Modern Civilization and Environment
The term “civilization”, as agreed by many, refers to an advanced state of social development, culture and way of life of a nation in a given period of time. In other words it is the advanced state of life based on continued improvements made by societies in their legal codes, government, industry, science, religion and morality.


“the Environment” as Einstein explains, “is everything that is not me” it is, in fact, the very geo-physical atmosphere around the whole drama of existence, the whole natural system on which we depend-the air we breathe, the earth which feeds us, the rivers and seas which give us water, the atmosphere around our planet which makes life possible, and all the living beings which share it with us. In net shell, when we talk of environment, we talk of the soil, water, atmosphere, radiation, food, plants, animals, the weather conditions and many other objects which influence life on our planet.

Civilization and environment go side by side. Our study of ancient civilization like that of Egypt, Babylon, Tigris and eurphrates and sindh, establishes that face that environment, the geo-physical conditions, played a vital role in the flourishing of these great civilizations. Whenever, we make a mention of these civilizations, we make a mention of the waters of the river Nile, the Tigris, the Euphrates and the mighty sindh. We also talk of their fertile plains, springing corns, green pastures, of the deepening still of their forests, of blooming flowers and the sunshine, of the serenity of life among the nightingales, the thrush and the cuckoo.

These were the ancient civilizations and very notion of “pollution”- the nasty gift of the modern civilization- was quite alien to them. They are remembered as great civilizations for their healthful environments, for their azure skies and moonlit nights. The present day civilization is characterized by our advancement in the fields of science and technology no doubt they have brought a revolution in every walk of life. Whether it is health or education, industry or agriculture, communication or trade, fashion or entertainment the twin sisters of modern civilization-the science and technology are always there. Today sensitive machines scan patients and diagnose complicated diseases, computers assist us in every field of life, television, radio, internet, cassette player, CD and DVD players, V.C.R’s provide a large part of indoor entertainment. The wonderful means of transport have reduced distances and trade. The recent researches in molecular physics have truly filled man with pride. Our scientists no longer walk in humility- they can even send destruction and havoc to the stars and can even threaten life on earth.
Although modern civilization may boast of possessing the power and means to shape this world according to its desire but let us be true to ourselves. Have we preserved or destroyed the natural resources, in this process?

Certainly we have utilized these resources for our benefit but we have forgotten one very important factor and what is the environmental factor. We are laying the earth waste and are disrupting the environmental balance by turning forests and fields into deserts and by converting the green pastures into wilderness. We are putting the things into the environment which should not be there, making it more dangerous place to live. The physical environment is being polluted by excessive and uncontrolled growth of industrial production. Pollution is more visible in its various forms in the advanced industrial production. Pollution is more visible in its various forms in the advanced industrialized areas. Industrial waste and auto emission represent a major and perhaps lasting hazard to life. The toxic substances spread by wind; water and eminent migration over large area of the earth are infecting the food chain which passes from plants to animals and to man.

Atmospheric pollution is a result of emission of the carbon mono oxide, sulpher oxides, and hydrocarbons have become the subject of growing concern. It is estimated that currently more than 20 billion tons of carbon dioxide is being released in the atmosphere every year. The discharge of these air pollutants is infecting rivers, lakes and oceans. Thermal pollution is leading to weather irregularities. Apart from this country-side is being defiled by the twin factors of radiation and waste disposal associated with nuclear power.

However, concern for the environment is no longer confined to any one region of the world. With the wide-spread of technology, the evils of industrial system, with their emphasis on mass production and profiteering have become visible everywhere, the solid and liquid waste dumped in the rivers ad canals has already endangered marine, animal and human life.

It is feared, if the present rate of pollution continues, by year 2000, the world will be more polluted, less stable ecologically and more vulnerable to disruption than the world we are living in at present. If due attention is not paid to rectify the damages done, the situation is likely to worsen in the years ahead. So what shall man do? Do we have alternative? Shall we shift to some other planet?

In this regard, Bertrand Russell once remarked that man powers how so ever great may be are not infinite and to migrate to another planet is a wishful dream rather a fond conceit. So far no other planet has been discovered where conditions are condusive to life and where we can migrate to make a new beginning. We have only one earth to live in and that is all. The question the modern man should raise and answer is how to offset the ill effects of environmental imbalance. How the world, our bio-sphere which is one, be made more healthful. Will it be possible for us to bring back the salubrious air of green pastures, springing corn fields, deepening still of the forests and the sunshine of open skies past days.
Will man ever get inspiration from blooming flowers and melodious singing of the nightingale, the thrush and the cuckoo? Will the modern civilization produce another Michael Angelo, a Leonardo de Vinci or erect another Taj Mahal or build a Vatican city or portray another Mona Lisa.
The answer is for us to find. The sooner we find it, the better it would be for the human race.

Published in F.G Public Secondary School,Mahfooz Road, Rawalpindi Cantt,Pakistan,Magazine "Shama" in 1996.