Earth, the Desolated Home

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Earth, the Desolated Home

It was the year 2068, humans had destroyed the Earth, and started colonising the red planet Mars. India established three colonies; Arivumathi’s family lived in one such colony. On her birthday, her grandfather travelled more than 1500 km to meet her. When he reached, he saw her sleeping in her capsule.

He said, “Wake up, Arivu.” Arivumathi was surprised, “Grandpa! When did you come? I was thinking that you won’t be coming for my birthday.” He sighed, “Don’t you know about the dust storm of Mars? Sometimes, it even lasts for a month. But this time it did not. So I am on time. It still took me three sols to reach here. Now come on, let’s not waste time. We will go to harvest the vegetation hab for vegetables.”

In the hab, he said, “Hmm, these carrots are not tasty anymore, like the ones I ate in my childhood.” She asked, “Why do you say so, Grandpa?” Grandfather explained, “The vegetables we grow here do not taste like the ones on the Earth. I really wish you had tasted the carrots from the Earth.” Arivu asked eagerly, “How did they grow the crops and vegetables on The Earth?”

Now, the grandfather was sad, like he is missing the Earth. He said, “The Earth had fertile soil, so the fruits and vegetables grown were healthy and tasty.” She asked, “But, I learnt that humans used chemical fertilizers, and polluted the soil. Here, we get unpolluted food and water. Is that correct?”

Grandfather laughed, “Already, I told you. These fruits, vegetables, and water are not the same as in the Earth. They are not real.” Arivu exclaimed, “Even the water?” He said, “Of course! In Mars, we get water from burning fuels. On the Earth, we used to get water from rain, it was natural, and it was free!” She said, “Grandpa, enough of your stories about the Earth. I know that life there was easy but, here survival is very difficult.” He replied, “Yes my dear, adapting to Mars is difficult. Today, we are fighting for things which we got easily.”

He continued, “In the Earth, you did not need a spacesuit or an oxygen cylinder. Also, the years are longer here.” Arivu said, “Yes, grandpa. In Mars, 687 days make a year.” He smiled, “Ha! Ha! Yes, you would be 18 years old on the Earth now.”

Grandpa thought to himself, “We destroyed our home. The home that nature had offered us.Now, we are trying to make this our home.”

Arivu looked at him and said, “Don’t worry grandpa, the scientists are trying to Terraform the Mars.” He said, “True, but nothing can be the Earth. The Earth is our home. Ah, let us leave this for now. Today we should celebrate.”

What actions destroy the Earth?

Answer: Pollution of land, water and air destroy the earth, Nuclear weapons threaten to blow up the earth.

How will you change it?

Answer: We should put an end to pollution. Non biodegradable products should be banned. The natural resources should be preserved and protected for the future. We should plant more trees to make the earth green and safe.

Glossary

sol          : Martian solar Day, A Martian day

capsule : a small cylinder shaped bed

hab           : habitat, human settlement

fuels           : an energy source for engines, power plants or reactors

adapting : modify, readjust

survival : to remain alive

terraform : a process by which the surface and climate would be changed to make the environment suitable to humans.

scientists : an expert in science