Let’s switch off the lights
There seems to be nothing left to see here anymore. That the unsustainable mining is destroying the country and its ecology and its people has nothing to do with climate change.
That we are killing people so we can “mine happiness” has nothing to do with climate change.
That the tigers being hunted for Chinese libido has nothing to do with water scarcity has nothing to do with climate change.
That Coca-Cola destroying the groundwater has nothing to do with climate change.
That Monsanto is trying to sell GMOs in the name of climate change has nothing to do with climate change.
That our corrupt government officials are trying to introduce a Biotech Bill which will take away our right to protest, our food security has nothing to do with climate change.
That we are destroying our agriculture and then inviting companies like Monsanto to take over has nothing to do with climate change.
That while in the International Year of Biodiversity we are propagating GMOs which will destroy biodiversity and lead to monoculture has nothing to do with climate change.
That several hundred million villages in India go without electricity every day and that clean coal is being touted as the panacea to cure that problem has nothing to do with climate change.
Let’s switch off the lights.
And let us all feel glad that we did our bit for the environment.
Epilogue
Last heard Gurgaon in Haryana, India celebrated Earth Hour for 14 hours on March 22, 2010
Dear Hemant,
I loath to depress your already gloomy mood, but… Earth Hour was just a symbol, not supposed to help the environment in practice. Please read this:
http://viewsfromscience.blogspot.com/2010/03/earth-hour-why-i-wont-be-participating.html
I like the last paragraph: “If you really want to help the environment, use your own coffee mug when ordering coffee instead of using the paper cups they always give you.”
Cheers
Of course it was just a symmbol, but I did actually turn out the lights. Not that I think it will make such a big difference, but still… at least in Sweden I think Earth Hour kept the climate change debate discussion alive.
I am planning to come with my own post on the subject, and will explain my thoughts there.
@Robert thanks for that very interesting article.
ANd no, I am not in a gloomy mood. But what makes me start counting the ways in why something like the Earth Hour is irrelevant to India is the very ‘symbolism’ of it.
Climate change is a very serious problem and no it isn’t an environmental issue. It isn’t about carbon and carbon alone. It isn’t about the IPCC even.
I am saddened by the whole gimmick of tcktcktck and wwf. Especially WWF. On one hand they are in bed with Monsanto, the single biggest threat to the biodiversity of the world. And on one hand they hire advertising agencies to do this glitzy campaign.
Well, one can argue that at least people are becoming aware of the problem.
Going by what I saw, read and experienced at COP15, I think awareness has to be of the right kind.
Just switching off the light for an hour is going to do nothing. Neither would an approach like 350.
We must begin to understand that the implications of climate change have a social dimension to it. Something we are all facing in our every day lives.
As an aside: The US Army has declared a war on global warming. Military is also the single most biggest contributor to the world emissions.
I think the time for rhetoric is over. It’s time to work out solutions.
To come back to what you quoted: Use your own coffee mug…
Now, that’s the right start.
@ Daniel I am not sure where this debate of climate change is going. All I hear is the deniers vs believers. Blaming IPCC, Pachauri and so on.Nobody is really talking about the real issues. Food. Biodiversity. Water….and how they are related to climate change.
If you talk to a man in India, tell him about IPCC and 350 and he will turn the other way. But tell him that the water scarcity that he is facing every day is caused by climate change, he may listen.
We need to move on to talking about real issues and thinking of their solutions.
WWF, I am not sure is the blitzkreigs we need. Specially when they are going to end up walking Monsanto line.
This is what I am talking about:
#Monsanto sponsoring #Climate Change Leadreshp Summit at 2010 BIO convention - the one Al Gore’s spkng at! http://bit.ly/diBt5J
Apparently I had not fully read your irony, Hemant.
But speaking of US Army, that has declared a war on global warming… I would be far from ridiculling such ideas. If they are serious contributors to the world emissions, the more they should do it. Even dirty institutions or governments can do something good. Maybe one day we get solar energy F-something suitable for eco-wars.
And speaking of coffee mugs… I remember you in India have great invention: one-use clay cups for tea. 100 % eco.
http://chaipilgrimage.com/wp-content/uploads/kosteckishaw_chaipilgrimage19.jpg
Dear Robert,
I like your optimism. Something we all need!
And yes, those clay cups are called “kullhads”. Truly ingenious.
India needs to look at the amazing bank of wisdom it possesses and find solutions to environmental problems.
One of such issues is the water crisis and the Indian solution to it is rain water harvesting, a practice which has existed since centuries. But unfortunately a very miniscule amount of people are using it. More on it in my next posts about water.
come on, boys! be more positive. Look at this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwRulz8hPKI&feature=popt1dus07
@ Hemant - I think you have a point about the problem with symbolic gestures. If they are, as in Daniel’s case, part of a broader dedication to the cause then they’re fine - they form one element of solving the problem, and help provide a sense of unity. But if we all just engage in symbolic acts and this somehow makes us feel like we’ve fulfilled our obligations then they’re problematic. If we just engage in symbolism nothing of any value will be acheived. I suppose that’s what we need to remember.