Here is an assortment of interesting summer dates that share a common theme, as we will discover once we put it all together.
22 March: World Water Day
22 April: Earth Day
23 April: World Book Day
5 June: World Environment Day
May 4: Star Wars Day
It would seem that there was never a better summer to expand one’s reading list and give titles like these a once-over. Unless one has been living under a rock, one knows only too well that there is no part of the world that has not been affected by the dramatic swings in climate. Over 90 percent of “natural” disasters are weather-water-related, including drought and aridification, wildfires, pollution and floods(1). Hot is not just hotter, but hottest with a vengeance. The adjective jump from the comparative to the superlative has not been sudden. It has been there throughout, slow but sure. Unfolding right in front of our eyes, while we thought we had more pressing issues to deal with and promised ourselves that we would definitely start doing our bit from the very next day, or week, or month and such. Our ostrich approach did nothing to avert the crisis. And just like that, it was upon us all.
Climate activists have chanted slogans, gate-crashed conferences and made their presence felt at venues of socio-cultural significance by resorting to actions intended to make headlines. Enough has been documented by agencies and volunteer groups worldwide. Students across the world have engaged in debates, written countless essays, sketched creative posters and enacted on stage various facets of the harsh future lurking ahead, in a bid to increase awareness and urge people to act.
Awareness may well be key, but action is indispensable. Climate crusaders do not have to wear capes or climb mountains to make a difference. Small steps closer home can go a long way. Here is some inspiration to start with. Let’s all do our bit wherever we are, whatever we do.
As an investor though, what can you do better? Let our SRI portfolios for Better Planet help you prioritize goals that align with the 3 R’s of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Investing into them involves a simple and quick series of clicks from the comfort of your room. Between them, you can choose to invest in companies that focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, building energy efficient products, reducing energy footprint, using alternative energy sources and conserving water.
In the middle of a world torn by political interests, rampant consumerism and insatiable greed, the noblest of intentions are often left hanging despite all the frenzy. It’s not enough to celebrate a day. Or to wait for your neighbor to make the first move. This is a reality that sadly cannot be simply wished away. What is worse, while the planet fights this battle, humans will probably lose the war. Most cities and societies are neither designed to resist unforeseen temperatures nor are logistically capable of a rejig. More importantly, the administrators need to stop their petty and indiscriminate squabbling to come together and prepare to combat this looming threat. Widely-acclaimed and loved as the Star Wars tales may be, it would be a terrible shame if the planet is eventually left fit to only ever be capable of hosting droids and non-humans.
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
Poem ‘Leisure’ – by W.H.Davies
Let’s read between the lines. It’s time to act.
Footnotes:
(1) https://www.unep.org/topics/fresh-water/disasters-and-climate-change
PHOTO CREDIT
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Boonyachoat
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/alphaspirit
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/HannaDelli
Via SHUTTERSTOCK
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