Abstract
The biosphere's survival is dependent on the satisfaction of the living circumstances of species on the planet. Any damage to the ecosystem causes a catastrophe for all living things. Global warming is on the rise as a result of regular people's absence of foresight, and contamination in the globe's waters, wind, and atmosphere has grown widespread. As a result, initiatives are being undertaken to safeguard the ecosystem by raising consciousness of ecological deterioration through techniques like laws, advertising, and conferences. But it has been observed that these are not that effective. This chapter attempts to highlight the role and significance of faith, cultural, and moral precepts that may be more helpful and effective in policymaking as they shape the human behaviour much more smoothly than any law. Therefore, a connection has been highlighted between Bhagvad Gita and global warming in terms of understanding one's own self and nature, people's personalities, ethics, and duties toward environment.
TopBackground
Global warming is a continuous heating of the Earth's climatic system due to human activity, especially the burning of hydrocarbons, that raises levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere of Earth. The phrases are sometimes treated indiscriminately, while the latter alludes to both man-made and natural heating, as well as the impact on the world. It is typically defined as the average rise in the Earth's global heat (UNICEF, 2021).
The Global Council on Ecology and Development emphasized that human's cultural and transcendent benevolence might enhance human's lucrative objectives and biological implications in order to harmonise human concerns with environmental principles (Seymour, 2016). Till late, nonetheless, global organisations, local authorities, policymakers, and perhaps even conservationists neglected the significance of spiritual and cultural ancestries in ecological conservation and unceasing growth. Individuals worry about that bringing faith into the ecological cause may undermine impartiality, scientific discovery, competence and democratic principles. None of the other, nevertheless, should be compromised in order to integrate the religious component into ecological conservation. Unless shown in the pathway of ecological policy formation, management, training, and legislation, that attribute may promote the creation of a deliberately moral and noble community that favours preservation and reverence for Divine's formation whereas demoting individual freedom, consumerism, and our present willingness to monopolise nature to a backup role. As a result, the urge is for faith to take a prominent part in preservation and ecological stewardship. This chapter attempts to draw the attention on the role and significance of faith component in understanding and protecting the environment from global warming. This is because when faith gets attached to one’s activities and conduct then humans show more respect toward that person, environment or thing. Furthermore, component of cultural and moral precepts may be added in policy-making as it guides the human behaviour much smoothly as compared to any law. Therefore, from ancient Indian perspective, global warming can be understood in terms of Knowledge (Gyan-Vigyan)-understanding self and nature, Personality (Three Gunas), Environmental Ethics, Ecological Consciousness and duties of human beings (Karmayoga).
Understanding Environment From Vedic Perspective
In order to reduce global warming, one needs to understand the environment explained in Indian scriptures. Sanatan Dharma and Buddhism, especially its veneration for mountains, holy rivers, forests, and animals, have long had a deep relationship with environment. Classical Hindu writings, such as the Upanishads, Srimadbhagavat, Puranas, Vedas, and Gita, are highly opulent in describing ecological and preservation issues (Prasad, 2015). The endmost objective of humanity, as per Vedas, is perfect development such that man resembles the god inside him. It broadens the purview of understanding the environment from Vedic standpoint.
The sacredness of thriving is firmly embedded in Sanatan Dharma. Lord has total authority across all the things; hence, people possess no control regarding their own or some other animals' existence. It is brilliantly articulated in the Yajurveda:
The loving sage beholds that Being, hidden in mystery, wherein the universe comes to have one home; Therein unites and therefrom emanates the whole; The Omnipresent One pervades souls and matter like warp and weft in created beings (Yajurveda, 2.8, 1982)
Since Divine's handiwork is sacrosanct, no damage to certain other organisms could be perpetrated without justifiable cause. Hence, both living and non - living life deserve equivalent worth and so the equal chance to live (Atharvaveda). These Sanatan Dharma texts witness to the notion that the inception, upkeep, and destruction of the environment are wholly contingent on the Divine Will. Sri Krishna speaks to Arjuna in Gita: Of all that is material and all that is spiritual in this world, know for certain that I am both its origin and dissolution (Gita, 7.6, 1974)
Key Terms in this Chapter
Knowledge: A process of discovering and understanding the relationship among self, god, and the environment and their interdependence.
Environment: Refers to both biotic and abiotic environment and regulates the life of organisms including human beings.
Ecological Consciousness: Reflection of the psyche of a wide range of people's relationship with nature, which mediates their behaviour in the “natural world” and expresses the existential stance of the subject of consciousness in connection to it.
Humans: A living being whose activities impact the natural environment.
Environmental Ethics: Moral code of conduct pertaining to environment.
Global Warming: Global warming is a continuous heating of the Earth's climatic system due to human activity, especially the burning of hydrocarbons.
Environmental Duties: Responsibilities and obligations of human beings in relation to environment.
Bhagvad Gita: Ancient Indian text which means “Song of the Lord” and encompasses several crucial Indian intellectual and spiritual traditions are discussed.
Gunas: Types of personality associated with specific characteristics.