We must reconcile modern progress with sustainability by shifting to spiritually

The competitive world in which we are living believes in the theory of “Survival of the Fittest,” meaning that the strongest one is the one who survives. However, humanity in the 21st century has perceived this in a rather different manner because, in the actual sense, the strongest people are those who are most ethical and helpful, not those who gain strength by hurting others and exploiting nature. Today, educated people all over the world are well aware of the fact that the environment across the globe has deteriorated menacingly to its lowest ebb, and if this deterioration continues further for some more time at this rate, then the very existence of the human race will be in grave danger.

But today, when economic progress takes precedence even over politics, many governments are under great pressure to increase production substantially and to take major strides towards high economic evolution and growth by undertaking developmental activities on a large scale for a quick turnaround. Therefore, every government increasingly engages itself in fulfilling the goals of modernisation through rapid industrialisation and technological advancement to create more jobs and thriving economies. But the real dilemma is that if the governments accelerate developmental activities and industrialisation, then the quality of the environment will be badly affected. If they do not take visible steps towards economic growth, then they cannot compete with other nations and may face criticism from their people and ultimately have to step down. So, the challenge faced by all countries is: "How to improve or sustain the quality of the environment while ensuring a high level of economic activity and growth?"

The solution that is generally suggested is that there should be sustainable development. But is this practically feasible without affecting the social domain? There is bound to be more and more strain on the environment and the depleting of mineral and natural resources. It is, therefore, urgent and important that we realize at the earliest that it will simply be impossible for the earth to sustain us if the strain on it increases. So, for our survival in a clean and healthy environment, it is of the utmost necessity to reduce our consumption and wastage by changing our lifestyle.

With massive industrialization and economic growth, the gains of some sectors of the society inevitably create pressures on the social fabric of an erratic developing society creating a great imbalance in the consumption levels of a small number of rich and an ever-increasing downtrodden. Hence to overcome all these issues, the need of the hour is to have a simple lifestyle, which is not possible through the virtues of the capitalistic or the socialist system of economy but only through the spiritual orientation of our economic thought because survivors aren't always the strongest; sometimes they're the smartest, but more often simply the luckiest.

Hence it is better to change ourselves before time devastates us. Indeed, we can cultivate a society that prioritizes the health of the planet over short-term gains. Schools, colleges, and universities should integrate environmental education into their curriculums, teaching students not only about the challenges we face but also about the solutions that can lead us to a more sustainable future.In conclusion, the path to true survival does not lie in the outdated notion of 'survival of the fittest,' understood as domination and exploitation. Instead, it lies in our ability to live in harmony with nature and each other, fostering a world where progress is measured not by the wealth we accumulate but by the health of our environment and the well-being of all living beings. If we fail to recognize this and continue on our current path, we risk not only our future but the very survival of the planet itself.

(Writer is a spiritual educator and a columnist; views are personal)