(Wo)man on the Street
Walk up to the man-on the-street (or in the case of today’s more politically-correct era: woman-on-the-street), and quiz them for a spontaneous response to the word “environment”, some of the common thoughts and words that are most likely to be spewed are: tree-huggers, placards, Greenpeace, pandas, elephants, extinction, forests, peaceful demonstrations, and the list goes on.

Sadly but true indeed, these are the narrow-minded paths taken on by the lay persons – and by no fault of theirs, mind you! Much of these actually are rooted from the effect (or lack of it) of environmental education in raising awareness on the true definition and scope of environment.

Simply put, what environment really is: is everything and everyone around you – that you affect and whose/which very existence depends on your action/reaction/lack of action.

So, in reality, no one individual can claim NOT to be in the business of protecting and conserving the environment since by default of nature, or as those who believe in the powers of a divine being, all things and peoples around us have been placed before us for a greater purpose.

Then again, one may question: what really is this ‘greater purpose’? After all, had not the advent and evolving of new technologies signalled the ability for humankind to advance further for a ‘greater purpose’. Does advancement of technology, science and economy always mean that it would spell D-day: for the environment – be it doomsday, death, detriment, disaster, or destruction for the environment? Well, will not insult your intelligence on this one.

Yet sometimes one can’t but wonder how ignorant (or is it mere naivety?), that has led us to where we are today. Well the fact that some of us may still exclaim: but what IS wrong today anyway? All seems fine and dandy! That in itself, speak volumes of one’s oblivion to the current surrounding wrath of nature. Can’t attribute this to anything else than the effect of a tidak apa attitude. Even my colleague’s 9-year old son has gone as far as expressing concern over the erratic weather patterns in the Klang Valley. And by no measure is this result of ‘brainwashing’ by his environmentally-friendly mother.

Now, before we go on to point the accusing finger at the neighbour next door or in the neighbouring country/continent, as aptly put in one Holy Book, be ready to “take the log out of our own eye” before attempting “to take the speck out of the others’”.

So just as everything that’s beautiful begins with me, so everything that is adverse also begins with me. The only thing we often fail to realise is that, as the law of karma dictates, “what goes around comes around”. And so adversely we too, end up on the losing end of everything we start to destroy, debilitate, damage and destroy. And so we become the bearer of the dreaded D to ourselves, our families, our community, our society and our country.

Not that I seek to be a doomsday prophet, but this seems nothing more than common sense – that perhaps may not be so common to many.

However, on a more hopeful note, what is in interesting is that we have within us the freedom and power not to be the bearers of the dreaded D but rather the glimmer of hope to those around us. But in the words of our web-loving, superhero: “With great power, comes great responsibility”.

So, I sign off with the personal philosophy of one of my greatest living idols of today – Oprah Winfrey: ”Not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment”

And inspired by deeds of living saints and those gone before us, I ask myself: what is the extraordinary thing that I can do through my ordinary life?

(Wo)man on the Street only had the pleasure of relishing in the world’s beauty and wonders for almost three decades now , with much of that experience limited to Malaysia. A product of urban city dwelling, she tries to smell the flowers, and enjoy anything natural where possible, while on a constant battle with demons within in a bid to live a more environmentally-sustainable lifestyle. Shamefully, she hasn’t scored well here but perseveres! So, (Wo)man on the Street hopes to lend a lay person’s perspective to all things environment J

Contributed by : www.mengo.org