NATIONAL PUBLIC

SCHOOL HOSUR
ROAD

Ailing planet
MOUNTAIN
POLLUTION
The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role” by Nani Palkhivala is a powerful article that
highlights the rapidly deteriorating health of our planet and the urgent need for
environmental protection. The author explains that the Green Movement, which began
around 1972, brought a revolutionary change in the way people look at the Earth and its
resources. Earlier, humans treated nature as an endless storehouse to be exploited, but the
Green Movement taught mankind to see the planet as a living system that must be
respected and conserved.
Palkhivala mentions that the “earth’s vital signs reveal a patient in declining health,”
comparing the planet to a sick patient whose basic life-support systems are failing. In
various United Nations reports, it has been stated that in many countries the environment
has become “critical”, meaning that forests, soil, water, air and living species are under
severe stress. This alarming situation raises a serious question for humanity: are we going to
leave our children “a scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and
ailing environment,” or a healthy world where life can flourish?
One of the main ideas in the chapter is the change from a mechanistic view of the world to
an ecological and holistic view. In the mechanistic view, nature was considered something
separate from humans, an object to be mastered and used for economic growth. In the
ecological view, Earth is seen as a living organism where all parts—air, water, soil, plants,
animals and humans—are interconnected. If one part is damaged, the entire system suffers.
The author stresses that human beings are not the owners but the trustees of this planet. A
trustee is someone who holds something in trust for someone else. In this case, we have
not inherited the Earth from our ancestors; rather, we have borrowed it from our children,
and therefore we have a moral duty to hand it over to them in a good condition. This idea of
trusteeship lies at the heart of the Green Movement and modern environmental thinking.

Sustainable Development: Growth with Responsibility

Palkhivala explains the concept of sustainable development, which means meeting the
needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs. For many years, governments and industries focused only on
increasing production, income and material comfort, without caring about the damage
caused to forests, rivers, oceans and wildlife. As a result, we now face polluted air,
contaminated water, soil erosion, global warming and extinction of species
SDG 15 is “Life on Land”. It focuses on protecting, restoring, and sustainably using land ecosystems, forests, and
biodiversity while combating desertification and land degradation.

Core Aim

 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems (forests,
wetlands, drylands, mountains).

 Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and biodiversity
loss.

Why SDG 15 Matters

 Forests cover about 30% of Earth’s land area, support millions of species, regulate climate, and provide clean
air and water.

 Around 3.6 billion hectares of drylands are affected by desertification, hitting poor communities the hardest.

 Thousands of plant and animal species are at risk of extinction, with global biodiversity declining rapidly.

Main Targets (Simplified)

 15.1–15.2: Ecosystems and forests

 Conserve and restore forests, wetlands, drylands, and other terrestrial ecosystems.

 End deforestation, restore degraded forests, and increase afforestation and reforestation.

 15.3: Land degradation & desertification

 By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, and strive for a land-degradation
neutral world (no net loss of healthy land).

 15.4: Mountain ecosystems

Conserve mountain ecosystems and their biodiversity to ensure they

keep providing water, food, and other benefits.
 15.5: Biodiversity & threatened species
 Take urgent action to reduce habitat loss and prevent extinction of
threatened species.
 15.6–15.8: Genetic resources & invasive species
 Ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources
(e.g., medicinal plants).
 Prevent and control invasive alien species that damage ecosystems.
 15.7 & 15.c: Poaching and illegal wildlife trade

 End poaching and trafficking of protected animals and plants, and
strengthen laws and enforcement.
 15.9: Integrate biodiversity into planning
 Include ecosystem and biodiversity values in national and local planning,
accounts, and policies.
 Key Challenges
 Ongoing deforestation, especially in tropical regions.
 Rapid species extinction and decline of key biodiversity areas.
 Illegal wildlife trade and weak enforcement of environmental laws.
 Land degradation from unsustainable agriculture, urban expansion, and
infrastructure.
Mountain pollution is the degradation of
high-altitude environments by waste,
chemicals, and emissions, made worse by
tourism, development, and climate change.
Key Causes

 Tourism & trekking: Littering of plastics,

cans, food waste, and camping gear along
trails, peaks, and pilgrimage routes; waste
collection is hard in remote, steep terrain.

 Unplanned development: Road building,

hotels, hill stations, and ski resorts lead to
deforestation, soil erosion, and landslides,
exposing bare slopes and increasing
sediment in rivers.

 Plastic & solid waste: Poor waste management means trash is dumped or openly burned, polluting soil,
streams, and air, and harming wildlife that ingests or gets entangled in waste.

 Air and chemical pollution: Vehicle exhaust, diesel generators, and long-range transport of industrial
pollutants from lowlands contaminate mountain air, snow, and lakes.

 Impacts on Mountain Ecosystems

 Fragile habitats: Thin soils and slow plant growth make mountains extremely sensitive; once damaged,
recovery is very slow.

 Water contamination: Pollutants and microplastics accumulate in mountain lakes, streams, and wetlands,
threatening drinking water for downstream populations.

 Biodiversity loss: Rare plants and animals (e.g., Himalayan species) face habitat loss, ingestion of plastic, and
disturbance from noise and crowding.

 Glacier and snow effects: Soot and waste darken snow and ice, absorbing more heat and accelerating melt,
which alters river flows and raises disaster risks like floods and landslides.
Role of Individuals, Education and the Green Ethic

While governments and global organisations have an important role, the chapter strongly emphasises
the responsibility of individuals. Each person’s daily choices—how much water is used, how electricity is wasted,
how much plastic is thrown away, whether trees are planted or cut—have a cumulative effect on the planet. If
millions of people adopt simple eco-friendly habits, the overall impact can be very meaningful.

