Connecting people to nature

By  Dorjee Zangpo; 3th position. English advanced Class

From the smallest microorganisms to the largest animals, all life on earth has a common ancestor. Everything is connected to everything. So how is it that our species has come to dominate the landscape in such a short period of time? Life on earth has always followed a natural course of evolution. However, our rapid success as a species has begun to affect this natural order. An intimate relationship with the environment is built into the human psyche. Historically, nature, mountains, rivers, trees, the sun, the moon have always been honored in ancient cultures. It is only when we start moving away from our connection with nature and ourselves; we began to pollute and destroy the environment. We need to revive these attitudes that foster our connection with nature. Nature is real and relevant part of our daily lives, from the water we drink, to the food we eat, to the air we breathe. Unfortunately many children do not spend much time outdoors, and many people do not appreciate the importance of nature in their daily lives. Let me share my own experiences and perspectives to connect people to nature.

As we spend more and more of our lives interacting with technology, permaculture class asks as what nature means to us, why we need it, and this traces the history of the separation between humans and nature and how to consider reconnecting with the natural can provide a vital path to emotional health.

Pollution creates violence and we must examine our present lifestyle. The inorganic modern lifestyle is the biggest threat to humanity in the 21^st century. The solutions lie in diverse and indigenous culture.

Use alternative system like GNH to GDP, stay more connected to real world not virtual world. We need a new education program to develop the kind heart of the student. We must give equal importance to ancient wisdom by understanding meditation, mind training and yoga.

Individuals can recycle their own consumable wastes at market level. For example, I use Men-Tse- Khang products. After I use them, I can give back the containers, etc. to Men- Tse- Khang shops for them to either reuse or recycle! Business establishments must have policies on waste also. While dealing with waste we can contribute to the rejuvenation of the environment.

Environmental education, awareness and talk are necessary for everyone. The political and spiritual leaders must promote ‘Green energy’ i.e. ‘Go green, safe life’. Why have we failed to negotiate environmental conferences? We the people of world can bring climatic deals to life. It’s up to us to decide what happens next!

A collaborative effort on the part of both individuals (responsibility) and the government (duty) is necessary to ensure clean environment. Showing documentary films as awareness project may be fruitful to educate the authority, individual and community at large. These singular experiences can lead to emotional and behavioral impact at individual and community level to act locally and think globally.

Let’s join our hands to dispel the ignorance toward insensitivity of environment. Revive nature and nature will rejuvenate your happiness and the happiness among sentient beings. Let’s pledge to be the change in this world environment day. We must examine ourselves and our environment to change our illusions. Together, we can change for the better!