By Shobhna Aggarwal
In Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “Hymn to the Earth”, he says, “Earth! thou mother of numberless children, the nurse and the mother”, referring to the Earth as our ultimate caretaker and thereupon arising a feeling of reverence in almost every reader. Similarly, the adage “the Earth doesn’t belong to us, we belong to the Earth” engenders veneration in humans along with a sense of responsibility towards nature. Since time immemorial, most of the human population has been adversely affecting the environment through actions including but not limited to deforestation, hunting, domestication of animals, destroying habitats, and consequently disruption of the Earth’s ecosystem. Studies have revealed that early humans across the entire globe were changing and impacting their environments as far back as 10,000 years ago. This kind of hostility is a direct reflection of an anthropocentric mindset that holds the Earth as a utility subjected to reckless exploitation in order to fulfil human wants and needs.
The concept of us belonging to the Earth fundamentally brings back the wisdom and harmony of sundry indigenous cultural communities. These communities have been acting as caregivers of the environment for thousands of years by protecting lands, wildlife, and biodiversity hotspots. Despite covering 24% of land worldwide and containing 80% of the world’s biodiversity, indigenous people around the world have often lived in a healthy relationship with their environments, understanding that their lives inextricably depend on the well-being of the planet. This perspective ultimately leads to sustainable and judicial consumption of earthly resources. “The Earth doesn’t belong to us, we belong to the Earth” directly implies that humans are an integral part of the ecosystem and hence, promulgates the idea of our role as custodians rather than owners of this planet.
Embracing the aforementioned idea eventually results in a shift in perception which involves the acknowledgment of the finite nature of resources and the understanding that human actions have consequences. Today, many societies continue to prioritize economic growth and short-term gains at the expense of the environment. This approach perpetuates the idea that the Earth is a commodity to be exploited for profit, rather than a living entity to which we belong. The consequences are evident in the form of ecological crises, loss of biodiversity, and climate change.
To truly understand that we belong to the Earth, a reconnection with the planet is necessary in order to rediscover our place in the natural order. A crucial aspect of doing so is recognizing the Earth as a living and breathing entity which is home to countless species, all interconnected and interdependent. This change is especially required in today’s age which culminates in the atrocious treatment of nature. By recognizing a shared responsibility for the health of the planet, humans can work together to protect and restore it. International agreements and movements aimed at environmental conservation are steps in the right direction. Embracing a harmonious relationship with the planet can build a sustainable future that benefits all living beings. In this recognition, there stands hope and the path to a more balanced and equitable coexistence with the Earth.