There has been much talk
about how activities that destroy nature and affect public health have been actively
and illegally taking place in several states in the country, turning the once scenic panorama into a sorry sight. The public has been forced to face the consequences of the actions by the
irresponsible and the heartless. Some vent their anger and
frustration in social media and in coffee shops, while others write letters to complain
and suggest solutions. It is a frightening and flabbergasting fact that money
can be so powerful and poisonous that it makes one blind to the
consequences.
Despite constant efforts put in by parents, educators,
environmentalists and authorities in making their children, students and the community realise the importance of appreciating,
loving and preserving nature, it has been ineffective.
Thus, I feel that these groups of people should work hand in hand to produce
collective ideas and effective planning to stop the violence against nature and
defend everyone’s rights to live in a pollution-free environment.
Everyone should also reflect on the meaningful lyrics of
Earth Song by the late Michael
Jackson : “What have we
done to the world, Look what we’ve done” with regret and disappointment. Sadly,
some people fail to get the message as they believe that “ignorance is
bliss”. Such individuals may only be a small number but their selfish actions affect the entire nation. Illegal logging, bauxite mining, deforestation
and land conversion are activities that cause air, water and land
pollution, as well as natural disasters, including floods, flash floods and
landslides. When these activities are not controlled, global warming and haze
will take place, resulting in the spread of various illnesses.
At the end of the day, it is a person’s awareness,
initiatives and willingness to change that makes the world a better place to
live. Age, profession and social status do not determine one’s maturity,
sensitivity and rationality in their decisions and actions. It is a shame that
some highly educated people are those who cause environmental problems. They think that happiness and success is determined by how deep their pockets
are. When money conquers the human mind, the people end up becoming unwise,
greedy, obsessed and ridiculous.
In his poem The
Dead Crow, A Samad Said expressed his deep sorrow, concern and fear of the
uncertain and hazy future of the next generation. The environmental degradation
and severe pollution will eventually make humans, animals and plants suffer. Disharmony and discomfort of living are, unfortunately, the price people pay for the heinous and unjustified acts of nature-haters.
Some green-eyed monsters are just jealous with our lush
greenery and beautiful nature that they turn the water colour red and fill the
air with dust, dirt and smoke. Let us pray that the
rainbow will still appear tomorrow and give us hope.
Courtesy of New Straits Times
August 15, 2015
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