In 1971, the US planned to test a nuclear bomb on the Amchitka Island, off the coast of Alaska. The bomb would harm the rare biodiversity of the island. A group planned to charter a boat to the detonation site, and force US to stop the activity. As they left with peace signs waving, someone said, “Let there be green peace.” And so was made the beginning of the largest non-profit organization working towards sustainable development and environmental protection.
Since then September 15 is dedicated as a Greenpeace Day. But is celebrating environment protection only for one day enough? Have such commemorations become banal, bordering on jingoism.
People have turned such days into photo opportunities to post on their Facebook walls and Instagram pages. We switch off lights for one hour, or plant one tree and then forget about it.
We have converted wetlands into shopping malls and covered mangroves with asphalt. We have turned pastures into garbage dumps and rivers into sewage canals. Our one-day enthusiasm for the environment is not enough to save the earth.
While the countries make long-term plans to reduce carbon foot prints and invest money in energy saving technology in seminars like the Paris Declaration, it is more important for us ordinary individuals go eco-friendly in our daily lives.
While the actors endorse green lifestyle during award shows and the leaders plant saplings in school compounds, they are only token acts to inspire the people.
John Abraham has been associated with a campaign with PETA to provide solar energy to villages. We need to take inspiration from the likes of him, who are true to their word.
