Speak for the Earth: It's the least we should do

This year's Booker prize winner turns our gaze to the planet from orbit and reminds us of the climate disaster that looms. Can odes sung to Earth move the world to act in its defence?

In a world poised for the long reign of algorithms, there should be a premium on romantic notions. One of these is harbored by many of us without admitting it: That the more we gaze at our planet from the great far yonder, the fonder we'll grow of it. And at some point, we will reach a tipping point that'll prompt us to save it. Images taken from outer space have often been deployed by well-wishers of Planet Earth. The idea is to present the great blue ball as a marvel, unique for hosting life in an inhospitable universe. The hope is that this sight will inspire not just awe, but also a blend of emotion and responsibility: As the species that has taken Earth to the brink of catastrophe, it's for us to undo the damage. And the urge is to cradle the planet with captions that nudge people to take a larger view. "Saare jahan se achcha," is what Indian spacefarer Rakesh Sharma reportedly said on catching his first glimpse of India from up there. "The best of all worlds." He might as well have been speaking of the whole globe.