FT Chronicle

Change is the powerful word that seems to be dispersing around these days, from Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror to the people’s cry for democracy. I hear the saying as it echoes through the field, “the only permanent thing in this world is change”. And now the only subversive thing in this world is climate change.

Earth is truly rare! Complex life is uncommon in the universe, unlike as what you can read or watch in sci-fi movies. Scientists thrive to find a substitute for our planet. Earth, indeed, is a unique planet, a living planet

To evade extremes of temperature, the earth must orbit at the right distance from the sun. In other solar systems, planets have been detected that orbit sun like stars and are considered being in the habitable zone, capable of sustaining liquid water.

If the earth were slightly smaller and lighter than it is, the force of gravity would be weaker and much of the earth’s precious atmosphere would have escaped into space. But what if the earth were slightly bigger and heavier than it is? Then the earth’s gravitation would be stronger, and light gases, such as hydrogen and helium, would take longer to escape from the atmosphere.

Another ideal feature is the shape of earth’s orbit. If the orbit were more elliptic, we would suffer unbearable extremes of temperature. Instead, the earth has a nearly circular orbit. And also, Earth’s tilt at 23.5 degrees made annual cycles of seasons, right temperature and climate zones are possible. The length of days and nights are exact, preventing the side of the Earth facing the Sun from burning and the other side from freezing.

Earth also has its magnetic field which creates an invisible barrier which protects us against direct contact of extraterrestrial radiation and elements from the Sun. We also have the atmosphere which serves as a protective shield from UV radiation.

Earth has all its ability to sustain life and cannot be replaced by planets named after a letter in the alphabet.

The Earth has a fever, is there any cure?

Like a patient in a hospital, earth’s vital signs are being closely monitored by climate scientists. Satellites track the shrinking of glaciers, weather stations maintain rainfall readings, buoys measure deep ocean temperatures, aircraft monitor levels of atmospheric gases. This vast array of climate data is fed into supercomputers. Simulations of the climate system are run so as to predict what will happen decades, even centuries, from now.

And now, it is in your hands the fate of our planet lies. It is in our hands being held together to make a change the Earth needs. For the record, I’ve started joining some of the proEarth campaigns such as reducing my carbon footprints by cutting my transportation usage to one and also minimizing my electric consumption. I’ve also started recycling paper and segregating garbage.

Just like what Michael Jackson has said, “If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change.”

Mother Earth has served millions of years for us…

Now, its our turn to serve her right…