Wednesday 22 April is International Earth Day. It is the 50th anniversary of the first World Earth Day.
22 April 1970 Mary Robinson was one of 400 000 people in New York celebrating the first International Earth Day. A poster caught her eyes that she has never forgotten. “Angry Grannies”.
Mary Robinson, granny to 5 grandchildren in 2015, was, like me, a middle child in a large family, we learned to elbow our way out to be heard. Justice and fairness played a vital role in her life when she was growing up. Her strong sense of the importance of human rights and climate justice led her to become a formidable world leader - former President of Ireland and now the leader of The Elders. On the 22nd April 1992 a baby girl was born and in September 2020 with the birth of her child, I will become a granny.
The intended impact of Earth Day since 1970 and all subsequent Earth Day’s was not met. Now, 50 years later, Mary considers a legacy she would like to leave her grandchildren, where, in 2050, they will hopefully, be able to look back at the present and acknowledge the good work done by us in this time where the tipping point to an unhabitable world with no return, is imminent That they will say they really appreciate what we did. That we took responsibility and lived up to those responsibilities. That we did not ignore the pending issues for the future.
JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION
ECO-SPIRITUALITY DISCOURSE 9 MAY 2020
The Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of Cape Town invites you to an online discourse that will give the participant a holistic understanding of the important role of stewardship in Caring for Our Common Home.
Information regarding this not to be missed event is at the end of this news blog.
LINKING COMPLEX SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WITH COVID-19
Everyone and everything is affected by human-induced Climate Change activity but the non-industrialised rural communities have had life-changing regime shifts including floods and droughts that have ended their subsistence lifestyles.
Poverty, hunger, the economy, gender equality, basic resources to vulnerable communities have been addressed at the government level but the growth in population and other problems are preventing the impact of this governance. Laws are in place to ensure that human wellbeing is protected but inequality has increased.
Greenhouse gas pollution is the biggest Climate Change problem. Even with the increased use of Renewable Energy, the high Global emissions are still creating a world not fit for human existence.
The poor and vulnerable are subsidising the middle and high-class consumers as they are extremely low energy consumers. High Greenhouse gas-emitting industries support the minority wealthy to continue living opulent lifestyles in large homes in spacious suburbs totally unaware that their small population group emits about 180% more than the majority poor non-industrial population. Emissions need to be brought down to 1-1.5% (0% is recommended) by 2050 in order to avoid the exponential threat to human life on the planet.
GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING AT THE CENTRE OF THE 'SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS'
Good Health and Wellbeing is the centre of the survival of life on earth. The manifested relationship between the Climate Crisis, health and wellbeing, and COVID-19 is a shared vulnerability. Cleaner air is emerging through lockdown around the world. Increased governance ensuring health and wellbeing has shifted the focus away from a profit-driven economy. These trends really need to continue through the pandemic and most importantly, after it is contained. A new normal must prevail.
Peace and justice should be in place with the new lockdown laws and rules, but the overpopulated majority-poor communities are not protected. The large population of South Africans who live in small homes, all stacked on top of each other make the situation impossible to keep adequate social distancing. The lack of individual transport is keeping taxis overcrowded. Shebeens are selling alcohol out the back door. Activity and business are as usual. The informal settlements are too far from central districts, so this majority population is subjected to minimal variety and less healthy food from local Spaza shops. Most of these communities have had their salaries lessened or suspended and many are unemployed.
Churches are closed and only those who have access to data on digital devices can access the online streamed services provided. These vulnerable people are feeling more abandoned now than ever. In South Africa, the rate of COVID-19 infections is relatively low but the lack of effective lockdown is going to result in the inability to contain the outbreak. All the more now, humanity needs to have a sound knowledge of environmental issues.
Climate Change and COVID-19 are changing everything.
Consider your role on this International Earth Day. Where do you fit in this unequal society?
We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of International Earth day. this year. The theme for Earth day 2020 is “CLIMATE ACTION”. Earth Day 2020 sees the whole of humanity undergoing the huge COVID-19 threat. This situation is a historical moment when people of the world rise in a united call to change their daily activities in an eco-friendly manner.
This Quarantine period gives us time to meditate on how we have treated mother earth and our role as part of humanity. During this COVID-19 lockdown period, whether we are the minority over-consumers or the majority trapped in poverty, everyone can convert daily routines to an eco-friendly method. We can become conscious of our actions and lessen our consumption by living greener lives, using eco-friendly products, saving on energy usage, reducing energy emission in mobility, conserving water, conserving paper products, avoiding unnecessary use of plastic. We can all recycle, reuse, repurpose, reduce, avoid wasting food, and dispose of waste responsibly. We can conscientize ourselves and others about the increasing irreparable damage to biodiversity in the air, to the fauna and flora on land and under waters.
In meditating and applying these actions we will become aware that mother nature does not negotiate. We only have one Earth and we need to treat her right by changing our habits permanently. After lockdown, we really need to emerge into the new normal way of life as conscious consumers, supporters, and protectors of each other and of our vulnerable planet.
9 MAY 2020 ONLINE WEBINAR INFORMATION
You are invited to a webinar on 9 May 2020 where you will be shown how your new way of life will be transforming life on earth to what God our creator intended.
Please email or call Berni to ensure you are part of this unique presentation. April 30 a practice webinar will take place to ensure that all participants are able to link up together to maximise the time to the fullest. Microsoft Teams will be the application to present the course. There is no need to download or join anything. All that is required from participants is to have an email address and sufficient bandwidth to live stream to Teams for the duration of the event which will be between 1 and 2 hours. Access to the webinar can be done on a cell phone, tablet, or laptop computer.
Wishing everyone the tolerance, vision, and motivation to journey through this unusual autumn and Easter season with an awareness that If we are prepared, peace, justice, and longevity will prevail in the new future, surrounded by good health and wellbeing for all.