Ameet Kumar Bali
In the name of development, humanity is rushing blindly into disaster. Tragedies like the Kedarnath flash floods of 2013 and the recent catastrophe in Uttarakhand (2025) are not mere natural events, they are man-made warnings. We have turned our backs on ecological balance, replacing sacred forests with concrete, rivers with dams, and entire hillsides with highways and hydropower projects. This is not progress; it is plunder. As Dr. Vandana Shiva, a globally respected environmental thinker, points out:
“What we call development is actually a process of displacement, dispossession, and destruction of life itself.”
But this destruction isn’t limited to nature. There is a silent and dangerous race happening across the globe-the race for nuclear power. With over 13,000 nuclear weapons stockpiled today, the world is more vulnerable than ever before. Superpowers are rearming, not disarming. Treaties are being ignored, and the risk of a global catastrophe looms large.
Albert Einstein had warned us decades ago:
“I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.”
Yet, while the planet stands at the edge of ecological and nuclear collapse, global dialogue has shifted-from sustainability to polarisation, from cooperation to conflict. Debates today are dominated by religious divides, caste politics, race wars, and regional hatred. The real issues-climate crisis, nuclear disarmament, forced migration, and human rights-are barely mentioned.
Where is the United Nations?
This brings us to a painful truth: The role of the United Nations, once the moral compass of global governance, is now visibly diminished. No strong action is being taken to enforce climate agreements. There is silence on the displacement of indigenous people due to mega-projects and wars.
Nuclear disarmament, once a core UN objective, is now missing from the agenda. Human rights violations in war-torn or environmentally devastated regions are ignored or politicised. Noam Chomsky, one of the most influential intellectuals of our time, puts it bluntly: “We’re approaching the most dangerous point in human history… the prospect of the destruction of organized human life on Earth.”
Meanwhile, the Amazon burns, the glaciers melt, the seas rise, and the poor are displaced-with little more than symbolic concern from global institutions. At a time when bold and united leadership is needed, we are facing institutional silence and public apathy. As Greta Thunberg said at the UN: “Our house is on fire. I want you to panic. I want you to act.”
What Needs to Change?
- Global Unity for Survival
We must rebuild the authority and accountability of the United Nations and its affiliated bodies. Environmental protection, nuclear disarmament, and human rights must return to the core of global dialogue-not just as side topics but as central goals. - Responsible Leadership
National leaders must rise above vote-bank politics and focus on long-term planetary survival. Development should be balanced with nature, not built on its grave. Mahatma Gandhi reminded us:
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed.” - Human Rights & Displacement Focus
Every development project and conflict zone must be seen through a human rights lens. The voices of the displaced-tribals, refugees, farmers-must be amplified. International bodies must monitor and act on environmental injustice. - Citizen Awakening
The power lies with people. Citizens must raise their voice, demand change, and hold governments and corporations accountable. We must transform from passive consumers to active guardians of the planet. - Education for Ecological Ethics
Reform our education systems to build eco-consciousness, peace values, and responsible citizenship. Teach children not just how to make money, but how to respect life. - Media Reorientation
Media houses must act responsibly-prioritizing climate, peace, and displacement coverage over divisive, sensationalist content. The press should become a force for planetary change, not a tool for distraction.
Conclusion:
In our chase for material progress, we are creating a future full of floods, fires, fallout, and fear. We need to act now-not as Indians, Americans, Chinese, or Europeans-but as humans. Not for votes or profits, but for generations to come.
If the United Nations remains silent, and if citizens remain passive, then the world will not end with a bang, but with a long, slow collapse of ecosystems, communities, and hope.
Let us rise before the rivers rise.
Let us disarm before nature strikes back.
Let us rebuild-not just economies, but our humanity.
Because if we don’t, the question won’t be who wins-but who survives.
