4. The Earth: A Living Planet

4.
The earth is a living planet where many complex systems run perfectly
without stopping at all. When compared to other planets, it is evident
that inall its aspects the earth is specially designed for human life.
Built on delicate balances, life prevails in every spot of this
planet, from the atmosphere to the depths of the earth.
Exploring only a few of the millions of these delicate balances would
be sufficient to show that the world we live in is speciallydesigned
for us.
One of the most important balances in our planet is revealed in the
atmospherethat surrounds us. The atmosphere of the earth holds the
most appropriategasses in the most appropriate ratio needed for the
survival not only of human beings, but also of all the living beings
on the earth.
The 77% of nitrogen, 21% of oxygen and 1% of carbon dioxide as well as
other gasses readily available in the atmosphere represent the ideal
figures necessary for the survival of living beings. Oxygen, a gas
that is vital for living beings, helps food to be burned and converted
into energy in our bodies.
If the oxygen percentage inthe atmosphere were greater than 21%, the
cells in our body would soon start to suffer great damages. The
vegetation and hydrocarbon molecules needed for life would also be
destroyed. Ifthis percentage were any less, this would cause
difficulties in our respiration, and the food we eat would not be
converted into energy. Therefore, the 21% of oxygen in the atmosphere
is the most ideal quantity determined for life.
The conditions essential for life are too complicated to have been
formed"on their own"
No less than oxygen, other gasses like nitrogen and carbon dioxide are
also arranged in the ideal quantity for the needs of living beings and
the continuity of life. The amount of nitrogen in the atmosphere has
the ideal ratio to balance the harmful and burning effects of oxygen.
This ratiorepresents the most appropriate value required for
photosynthesis, which is essential for life's energy supply on the
earth. Moreover, the amount of carbon dioxide has the most appropriate
value that is needed to maintain the stability of the surface
temperature of the earth and to prevent heat loss especially at night
time. This gas, comprising 1% of the atmosphere, covers theearth like
a quilt and prevents the loss of heat tospace. If this amount were
greater, the temperature ofthe earth would increase excessively,
causing climatic instability and posing a serious threat against
living beings.
These proportions remain constant, thanks to a perfect system. The
vegetation covering the earth converts carbon dioxide to oxygen,
producing 190 billion tons of oxygen every day. The proportion of
other gasses is always kept constant on the earth by the help of
interconnected complex systems. Life is thus sustained.
In addition to the establishment of the ideal gas mixture required for
life on the earth, the mechanisms needed to preserve and maintain this
order are created alongsidewith it. Any break in the balance, though
instantaneous, or any change in the ratios even for a very short time
period, would mean the total destruction of life. Yet, this does not
happen. The formation of these gasses in the atmosphere just in the
amount people need, and the constant preservation of these
ratiosindicate a planned creation.
At the same time, the earthhas the ideal size in terms of magnitude to
possess anatmosphere. If the mass of the earth were a little less,
then its gravitational force would be insufficient and the atmosphere
would be dispersed in space. If its mass were a little greater, then
the gravitational forcewould be too much and the earth would absorb
all gasses in the atmosphere. There is an incredibly high number of
conditions required for the formation of an atmosphere such as the one
our world currently has and all of these conditions should exist
altogether to be able to talk of life.
The creation of these delicate proportions and balances in the sky is
mentioned in the 7th verseof Surat ar-Rahman:
"He erected heaven and established the balance." [Ar-Rahman 55:7]
The majority of people spend their lives without being aware of the
delicatebalances and subtle adjustments in the gas composition of the
atmosphere, the distance of the world to the sun or the movements of
planets. They are ignorant of the great significance of these balances
and adjustments to their own lives. However, even a minor deviation in
any one of these arrangements would create very severe problems
regarding the existence and survival of humankind.
:->

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