various environmental problems, such as air pollution, water pollution, lack of open space and so on. As a result, life's getting too much difficult. Similarly, due to river pollution, aquatic life is also much affected. If it continues, there will be too difficult to sustain life in the days to come. So it has compelled me to take some action for its improvement.
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