A Reflection

In Balinese culture, there is a sense of depiction about the universe in human beings. This senses stated that human beings are the representative of the universe through all of their elements. It's called Bhuana Alit (human beings) and Bhuana Agung (universe). Bhuana means world, Alit means small kind, and Agung means big. There are five elements which is became the representation in both of them. They are: Teja (light), Bayu (wind), Pertiwi (soil), Apah (water), and Akasa (sky). In the human beings, they are Teja (body heat), Bayu (energy), Pertiwi (bone), Apah (fluid), and Akasa (cavity). That is the representative relation between the universe and human beings. So, based on this relation, actually we can handle and keep this world, seems like we treat our self in order to be better. 

This analogy above is describing the kind symbiosis between the humans and earth. Human beings need some kinds of resources from the environment, and the environment provides them. In the knowledge of environmental chemistry, there is a term of steady state. It is a balance condition of the environment. In other words, there is no pollution which is interfere the steady state. In order to keep this balance, the environment has ability on purifiy themselve to back toward the steady state. Unfortunatly, now the effort of environment to do self purification is obstructed.

As development of the era, the people needs is more increasing and varies. It caused the enhancement of industries in all sectors. All kind of industries which has been used the resources, oftenly doesn't mind about the sustainability of the environment, but there are also some industries which has been managed their environment well. In order to fulfill the people's needs, industry sector is very important. In environment point of view, it has to complete with the sustainability work. If it's not done, the resources will be not long live used.

In that case, it's not only the responsible of the industry, but also the people as the user of the product. It will be normal when we used the resources wisely. But now, there are many kinds of people's act which is seems to have become a habit. Waste carelessly, untreatment wastewater, air pollution, open defication free, deepwater pollution, oil spill, and effect of global warming. They are the face of our environment now, or may be in the future. It seems like our life. When we hoped a succsess of our future, we have to do our best efforts. When we wanted to make our children can enjoy the clean water, fresh air, and beautiful nature, we have to keep our environment better. Keep environment means keep our future life. We are the small depiction of the universe.

In this time, not too late to start living more friendly with environment. Mahatma Gandhi, said that "when we wanted to make a big change, it should start from ourselve". Ona day, HOS Tjokroaminoto said to Soekarno, "Human beings is like the earth, if you want to get her, you have to hold her heart". This reflection aims to make us realize that we are as the part of universe, we have similarity with it. What we did to environment around, it means do the same to ourselve.

An Honor to the Earth with Heart
I Made Wahyu Wijaya
Environmental Engineering