Citizens of the Environment: Are you one?

"They took all the trees
And put them in a tree museum
And they charged all the people
A dollar and half just to see 'em
Don't it always seems to go
That you don't know what you've
got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot"

Joni Mitchell: Singer/Songwriter: Big Yellow Taxi:1970

Q1 Have you stopped yourself from throwing that piece of tissue paper or sweet wrapper outside the
car or a bus window?

Q2 Are you worried when you see forests being cleared uncontrollably and you just wish you could do
something to stop all this from happening?

Q3 Have you ever wondered, there might come a time, when the only place you and your friends
might be able to see a tiger, an elephant, an orangutan or even a rhinoceros will be at the zoo?

If, you say YES to one or two of these question, congratulations...you are well on your way to being part of the citizens who care and will protect our environment to the best you can.

What is environmental citizenship?

OK!!!!! Environmental Citizenship is your responsibility as part of the community, stop...take a step back and think how your daily life and the lives of the people around you have an effect on our environment. Once you have a clear understanding of this idea, you will certainly volunteer to change your daily habits, so that both you and the environment can benefit.

Environmental Citizens in Action
How you can start?... Well, here are some great cool ideas:

• You might want to turn the tap off while brushing your teeth of washing your face...we do not need to waste this precious water,right?
• You could turn off the lights or electrical appliances in your homes, offices or classrooms when not in use!
• Hmmmm...why don't you try separating your household garbage and be rewarded at the buy back centre
• Every time you feel like purchasing food outside, bring your own food (or even drink) containers along
• Have you heard about a programme called river watch, which helps you understand the processes of monitoring river water quality in your area? Why not join one today?
• Maybe you could even start an association in you area which cares and protects the environment
• You could even co-organise a talk together with an environmental NGO as an activity or
• You together with your friends could start a small recycling centre where proceeds are channeled towards environmental activities for your area.

The environment has no one else that it could depend on except for you and me. Its very existence tomorrow depends on whether you are wiling to take that first step in translating your concerns into actions, which sill ensure that it will still be there for our future generations to enjoy. As sang by Joni Mitchell in 'Big Yellow Taxi', there might come a day when the only way for you and I to see trees, will be in a tree museum. Let it not come to that, do you agree?

-------------Era Hijau 4-2006