Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
and, to some extent, accentuated these conflicts. The irrigation economy of South Asia
has its own complexities (Shah et al. 2003). Farmers committing suicide in India have
been on the rise, and estimated at 150,000 between 1997 and 2005, because of the dis-
parity between income and expenditure (Agroamoorthy et al. 2009). This complex issue
may be more effectively addressed through a synergism between modern science and
religions. Albert Einstein opined that “science without religion is lame; religion without
science is blind.” The strategy is to understand the reasons of controversies and conflicts
and address them objectively through use of a science-religion-culture mix. Historical
roots of ecological crisis must be identified (White 1974).
8.11 CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL APPROACH TO
CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER SCARCITY
Soil and water resources, being finite and easily degraded/polluted, must be man-
aged in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner. Presently, ~0.5 billion people face
water shortage in 29 countries, 33% of the world population is living under moder-
ate to severe water stress, 1.2 billion people lack access to adequate supply of safe
water, 2.5 billion do not have access to proper sanitation, 7 million die annually from
waterborne diseases, and half of the world's rivers and lakes are seriously polluted
(Singh and Asce 2008). By 2025, about 5.5 billion people will experience some water
stress of which >1 billion will be prone to severe and socially disruptive stress. How
can we solve this crisis?
Being the basis of all life through its ability to cleanse and wash away impuri-
ties and pollutants, water occupies a central place in the practices and beliefs of
most religions (Table 8.3). Major religions have addressed the sustainable use of
water and other resources (United Nations [UN] 1975; Dwivedi 1989; Abrams 2000;
Faruqui 2003; UN/
WWWAP
2003; Sutcliffe et al. 2011). The mysticism, originat-
ing from its power to destroy as well as create, is central to the beliefs of creation
of life in Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, and other religions. Because of its power
to cleanse and purify, water is an object of worship in most religions. Believers of
Zoroastrianism think that it was the curse of the evil spirit (Angra Mainyu) that
made the water salty. Thus, pollution of water is considered evil. The powers of the
gods and their incarnation are outlined in Hinduism and Judaism scriptures. The
waters of River Yamuna receded after touching the feet of baby Krishna carried
across the river by his father who was being chased by the army of Kansa. Similarly,
the water of the Red Sea was parted by Moses so that Israelites being chased by the
Egyptian army could escape (Table 8.3). Thus, daily bathing of the Buddha, similar
to baptizing in Christianity, is symbolic of spiritual rebirth. As a symbol of purifica-
tion, water is used in all Hindu religious ceremonies.
The need to combine spiritual/cultural beliefs with scientific principles is greater
now than ever, to effectively address the problems of water scarcity, pollution, and
exploitation being exacerbated by climate change and demands of the Anthropecene.
Yet, the human consumption of water is increasing rapidly because of the burgeon-
ing demands (UN/
WWWAP
2003). It is the time to reconsider humanity's roots and
linkages with nature.
