Environmental Networking Platform for Children and Youth by SAMSUNG E&A
Stay connected with Eco-generation :
| Share 
| 
- Home >
- Our Actions >
- Ambassador report
6
Comments
A Glance at the Past |
|---|
|
by Liteboho Senyane | 02-12-2018 23:13
|
|
At the National University of Lesotho, I am currently enrolled in my final year of study with the double major of Development Studies and Environmental History. In Environmental History, we study themes that are mainly based on effects and consequences of human interaction with the environment. The aim of this is to understand some of the harmful activities that human beings do that causes the environment to react in undesired ways such as Climate Change and Global Warming. An aspect on Environmental History is, thus, to study the ways in which past groups who have lived in the African environment behaved in accordance with the physical environment so as to learn lessons about how to change our behavior and culture to include conserving and preserving our land and its natural resources. Lesotho, like the rest of Africa, has a History of being in close connection with the environment. This was due to the fact that the country had a deep respect and appreciation for the land that gave its people a way to survive through the provision of food and water. One such appreciation is through the practice of totems such as lions and crocodiles that Basotho have familiarized themselves with as animals that should be admired. In truth, some of the writing surrounding Africanist historiography may be a bit exaggerated but the fact that our continent has always respected the physical surrounding still remains. We have shown this through disinterest in intense pollution that is derived through heavy industries and through numerous traditional acknowledgement of the land that we live off. True, with changing times came new and different patterns of consumption and relationships with the environment and we have to adopt a nonchalance attitude about how our habits negatively impacts our physical surrounding. Taking a glance at the past is important, almost as important as taking a glance into the future. Where do we see our country in ten to fifteen years? Will we still be chasing personal dreams that seem to harm our environment and deplete our natural resources far more than necessary? Will we finally realize that a common goal of growth is what is best for the land that we have appreciated so much and should be appreciating far more than ever right now? The issues of Climate Change, Global Warming, and Ozone Depletion, over-population, pollution and other such environmental concerns should be a wake-up call to act now but instead, it seems that the talk is falling on deaf ears. As we lose more of the environment, it seems that people are only geared towards ensuring that their own personal safety comes first instead of working towards the common goal of combating our common enemy. It also seems that personal rivalries, competition and a race to get to the Promised Land are far more important than the present moment. Taking a deep glance at the past is a painful activity not because it reminds us of what our nations have had to endure but because we get a glance at the mistakes that we are repeating. Appreciation is important but without action engineered to ensuring that this appreciation results into co-operation towards good for all, appreciation becomes unimportant. We have come so far as a world, as a continent and as a country to simply keep doing our mistakes over and over again. This has to stop. We need to realize that some of the important lessons of how to move forward can be learned from principles such as Communism and Nazism. True, these are unpopular for reasons beyond my own understanding but the fact that there was a voice that stood up against what they viewed to be an enemy should be noteworthy. Our common enemy right now is time but it could a friend if we just stood for a moment, released we are already leaving a legacy and decide to take action to leave a good, great one even, instead of the one that exists already. |
|
|
|
|
Previous : Most Impressive Paper Related ...
6 Comments
Hello Liteboho
Future and the past aren't separated figures but something that is on a continuous track. What we will achieve in the future is the result of our past and present. As this is not an independent, disjoint matter we really should take a glance back at our past and admit what was wrong and should make differences out of it in the present for a greener future.
Thanks for the report!
Posted 05-12-2018 13:17
Hello Liteboho, thinking about irresponsible history makes us feel disappointed about the past. However, admitting the fact that we are facing it, we cannot escape from it but to prevent further problem and ongoing progression of it. Environmental history major might have taught you a lot in this part, and I can see how much you do think about this.
Sharing your thought with our public opinion will help all of us get onto it, and hope we can face and change the world we are living in :)
Thanks for your report!
Posted 05-12-2018 11:35
Hey Liteboho!
I like the term you use in your conclusion statement which was 'appreciation', alot lack this this reaction for the Earth as a whole. I believe that we are more racing against time than it being our enemy. Our true enemy is ignorance and laziness. Think about, how many campaigns, seminars, conferences (I can carry on and on), etc are there yet out of them only a few actually step up to make their plans in theory materialise.
More attention needs to be placed on these, not forgetting funding.
All in all, thank you for your well written and integrity driven report Liteboho!
Yours sincerely
R.
Posted 04-12-2018 22:36
Part of being part of Eco Generation is that we get to discuss these issues and understand them globally. Thank you for taking your time to read my report guys!
Posted 04-12-2018 00:39
Hello Liteboho Senyane, Namaste
When i am going through your report i knew that you area softhearted but determined girl who want to do something for the community and nation.
'Taking a glance at the past is important, almost as important as taking a glance into the future'
'We need to realize that some of the important lessons of how to move forward ' yes every developing country have to move on and start development otherwise other develop countries will rule us one day,
What a beautiful line is this, history and past are very important for every aspect in the present and in future, without our past we cannot imagine our future.
Nepal is very small country between two giants china and India
Trust me, India is dominating my country, leaders are corrupt and laid their head toward India, this is main reason behind our poor economy.
Thank you for such beautiful report.
Posted 03-12-2018 16:59
We must analyse our past and prepare plans and strategy's for present and future. Thank you for the report Liteboho
Posted 03-12-2018 11:32