The Ailing Planet: Summary & Analysis

Are you struggling to understand the core message of "The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement's Role"? This crucial chapter in the Class 11 English Hornbill textbook is more than just an article; it's a wake-up call for humanity.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the chapter to help you ace your exams and understand our environmental responsibilities.

1. Earth as a Living Patient

The chapter opens with a powerful metaphor: the Earth is like a patient in declining health. Palkhivala argues that human perception is shifting from a "mechanistic view"—seeing the planet as a machine to be exploited—to a "holistic and ecological view."

• The Shift: We are beginning to realize that the Earth is a living organism with its own metabolic needs that we must respect.
• The Green Movement: Started in New Zealand in 1972, this movement created a global consciousness shift that is now irrevocable.

2. The Concept of Sustainable Development

A key term for your exams is "Sustainable Development." Popularized by the World Commission on Environment and Development (the Brundtland Commission), it is defined as:

"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs."

In simple terms: We do not own the Earth; we are merely "tenants" with a "full repairing lease." We have borrowed it from our children, not inherited it from our forefathers.

3. The Four Principal Biological Systems

Palkhivala identifies four biological systems that form the foundation of the global economic system. Understanding these is vital for scoring well in chapter-related questions:

4. The World's Most Dangerous Animal

One of the most striking anecdotes in the chapter is about a cage in a zoo in Lusaka, Zambia. The sign reads "The World's Most Dangerous Animal," but inside, there is no animal—only a mirror. This signifies that humans are the greatest threat to the planet's survival.

5. The Twin Threats: Overpopulation & Deforestation

The author identifies the root causes of the planet's ailment:

• Exploding Population: The growth of world population is distorting the future of human society. As Palkhivala notes, "Development is the best contraceptive," but development itself is hindered by rising numbers.
• Deforestation: We are losing forests at the alarming rate of an acre and a half every second. In many poor countries, forests are decimated to procure firewood for cooking.

Conclusion: The Era of Responsibility

The chapter concludes with a call for a new "Era of Responsibility." It urges industries, students, and governments to act as responsible trustees of the legacy we hold. To save the ailing planet, we must move from a system of domination to one of partnership.