Green-Nuts & Dodo Birds

I am a semi-environmentalist. I say 'semi', because a true environmentalist would recycle household waste, turn of the water while brushing her teeth, cycle to the shops instead of driving a car and shun all non-biodegradable items. I'm ashamed to admit that I don't do any of this stuff. I wish I did, but I don't. But there ARE little things that I do that should justify me being a self-proclaimed semi-environmentalist.
 
I rarely accept plastic bags when I go shopping, I fully utilize every single piece of paper before I throw them away, I toss rubbish into recycle bins when I see 'em, I write for publications on the environment, I donate to environmental-friendly organizations... I even took an elective in university - Environmental Law.

But it's quite lonely being a semi-environmentalist. Not many people understand why you do the things you do. So imagine how lonely it must be for hard-core environmentalists. People constantly sneer at their valiant efforts to save the environment. They're labelled as tree-huggers, green-nuts and other degrading names.. 
 
Funny thing happened when I was shopping yesterday. I just picked out a couple of pens and went to the counter to pay. I gave my money and told the cashier "No plastic bag, ya." and proceeded to put the pens in my bag. She looked at me funny and told me to hand over the pens so she can bag them. I ask her why, and she tells me that the security guards might look through my bag and think that I stole the pens. I told her, it's okay, I'll keep the receipt as proof of purchase. She didn't seem convinced and said she'll give me the plastic bag anyway.

I smiled and shook my head. Then I think she got a bit annoyed with me and she said "Ambik je la. Plastic bag ni free, bukan kena bayar." (Just take it, the plastic bag is free, no need to pay for it) Sheesh... did I look like I had never gone shopping before?

But I liked the girl, she was very friendly so I explained to her that declining a plastic bag is just my pathetic way of maintaining my semi-environmentalist status. I don't think she was very much enlightened by it. In fact, she gave me a look like I was a green-nut.

Oh well... At least I tried.

By the way, this happened in the  'Tower of Frustration'... I think the people there have an obsession with plastic...

I'm not surprised that being an environmentalist (or even a semi-environmentalist) is not catching on very well here in our country. Environmental concerns are rarely highlighted in developing countries. No one really cares about the ozone layer, or the sea water, or the air pollution as compared to economic development, financial success and political stability.

I wonder how long it will take for our government to take the proper initiative and go all out in promoting environmental awareness (instead of the token recycling campaign once in a while...)
I wonder when our people (including myself) will come to realize the irreplaceable nature of the environment and all it encompasses.

I never had the opportunity to see a dodo bird... it's not impossible that my grandchildren will not be able to see a tiger unless they visit the museum.

I have to go to the hills and the valleys to breathe in good, clean air.... it's not impossible that my grandchildren will have to pay to buy a full tank of good, clean air... In fact, scarily enough, this is happening NOW, even...people buying oxygen due to serious air pollution .

Maybe one day soon, an epiphany will hit us all, and make us realize the value of our shared home...

You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope someday you will join us, and the world will live as one - JOHN LENNON
 
Inspired by Prodigy