Is Environment Concern of Environmentalists only!!by | 23-03-2014 23:47 |
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![]() ![]() Environment- the mother possibly gives birth and includes every entity of this earth. Deeper we try to understand the environmental system, more vibrant, more complex and more interconnected we find, and all the humans a part of this interconnected system. The question rises, then why are we debating on whose responsibility is environmental protection when environment is being more vulnerable each day? While the world is debating on the occurrence of Climate change, the greatest threat to present world, youths have initiated series of actions to de-invest from fossil fuel and promote eco friendly activities under the banner of Global Power Shift (GPS), that?s leadership and responsible action as being human. Generally only handful of individuals who are conscious about environment are found to be very concerned of well being of environment- the only life support system. The world is struggling to find ways to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate but still, there are people who are much more concerned on earning economy rather than earning a life to themselves and their future generation!! ?Environment is a luxury in present context. A country where people are living under extreme poverty and where people find difficulties to earn their livelihood, who cares about environment?? stated a undergraduate student of Economics a complete contrasting view and a typical mind state of a conventional economist, at ?Orientation on I am a Power shifter? organized by GPS Nepal at Kathmandu University School of Art (KUSOA) Hattiban , Lalitpur on 6 March, 2014, amongst students of community development, economics and some environment concerned individuals. The program was organized to orient students of KUSOA on ?I am a Power shifter? which aims in bringing youth from diverse field, develop leadership skill to initiate and lead activism against climate change, but the main hurdle- the perception, is environment their cup of tea? Starting with positive note and expressing concern over environment, Prof. Mahesh Baskota- Dean at KUSOA stated, "Climate Change has been affecting the globe, poor and marginalized are the most to be affected by it, it is our common concern." People have usually understated environment and have not directly taken it into account for the community development. Digging the concepts of Community development, Pratap Maharjan asked, ?What does community development mean?? ?Understanding the problems of community and finding solutions to those problems through direct participants of community members and not imposing the ideas and actions,? said Samikshya Bhattarai, a student of Community development. But if any individual not belonging to a particular community tries influence to act upon certain problems that prevails but community hasn?t realized, is that community development?- answer still being awaited. "So what are the problems of community that we are observing now?" asked, Pratap. "Poverty, air pollution, early marriage, disparity, unemployment, political crisis.....,"replied the participants. Really? In the hall with more than 25 Participants only one said environmental issue as a problem of the society. This is a reflection of the society and the mindset of youth who are not studying environment directly, but the question aroused, is environment concern of environmentalists only? There is no denying that societies have many problems but our point is environment should be one of them in present context. May be climate change is such issue where external individuals need to make communities realize and act upon. We hear Youth are Future of Nation, but do we want to change the statement? The answer as expected –YES from all. "Youth- the present of nation moving on to the career path, no matter what we become, we are sure to work in the communities ripped off by climate change."- bitter reality which youth have rarely taken into account. Time to revisit our perspective and thinking!!-Notion of the discussion. "Meanwhile, should we (Nepalese) really be concerned of climate change being one of the least contributors??" pointed Pratap. The answer is definitely yes!! We are the fourth most vulnerable countries to climate change. Our Himalayas are melting, we our losing our biodiversity, our farmers are depending upon the rainfall are not getting desired rainfall. Our economy depends upon agriculture and tourism, what when both of these sectors are disturbed?? "But how youth can help in overcoming these and develop communities?"-asked GPS team. "Strengthening Economy, activism, awareness, volunteering in the community development activities, facilitating in the communities to identify and solve problems," the enthusiastic participants listed. That is exactly what we wanted, zeal and enthusiasm to work in communities and somehow find out if environment should be concern of the communities. ?Nonetheless the source of economic development is the raw material of environment, then should an economist be concerned of well being of environment,? Pratap opined which the student of economics could not deny. Also while we were promoting environment earlier may be our approach was not appropriate as we focused on hardcore environment in isolation but if integrate with community?s need then no wonder the society will accept it, concept of green economy supports the same. Be it issues and actions for development or economy, the actions should be people centric, but in all cases environmental consideration is a must. "So are the youths studying of community development and economics ready to work in communities considering environment, initiate and lead activism against climate change?" Pratap asked. The answer was- Yes. The day GPS team shared the objectives and the details of 2.5 months long training and action oriented program, "I am A power shifter" but along that, the team also motivated students from non environment field to rethink about how they would work in communities and how would communities be when they start to work professionally. It does not matter, whether they act being a part of the program, but the team is hopeful that it could contribute to encourage participants to integrate environmental issues in their respective subject, which is power shifting!! |