With privilege comes responsibility. Life today is much easier than it used to be. We are a privileged generation to have all the modern amenities that have made our lives more convenient. On the down side, however, we have gotten used to living comfortable lives so much so that we have forgotten where we came from. Every now and then, we need to be reminded of who we are and the consequences of what we are doing or how we are living our lives, as individuals and as collectives. We have all heard about pollution and its consequences. Humans are responsible for almost all of the pollution.
There are many types of pollution all of which contaminates the natural environment and in the process affects all life forms, including humans. We need progress and development but at what cost? Our natural environment is depleting faster than it is regenerating. Where do we draw the line? Can we live without progress and development in order to conserve what little is left of our natural environment? Is there a middle path where we can progress and develop but without causing any more damage to the already depleted natural environment? This is one of the biggest problems that mankind has ever faced because the future of humanity and all life on earth is at stake here. As such, some people have suggested sustainable practices but how effective are they? Are we doing enough sustainable practices anyway? What exactly or how much of it are we supposed to do? These are questions that do not have straightforward answers. Meanwhile, the problems keep compounding.
We have heard a lot about pollution, the types of pollution, the causes and the effects. Now, these days, there is also a kind of pollution called light pollution. Light pollution is the presence of unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting. In a descriptive sense, the term light pollution refers to the effects of any poorly implemented lighting, during the day or night. Light pollution, or artificial light at night, is defined as the excessive or poor use of artificial outdoor light, and it disrupts the natural patterns of wildlife, contributes to the increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, disrupts human sleep, and obscures the stars in the night sky.
“Dim the Lights for Birds at Night!” is the official slogan of the 2022 edition of the UN-backed World Migratory Bird Day campaign. This year, the campaign’s focus is on the impacts of light pollution on migratory birds.
It is heartening to know that the celebration of International Wildlife Week and World Migratory Bird Day 2022, organized by Lemsachenlok Society, Longleng is to be held in Fazl Ali College on October 13 under the global theme. It is events like these that inform, inspire and empower people; events that become watershed moments.