HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!

On the 40th anniversary of Earth Day I wish to walk you down my private memory lane of the event. Back to my time at Seishin in Tokyo. I think it was 1989, because my friend Louisa wasn't there but already back in HK. And at school there was a huge buzz. The whole school was converging on the gym for a rare treat. A lecture on the urgency of becoming environmentally active to save the Amazon. Rumours zig zaged through the classes like lighting - Sting is coming!!! Sting will be telling us about the importance of saving our planets biggest rainforest from deforestation, cattle grazing and other dangers lurching in the dark!!!!

Never had the gym witnessed so much excitement. This was hysteria akin to Beatles' first Madison Square concert. What was happening? Why were we running late? Suddenly someone was approaching the dias, surrounded by Mr. Tootle, Mr. Woods and many other of our teachers... It was the chief of an amazonian tribe, in ceremonial dress. There was a long hush. Where was Sting? Where was his travel fellow? And a whispering cloud on the stage. Suddenly one of the teachers asked Sandra Y, Desirée and me to get up on the stage: we'd have to translate for the chief. I am so sorry I can't remember his name.

He began to explain the situation of his tribe, his habitat. We tried our best to translate it all. As the story unfolded, we all stopped thinking about Sting's no show. This man and what he was telling us had us riveted. His message, his cry for help left us breathless, and indignant as only teenagers can be, about the world's injustices and the cupidity of polititians and businessmen.

Looking back, I realize most of my teachers back then were probably eco activists at a time when that was not so normal. Their concern for the future of our planet permeated much of what they taught us, much of what we learned. I was already convinced back then that I didn't want to have a car. I didn't want to contribute to the destruction and monopoly of the oil and automotive industry, because I didn't / don't / can't in all honesty believe that the social model they have encouraged is good or beneficial for us as a society, or as a species, and I believe it is destructive for all the other species and biodiversity on this earth.

I've been raised Catholic but I do not believe humankind really is as entitled as we seem to generally think we are, often citing Genesis. I believe we are the biggest danger to this earth. In many ways we are the worst "pests" if you will, because we have such capacity for destruction. We have potential, but our lack of respect for all the other species we coexist with and for nature ruins that potential. And if we are not careful this will be our downfall.

Does my believing these things, and trying to live in a way that is consequent with these beliefs, however imperfect, make me a "Taliban", as I have often been told? I don't know about that. What I do know is that, the more I learn about interconnectivity, science, biology, sociology, climatology, etc... the more sure I am that WE, not tornados, not tsunamis, not earthquakes, volcanoes or a meteor falling out of the sky are the biggest danger to the Earth's survival. Which is why I have to do all I can to raise awareness and change my ways, our ways. There's no excuse and no time to do any less.