Page 64 - PowerE-L05-E

Lesson 16

The Day after Tomorrow

In the run away block buster movie,” The Day After Tomorrow”,

the fate of the earth in the light of the excessive abuse of our en-
vironment was explored. Because of greenhouse effect, the polar

icecaps melted, pouring an inordinate amount of fresh water on
the earth’s seas and oceans creating an imbalance. Ecology de-

pending on a delicate balance between the earth’s natural forces,
Mother nature was upset and unleashed her fury. Hailstorms pummeled people, hurricanes devas-

tated the earths cities, tearing it apart and making its inhabitants and its buildings like rag dolls in the

hands of a child in a terrible tantrum, temperature drops to such an absurd level just breathing the
chilly air spells instant death . The enraged seas swept the lands, and skyscrapers were instantly

underwater. In the wake of this devastation, the earth looked like a ghost town, after a horrible mon-
ster of a plague left it in ruins. The rare few who were smart enough to seek shelters survived, the

rest of humanity perished. The world’s superpowers with their smart bombs, Mach 3 jets and gold
reserves were helpless. When mother nature speaks, everybody shivers in fear: when she shouts,”

save all the human survivors you can.” Because of the destruction of our environment, the main actor
(a climatologist) warned that we are on the verge of a major climate shift in the likes of the ice age.

But his voice was unheeded by stupid leaders who have no foresight, only an eye to a trifling budget
deficit. Although the scenario in this movie is a tad absurd, it rings true somehow. With the rampant

depletion of our forest resources, the dumping of waste in our seas, the pollution all around us, this

doomsday story might well become a reality outside Hollywood. Humans are resilient and they had
survived the latest ice age, but in the words of the movie’s penitent president,” unless we learn from

our mistakes, we shall perish altogether”.
Comprehension

1. What was the movie about?
2. What was the warning of the climatologist that the world leaders did not heed?

Questions

1. What should we do to save our environment?
2. Do you think these dooms days stories have sound scientific backing?

Vocabulary & Expressions

explored: to look into closely; scrutinize; examine.
inordinate: not within proper or reasonable limits; immoderate
unleashed: To release or loose from or as if from a leash
tantrum: a violent demonstration of rage or frustration; a sudden burst of ill temper
penitent: feeling or expressing sorrow for sin or wrongdoing and disposed to
atonement and amendment; repentant; contrite
rampant: Occurring without restraint and frequently, widely, or menacingly
resilient: recovering readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like

62