The ‘science’ of destruction?

Science has given us the wonderful gift of knowledge, but it has also given us chemicals which destroy the planet. The mention of the progress of science brings to mind the horrifying images of hydrogen bomb explosions and other tragedies. Science must be used to create a better world, not to destroy it. To promote awareness among nations to use science for the common good, the World Science Day for Peace and Development was instituted on November 10. It has been celebrated every year since then.

Science has brought tremendous changes in various aspects of our lives. The advancements in the field of medicine have eradicated many diseases such as smallpox and polio.

Discoveries in sciences and technology have brought us one step closer to exploring and living on other planets, like Mars. It has brought the world closer through communication.

Developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics have made our lives easier. While science has positively influenced our daily living, it has also been revealing its negative side. However, nuclear physics gave us nuclear weapons, like atomic bombs. In the past, these bombs have resulted in death and destruction, especially during the Second World War.

While science has its own impact, it is up to us to choose to integrate its positive or negative side in our lives. We must only use it for the well-being of humanity and not to destroy the planet. Just as the late Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam once said: “Science is a beautiful gift to humanity. We must not distort it.”