English: Introduction

In the entire known universe, Earth is the only planet to support life. It has the perfect delicate balance of sufficient sunlight, a suitable atmosphere, and just the right ingredients which allowed for this miracle. What we call “life” can be traced back to about 3.8 billion years ago, when certain molecules combined to form intricate structures called organisms. Initially single-celled, these organisms would evolve remarkably and branch into diverse array of highly complex multicellular organisms dotting the planet. Over billions of years life would go through many cycles of extinction and re-emergence. Dominant species of organisms would get wiped out and newer ones would take their place. Much more recently in this story, around 70,000 years ago, organisms from the species Homo Sapiens start to develop further elaborate structures called culture, and tools called technology. With these advantages they acquire a lopsided dominance over the planet's ecosystem. The advent of agriculture around 12,000 years ago, and the scientific revolution which just kicked of some 500 years ago, further accelerate this process, and rapidly propel Homo Sapiens from cave dwelling hunter-gatherers to a planet-spanning civilization. However, the drastic prosperity of our species has had equally drastic repercussions for other forms of life in the planet. While we build more elaborate structures and make ungodly technological advances, we are poisoning our home. Background extinction rates are at an all time high, and the planet is fast becoming uninhabitable due to climate change, unable to bear the overbearing strain of human expansion and consumption. What happens when we cross the line?

This work is a small initiative to critically investigate our role in the death of our planet and to contest it.