ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY SOCIETY

Today (22/4/2010) is the official Earth Day celebrated annually over the globe. The purpose is solely one; to remind people of the deteriorating fate of The Earth. Simple as it sounds, unfortunately to our dismayed, after some 40 years of celebrations, Earth Day is just so-so.

Environmental friendly society as its implies should not completely be limited to the cripple notion involving the green environment only. Though the emphasize is undoubtedly more towards nature however, in a broader aspect environment in its full context should include anything surround us including the society, the Earth, social welfare, economic struggle, scientific research and innovations, cultures and biodiversity. In other words, everything that evolves around us, is the environment and therefore it is our duty and responsibility as the steward to look after them all as a native tribe leader in the heart of Africa once said 'Mother Earth is not what we inherited from our forefathers but the one we borrowed from our future generations'.

With respect to social welfare, the world is indeed very far from friendly. Though natural disasters like tsunami, earthquake and tornado may bring the world together and the essence of helping hands were felt warmly thereafter, why can’t we in unison thoughts when it comes to matters such as public security, extreme poverty, marginalized individuals, underfed populations and educational setback? In his book, The End of Poverty (2005), Jeffrey Sachs reported that more than 20,000 people perished every day due to extreme poverty. Painstakingly, those figures are over 100 times more than the number of people killed in Chernobyl Disaster, Ukraine (1986). But what's the difference? We still remember the plights and outbursts of the Chernobyl tragedy, Tsunami and 9/11 attack – they still resonate in us. But why is the case so different when 20,000 people dying of poverty? Is it less tragic compared to the others? That’s the real manifestation of how serious we are should we care less. Education, often touted as 'leveller of society' failed to live up to the expectations leaned upon them. Worse still, white-collar strategists, intelligences, masterminds and spin doctors are all undoubtedly talented scholars, products of established universities! Seems to me that education, believed to stem global disparity, in the end, guarantees its arrival.

What can one do for an environmentally friendly society (EFS) is to re-define the concept of ‘environment’. It should not be limited to mere greens but cover all aspects of our surroundings. To me EFS must be comprised of an environmentally conscious society whom in time may bring great impact to the prosperity of the nation which in turn will liberate others from miseries.

In order to become an environmentally conscious citizen, one should be creative in matters pertaining to the environment. For example, restraining oneself from using plastic bags while shopping is creative – you helped to reduce amounting non-biodegradable substance! Also, shutting down one’s personal computer (PC) while it's not operating is innovative – Not only that you helped to conserve the depleting energy but also literally pro-long your computer’s lifespan and direct supply of constant unwanted electricity. What's more creative than that?

Moreover, campaigns such as the white coffin program, plastic free campus zone, the university in a garden concept and going green protocols should be taken more seriously. Not only campaigns, outreaching program up into the heart of the land should be carried out as well in order for us to teach and share the revolutionizing idea of conserving and preserving the Earth.

Stringent actions should be ruled towards those irresponsible brats of nature of which anybody including students can possibly do. In school, we were thought that killing, rape, stealing etc. are crimes but what about issues regarding nature degradation and environmental fallout? The time has come for us to re-shape our perspective towards nature. There must not be any more swept under the carpets kind of lies to be hide of as far as the matter of Earth revival is to be concerned. Responsible culprits must be brought up to the ultimate brink of justice for their misdeeds involving the environment.

Mother Theresa once said ‘we ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop’. So, that’s why we can make a great difference and it starts with YOU – always.

Till the next postings.