Pan(dem)ic

Take panic out of a pandemic and all you're left with is dem.

And dem those people who think coronavirus floats in the air.

Moral of the story, panic is what makes a pandemic.

Right? Not really.

Full disclosure, this is not a post about health measures or statistics involving the very popular COVID-19 (I'm not sure why that's 19 though as it made 2020 pretty miserable).

In short, this is not an awareness bulletin or a save the toilet paper campaign (I'm indian so I really don't care) as I'm pretty sure there are plenty already available. Although, It sure is about drawing inspiration from it and also a wakeup call for everyone who has forgotten the epitome of negligence, as many nations treat it to be, Climate change. (that's sarcasm for those not blessed with intellectualism).

Remember? Climate change. Climate action. Global crisis. And a plethora of pretentious instagram stories of ill informed people suggesting "recycling plastics" to be "a step towards reducing climate change". Remember that little 15 year old who was a literal superstar until a couple of months ago due to her highly criticizing speech at the UN summit in New York last year? Perhaps, most of you might've forgetten her name too by now, I suppose. Remember Leonardo DiCaprio? who is so deliriously passionate about the environment, as icebergs literally made his career.

It is no surprise that humans are highly self-centered but after the outbreak of this pandemic, that has led us to cancel all things "crowded" and a complete lockdown of the world, we can safely conclude that most humans are highly amenable when it comes to their own welfare and that of their loved ones (I guess). Breaking down the obliviousness by constantly checking the news for updates and actually implementing measures to protect ourselves (which is pretty rare if you ask me even though it's just washing hands or self-isolation).

While panic has helped ameliorate the spread of coronavirus, it is not the most dangerous disease that the human civilization has seen. The egocentric human nature along with panic has helped prioritize the disease and it's prevention over everything else. This is proof that despite having an actual cure for it, the world is still capable of prevention till a certain extent or atleast prioritizing it.

The lesson that climate action activitists, environmentalists and researchers need to learn from this is to create panic. Awaken the panic monster within each human by instigating personal and impending harm due to climate change, not just to the rural or island populations but to everyone in general and the imminent danger due to it's negligence. Destroy the instant gratification monkey (all things useless). Allow people to take interest in prevention hence emerging to a point of rectification where people have correct information and follow accurate measures to reduce the effects of climate change on us. Additionally, government authorities and corporations might end up creating improved disaster management mechanisms and better healthcare facilities.

Eventually, people will start taking self interest in these matters. And when people start diving deep into selfishness, remember this quote by Tim Urban (the God I worship):

“Humans are smart enough that they know how insignificant they are. We are the only species on Earth that can conceive of either our own insignificance or our own death. Indeed, I am a microscopic particle here for only a brief moment who knows that I am a microscopic particle here for only a brief moment. A person is a speck of nothing who materializes for a split second, realizes where it stands in the scheme of time and space, understands that it will soon disappear back into nothingness for eternity, says “Wait, what the hell?”, and then disappears into nothingness for eternity.”

So don't think you're any special. Earth doesn't need protection from climate change, you do! When we say save the planet, we mean save the inhabitants of the planet, nature will replenish itself if the evil humans disappear somehow. Our planet has undergone change several thousand times since its inception. Don't make global crisis a trend to follow on social media. Anyhoo, I hope you're awake now. (you're obviously not, and you won't, even if I write a 100 blogs).

(PS. If you are a genuine inhabitant of this planet, or atleast if you think you are, stay tuned for more blogs that will pop your mind open.)