The author also underlines the importance of environmental education. Schools and colleges must teach students
about ecological balance, conservation, pollution control and sustainable lifestyles. When children grow up
understanding that Earth is fragile and that every species has a right to live, they are more likely to become
responsible citizens and decision-makers.

The emergence of the Green Movement has created a kind of “green ethic” in human thinking. This ethic says that
respect for nature, limited and careful use of resources, protection of forests and animals, and concern for future
generations should guide our actions. The author sees this ethical change as a hopeful sign that the ailing planet can
still recover if humans act in time.

Themes, Message and Overall Significance

The chapter weaves together several important themes—environmental degradation, sustainable development,
population pressure, human responsibility and the power of awareness. It argues that Earth is not just a store of
resources, but a living system that has been badly wounded by human greed and carelessness. Forests are being cut
faster than they can grow, rivers and air are polluted, animals are pushed to extinction, and climate patterns are
changing.

However, the central message is not only one of fear but also of hope and responsibility. The author believes that
with the right awareness, laws, policies and individual efforts, the damage can be controlled and partly reversed. The
Green Movement is presented as proof that humans can change and can act together for a better future.

Ultimately, “The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role” teaches that our survival and prosperity depend on the
survival of the Earth’s ecosystems. If we protect the forests, soil, water and other species, we protect ourselves and
our children. If we fail, we will leave behind a sick, barren and hostile planet. Thus, the chapter calls upon every
reader—student, citizen, leader—to become part of the solution by adopting a sustainable, responsible and
compassionate attitude towards the only home we have: our planet Earth.
Solutions and Good Practices

 Eco-friendly tourism: Strict carry-back-your-waste rules,

limits on visitor numbers, and banning single-use plastics
in sensitive zones.

 Better waste management: Localised collection points,

segregation, recycling, and safe transport of waste to the
plains; avoiding open dumping and burning.

 Green infrastructure: Careful road and building planning,

slope stabilisation, and enforcing no-construction zones in
ecologically fragile areas.

 Ecosystem restoration: Reforestation, watershed

protection, and cleaning of streams and trekking routes
with community participation.

 Awareness & regulation: Educating tourists and locals,

and enforcing environmental laws to keep mountains
clean and resilient.

In short, mountain pollution is dangerous because these

ecosystems are fragile yet vital sources of water and biodiversity
for millions of people, so controlling waste, emissions, and
reckless construction in highlands is crucial.

 Mandatory pre-trek briefings can teach trekkers about waste rules, wildlife sensitivity, toilet practices and
how to minimise camp impact.

 Signage and local guides can reinforce messages in multiple languages, while fines or penalties can be
imposed for littering, illegal campfires or off-trail driving.

 School programmes and community meetings in mountain regions can build pride in local landscapes and
support for conservation and zero-waste initiatives


The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role

Author: Nani Palkhivala

I. Detailed Summary

1. The Shift in Perception

The chapter highlights a global shift from a mechanistic view to a holistic and ecological view of the world. Humans
are beginning to realize that the Earth is a living organism with its own metabolic needs and vital processes.
Currently, the Earth is like a "patient in declining health," and it is our duty to ensure its survival.

2. Sustainable Development

The concept of Sustainable Development was popularized in 1987. It emphasizes meeting the needs of the present
generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. We must act as trustees of the
planet rather than owners.

3. The Four Biological Systems

Mr. Lester R. Brown identified four principal biological systems that support the global economy:

 Fisheries: Provide protein; currently over-exploited.

 Forests: Provide fuel and raw materials; disappearing rapidly.

 Grasslands: Turning into barren wastelands due to overgrazing.

 Croplands: Deteriorating due to excessive use of chemicals and pressure to produce more.

4. The Problem of Overpopulation

The author identifies the population explosion as the greatest threat to human survival. Development is the best
"contraceptive," meaning that as income and education levels rise, birth rates naturally fall. However, if the
population continues to grow at the current rate, development may never be possible.

5. A New Era of Responsibility

There is a growing "Green Movement" worldwide. Industry leaders are now being encouraged to act as "Chief
Environmental Officers." The chapter concludes with the powerful idea that we have not inherited this Earth from
our ancestors; we have borrowed it from our children.

II. Note-Making

Title: The Ailing Planet & The Green Movement

1. A New World View

 1.1 Shift from mechanistic to holistic/ecological view.

 1.2 Earth recognized as a living organism.

 1.3 Growth of the Green Movement (started 1972).

2. Sustainable Development (S.D.)

 2.1 S.D. defined: meeting present needs w/o harming future.

 2.2 Change from "domination" to "partnership" with nature.

3. Depletion of Principal Bio. Systems

  3.1 Four systems: Fisheries, Forests, Grasslands, Croplands.

 3.2 Human impact:

o 3.2.1 Fisheries collapsing.

o 3.2.2 Forests disappearing (for firewood/industry).

o 3.2.3 Grasslands becoming deserts.

4. Population & Development

 4.1 Overpopulation: major obstacle to progress.

 4.2 Rise in income & education = Fall in fertility.

 4.3 Need for voluntary family planning.

5. The "Era of Responsibility"

 5.1 Role of Industry: Responsibility to protect env.

 5.2 Humans as trustees, not owners.

Key Abbreviations Used

 Env. – Environment

 Bio. – Biological

 S.D. – Sustainable Development

 w/o – Without