Mysuru, Apr. 27 (NNN)- “Should we wait till all natural resources are lost to find solution to environmental crisis or do something now to prevent the loss?” wondered Dr. Karen C Sokol, Associate Professor, College of Law, the Loyola University, New Orleans, USA.

She was delivering a special lecture on ‘Environmental Protection: Philosophy and Tools,’ organised by Department of Social Work, Pooja Bhagavat Memorial Mahajana Education Centre, KRS Road, here recently.

Dr. Sokol focused on two opposite view points to bring out various dimensions of environment protection versus human development and progress requirements.

“We need to look at whether human beings are superior to all other life forms or whether humans are one of many forms of life who have the right to exist and thrive. For instance, let us see whether the concept of sustainable development as seen in Cuba works and if such a model can sustain itself, if it were not for the embargo that was put on Cuba,” she said.

Prof. Sokol highlighted the three ways in which the present challenge can be met. They were the strong environmental laws, activism by the people for implementation of laws and the life style choices.

Dr. Sokol opined that Social Work as a profession has a lot to contribute towards working with the vulnerable sections of society with special focus on the environmental concerns. She  is in India on a Fulbright Scholarship to do a comparative study of Gandhian Philosophy and the Western Civil Disobedience movement of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. G.R. Janardhana,  Director, International Centre, and Professor of Botany, University of Mysore,  Dr. S. R. Ramesh, CEO and Academic Advisor, Mahajana First Grade College, and Dr. C. K. Renukarya, Director, Pooja Bhagavat Memorial Mahajana Education Centre, were present.

The discussion was moderated by Dr. Suman K. Murthy, Head, Department of Social Work. Students of final year MSW, K.T. Nikitha welcomed and Y. Sowmya proposed a   vote of thanks.