A few weeks ago, I posted a puzzle that had about more than 10,000 views spread in a few days. This made me realize how much people like solving puzzles. A puzzle, however trivial, is still a problem that needs solving. A thought occurred to me: can I relate my observation - people solving problems - with the current environmental situation our planet is facing? Global Warning: The Ice is Melting I recently saw the documentary presented by Al Gore a couple of weeks or so after I posted the puzzle and the consequential huge response. This documentary, although boring to some, hooked me into watching the entirety of the film. It clearly showed the environmental conditions our planet is facing. A recent trip to a cove made me realize how much we take our actions for granted, never giving any thought if the plastic soda bottle we toss over to the river will have any negative impact on the environment. The film also discussed thoroughly how the planet, our planet, copes with global warming, and this is by melting polar ice caps. Floating glaciers doesn't really do any damage to the planet when it melts because the water level is still the same. However, when land-based glaciers melt into the sea, the water level rises, which will cause flooding in some parts of the world, not to mention the tsunamis it may cause. Crack this code: Earth's dilemma As I said earlier, a previous post was viewed more than 10,000 times with some of those viewers leaving a comment saying they solved the problem, and how. It was easy. I'm sure most of those who viewed the post tried to solve the problem. It's human nature, after all, to solve problems, no matter how trivial it is. Earth's dilemma, however, is no trivial matter. This is one big problem that needs to be addressed at the soonest possible time. Pollution in all forms should be reduced. Alternative fuels that are clean and user-friendly should be developed. Bio-diesel and other fuel alternatives is a good start, but travelling great distances should be regulated, in the sense that if you need to go to India to take a picture of Taj Mahal, go ahead, but if you need to attend a meeting 3,000 miles away, use video, or audio, conferencing instead. The cost of the fuel that you need to travel the distance would feed a third-world family for weeks. That last statement isn't based on any statistical data, just on common sense. A sermon disguised as a proposal And since everyone is complaining about the rising fuel prices, telecommuting is becoming a very viable option. The technology is here already, and access is becoming cheaper everyday. A study of the cost-effectiveness, not to mention productivity, of telecommuting should be done to promote adoption of this practice. Both employer and employee should have the discipline, though, of trusting each other. As an employer, I trust you, the employee, to do your job, correctly and on time. As an employee, I trust you, the employer, to compensate, verbally and financially, my efforts fairly and on time. The keyword there, folks, is trust. No, it's not a new word, nor one that I made up. It's just something people don't commonly do anymore. But I digress. Telecommuting will basically save tons of oil and fuel IF big and small companies adopt this employment practice. Awareness of the negative effects of pollution should also be promoted. And promotion should be done periodically. Knowing it yesterday doesn't mean everybody knows about it already. Not everyone was born yesterday. Cheaper and cleaner alternative fuels are best left to geniuses. What we common folk can contribute is to reduce the amount of garbage we generate. Recycling and reusing is one way. Another is not recycling or reusing anything because there's nothing to recycle. There's nothing to recycle because everything is used up. Using 100% recycled products is nothing compared to 0% non-biodegradable waste. Somebody should start developing edible wrappers and bags. If this catches on, the only trash we produce are biodegradable ones. Smelly, but we'll live. But alternative fuels, telecommuting, lessening pollution, and promoting awareness are just parts of a multi-faceted solution. And only if we are united as a species will we solve Earth's dilemma. Animals act upon instinct. Humans act upon their own desires as dictated by free will. Humans are regarded as the smartest species in this planet, as said by a human. Therein lies the problem. Stated as a human, it is flawed because humans are flawed. And before I let myself go down a philosophical drain, I think it is time we humans prove to ourselves that we are the smartest species in this planet, and that is by healing this planet. Our planet. Escape is not an option.