ach
day we are constantly being reminded of the havoc we have been
perpetrating on our environment and the boomerang effects it is having
on our lives. Whatever be our preferred media, there is news of
destruction, loss and suffering resulting from natural and created
calamities inundating us. It is almost as if a gruesome reality show is
unfolding before us where humankind is pitted against nature and self.
In this show there will be no winners unless we change the script and
rewrite the rules of the game while we still have a chance.
While the unforgiving reality show trundles on, we
are witness to the elimination of species, cultures and people, maybe
even entire countries in the near future. No one and no nation can be
immune to the spillover impacts of events happening in any corner of the
planet. It is time to pause and ponder on who should take charge and
rewrite the climax of this show in which we all are participants. Is it
them or is it us? Or is it me? There are no easy
answers to these questions, and the planet is being held hostage while
the debate continues over whose responsibility it is, but if we want to
act now, as we must, then it is - in the words of the Mahatma -
time to be the change you wish to see in the world.
Now that a rather gloomy picture has been painted,
true though it is, it would be doing injustice to ourselves to not
acknowledge some of the initiatives from across the world that are like
rays of hope that promise to usher in a new tomorrow. People across the
world, whether from developed countries or developing ones, in
mega-cities or remote villages, in blue collar or white collar jobs,
young or old are coming together to claim their right to and
responsibility for the planet that has been around long before we
started devastating it. Integrated efforts by all stakeholders for
effective change through both policy and practice are being pursued in
scattered experiments that have already started showing that it is
possible and that it is not a losing battle.
The articles in the following pages present a collage
of perspectives and initiatives at different levels and varied contexts
that also offer a glimpse into some of the multi-faceted activities of
Development Alternatives in the field of environment.
We are constantly inspired by the stories of change
emerging from across the world. What is required is for each one of us
to realise that it is our turn now. As the world unites to celebrate
Earth Day and express solidarity with the planet that we call home, let
each one of us pledge to create our own story of change. Let every day
be Earth Day - an occasion to recognize and renew the ties that bind us
to the Earth in a common future. Our future is in our hands. q