This article was originally posted on BEBASnews.
The causes of climate change are mainly attributed to greenhouse gases. Basically, it is global warming and the disruption of the natural cycle and order in the ecosystem. Global warming originates emissions of heat from technology, machines and devices that consume energy as well as living beings. Human body generates a lot of heat, especially through the head. The human’s brain can be regarded as a biological supercomputer that consumes a large portion of energy in the body.
If we are not relaxed but agitated either physically or mentally, we would generate large amount of heat, feel hot and need air-condition. When people are restless, it is not good for the environment, because the body generates more heat. We may churn up many things, creating chaos and mess.
Therefore, a human body, especially the head, is a persistent heat source, producing non-negligible amount human heat.
In the information age, electromagnetic waves are everywhere, heating the environment through ICT devices like hand phone (hp), 5G transmitters, computers, and data storage servers. Although the emission of heat from a hp is small, it is switched on almost all the time, even during night when we forget to switch it off. Of course, the engines of transport vehicles that run on combustion of hydrocarbon fuels in cars, commercial vehicles release a lot of heat.
All these sources of heat are due to technology and need to be given attention and considered when addressing the issues of climate change, not only the greenhouse gaseous.
Adaptation to climate change needs the change in mindset and the way we do things. Besides having precautions and contingency plan for emergency readiness, education and increased awareness are important. People need to realize that Nature is part of us and not just an asset or resources that are being harnessed and manipulated.
Think of Nature as a living entity. Respect nature and be grateful for the air, water, sunlight that give life to vegetation, blue sky, cloud and rain, wind and breeze, forest with diversities, mountains that support and protect everything, rivers that support lives, oceans that moderates the temperature. All these are in order, in sync and fine-tuned, thanks to the celestial bodies, the moon and the sun. Nature will flourish if we perish, but not otherwise.
We must understand that we are not “the boss” in the ecosystem.
As a precaution against landslides, construction of high-rise buildings near slopes should be avoided and need to pass more stringent regulations. Authorities should not risk the lives of the people at the expense of economic gain.
In city planning, we need to increase the porosity or soiled surface to allow rain water to nourish the round and prevent flash floods. It is important not to use every piece of land for construction and cover the soil with concretes.
While we need to be self-sufficient, we must not reap or accumulate too much, more than what we need. Nature provides of everyone’s need and not a person’s greed.
Nowadays, it is convenient to gain access to open technology; anyone can learn (through the internet and DIY) to self-cultivate or grow foods and fruit within their land and space, self-harness energy and water.
The reality of mind affect matter is in line with science, particular quantum theory. Our thoughts affect nature, not only our actions. Therefore, spiritual reflection with kindness and love with regard to nature will lead to our mental and physical well-being.
We need to be gentle and delicate when dealing with Nature. It has been scientifically proven that plants and animals are more sensitive than we expect. They can sense many things about us and are easily affected by our activities and all the artificial things that we produce.
During the incidents of landslides, it has been noticed that wildlife like monkeys and bats behave differently. The aborigines (orang asli) knew how to identify the sign of landslides by listening to the pattern of sound on the ground. The traditional wisdom can complement modern techniques of using acoustic wave detector and high resolution remote-sensing satellite images from state-of-the-art ultracold atomic clocks.
By observing the flora and faunas, we can learn to identify the signs of forthcoming calamities. We need to be more observant, sensitive and perceiving of Nature and our surroundings. Other lifeforms have sensitivities more superior than us. Scientific discoveries, mainly in the field of quantum biology, have shown that migratory birds are able to detect the faint earth magnetic fields for navigation. Also, plants have certain visual perception to be able to “see” its surrounding.
Therefore, the flipping of the earth magnetic fields can create ecological havoc. The presence of magnetic fields from electrical systems and transmission lines also affect insects and can have consequences on pollination and our food production Science is advancing as we continue to learn.
We cannot brush off or degrade knowledge or findings that are not yet scientifically verified, and we still do not understand. As more truth is continuously being revealed through scientific exploration with more sensitive techniques we need to keep in mind: “The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence.”
Professor Raymond Ooi is an Academy of Sciences Malaysia Fellow and Professor at the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya. The views expressed are the author’s own and does not reflect the views of ASM and BEBASnews.