Celebrating Earth Day(s)…

Can we still help, Earth Day

Recently during a general discussion with my colleague, he said something that drove me to ponder upon a good thought and the result clearly became this post. “We are not doing anything on Earth Day this year, and I believe it suits our work interest driven organization”. When asked why he said so, he explained, “Earth Day is one day in a year when people come up with beautiful ideas to contribute towards saving the environment and actually implement what they plan. So, it is a holiday for us…at least one day we can be rest assured that something or someone is doing the job of protecting the environment & the cause of Earth Day”.

Earth hug

The official website of Earth Day Network, the coordinator of Earth Day globally, collate & list many events and campaigns that will be happening during the Earth week starting April 16 till April 22. It shows a huge number of 31,463,421 billion acts of green and 289 campaigns being organized worldwide. So, it’s indeed quite assuring and makes me agree to my colleague’s statement. As an organization, which is into vigilance service towards environmental harmony & sustainable development, the remaining 365 days of the year are what we call Earth days.

I fear that Earth Day may fall prey to human indifference cover-up technique. What happens around us everyday should be of great concern and importance to us than what happens on Earth Day. The recent volcanic eruption in Iceland concerns me more and the impact that it had on environment is something I keep relating to. The news that runs on most TV News channels seems to focus more on how it disrupted flights operation in Europe rather than its environmental impacts. Up to 4,000 flights were  cancelled with airspace closed in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark among others. Also no flights were allowed in UK airspace until at least 0700 hours BST on Friday amid fears of engine damage. But I choose to think that its nature, answering to the emergency regime we have declared on earth through our indifference towards its need for protection.

In India, we celebrate Diwali by bursting fireworks and in United Kingdom along with some parts of the Commonwealth, Guy Fawkes Night (or “bonfire night”), is again celebrated by fireworks display. When the news of the volcanic eruption flashed on the TV screen, I thought of Diwali and Guy Fawkes Night…amazingly the resemblance was intriguing. Here the earth seems to be celebrating something we had not thought of so far, splitting out fire, ashes & glass pieces perhaps to join the Earth Week and displaying its unique style of campaigning.

This Earth Day, the gift that I want to share with the world is a reminder of the famous quote by Marya Mannes (More in Anger), “The earth we abuse and the living things we kill will, in the end, take their revenge; for in exploiting their presence we are diminishing our future”.

Have a thoughtful and fruitful Earth Day!!

Previously on Delhi Greens:

Impuri Shimray

Impuri Shimray is a mass communication professional and is deeply committed towards working for an inclusive and sustainable society.

2 thoughts on “Celebrating Earth Day(s)…

  1. Pingback: Invite to Urban Ecotourism Bus Tour Exploring the Lifelines of Delhi this Earth Day 2011
  2. Pingback: :: Delhi Greens :: » Bhaiyaa aal izz NOT well, Aree chaachu all izz NOT well AT ALL!

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