Only environment destruction could hasten world's end - Gammanpila

Priyanka Kurugala

The world will not end today. However, if the destruction of the environment continues at its current pace, world's end will occur in 2052 - 40 years from now, Western Province Agriculture, Agrarian Development, Minor Irrigation, Industries and Environment Minister Udaya Gammanpila said.

A myth was spread throughout the world that the world will end today according to the Mayan Calendar. It is an insult to Mayans, as a race well conversant with astrology, he told a press conference at the Public Library Services auditorium yesterday.

The press conference was held to make the public aware about the Earth Hour. Earth Hour is a campaign to conserve power and energy.

Gammanpila said some in Europe have sold their properties thinking the world will end today.

"They have reached their destruction by themselves before the end of the world," he said.

"However, it will be unable to stop the destruction of the world due to the uninterrupted destruction of the environment. Continuing this destruction will be an invitation to end the world," Gammanpila said. All activities conducted against human beings need to be stopped to protect the world, he said.

Cyclones, tornadoes, floods and earth slips are normal activities. These natural disasters should force human beings to pay attention towards protecting the environment. These are not environment problems. These are man made incidents, Gammanpila said. "Carbon emissions is the cause of every natural disaster. This has caused global warming. In another 40 years, there will be many natural disasters in the world. Therefore, it is vital to educate children on the importance of protecting the environment for it is today's children who will inherit the earth in another 40 years," he said.