When we hear the word Universe, what comes to mind? Galaxies, solar systems, stars, dust clouds, planets — an endless expanse of mystery and magnificence. Yet, in all of this vastness, let’s narrow our focus to just one planet — our liveable, nurturing, and miraculous home: Earth.
Earth, which makes up just a fraction of the universe — less than 1% — has been our cradle of life. But have we truly understood or appreciated what it has given us? Have we taken the time to reflect on how we treat the very ground we stand on?
From the beginning, Earth has provided us with everything we need to live: clean air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, and shelter to survive. Yet, in the hustle of our daily routines, we’ve barely paused to acknowledge these gifts.
Ask yourself — how many times have you genuinely thought about the well-being of our planet?
The honest answer for most of us is — rarely.
We’ve been too caught up in our lives: careers, marriages, children, money, fame, and the constant pressure to “be someone” in society. Our education system never told us to care for the Earth; instead, it told us to compete, to succeed, to rise above others.
Is it your fault that there's global warming, deforestation, and rising pollution? Perhaps not directly. After all, you were simply running the race that your family, school, and society prepared you for. If you didn’t, someone else would, and you’d be left behind.
And in a twisted sense — you’re right.
But now, we’ve come full circle. We're finally being forced to stop and reflect. Because this race, this endless pursuit of success, means nothing if there's no Earth left to live on.
In our quest for progress — building infrastructure, exploring distant planets, and investing billions in technology — we forgot one crucial detail: we were trampling over the very planet that made all of this possible.
While we looked to the stars, we neglected the soil beneath our feet.
And now, Earth is no longer requesting — it's demanding our attention. We’ve reached a point where the consequences of our actions are no longer distant threats. They are happening now — in the form of wildfires, floods, rising temperatures, melting ice caps, and vanishing species.
We’re dreaming of colonising Mars — a planet with a hostile atmosphere, unbreathable air, freezing temperatures, and zero natural ecosystems. Despite these realities, massive investments are being poured into making Mars liveable someday. Even as experts wave green flags, deep down we know: true colonisation is not possible, at least not in our lifetimes.
So the question is: Why are we spending billions trying to escape a planet that still supports life, instead of using those same resources to restore and heal the one planet that already does?
Earth is damaged, not dead. And it still holds the power to recover — if we give it the care, funding, and innovation that we’re currently redirecting toward distant worlds.
Many of us believe we’ve done our part. “I save water. I plant trees. I don’t litter.” And that’s admirable. But the truth is — we never gave Earth the full attention and urgency it required.
Now, the window is closing.
Climate change is not a debate — it’s a reality. Forests are vanishing. Wildlife is disappearing. Natural ecosystems are collapsing. And despite all of this, we’re still asking: Why is this happening?
Some of us may even ask, Why would God make us suffer? But perhaps, this is not about divine punishment. Perhaps it’s a mirror, showing us the cost of our choices.
We’re not here to say you were wrong for pursuing your dreams. This is not about blame. This is about realisation.
We’ve been given a rare break from the chaos of daily life. A chance to pause, to think, and to reassess. Not just for ourselves, but for our families, our neighbour's, and for the future generations who will inherit this Earth.
We need to step out of our selfish zones. Because survival now demands selflessness.
Our planet is asking us a million questions — and it’s time we start answering them. If we continue to take Earth for granted, it may begin to do the same with us. And once it does, there will be no turning back.
We must stop spending blindly on conquest and construction, and start investing in restoration — of our environment, our values, and our shared future.
It’s no longer enough to care quietly. We need action — individual, collective, and global.
This isn’t just a rhetorical question. It’s a call to every human being.
Do you care enough to change?
Do you care enough to slow down? Do you care enough to give back to the planet that has given you everything?
The answers lie not in words, but in what we choose.
Thank you for reading
- Vinay Ruikar (vindyaa)
