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GREEN ACT People got together at the Marina Beach to draw attention to the most pressing global issue of the moment. NIHARIKA M.

As our leaders in Copenhagen aim at sealing a competitive deal, here in Chennai a concerned initiative was pushing for that end. Climate change seems to have become the “key word” at the moment. With what the papers talking about emission cuts, greenhouse effects, melting glaciers and rising sea levels, the common people cannot be far behind, and certainly not the youth. Greenpeace, in association with other NGOs such as IYCN (Indian Youth for Climate Change), Bhumi, WWF, Pasumai Thyaagam, Reunite to Redefine India, organised an ambitious Human Chain at Marina Beach last weekend. This event being a part of the ‘Climate Satyagraha’ movement was to raise the “Hope for a Climate Saving Deal at Copenhagen”. The Marina was quite symbolic a place of host. Often referred to as one of the “dirt ridden” beaches in Chennai, its reputation hasn’t been altered over the years. Now, the Singara Chennai Campaign has sufficiently tried to make the Marina a cleaner place of interest. Though, isn’t it high time the general public sees something in action for India’s run on the international platform?

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These volunteers would settle for nothing short of a “real deal” and any sluggishness on the part of our leaders would not be accepted — was the message . Posters from anxious voices read “Date with your Environment”, “You break, You buy, You Pollute, You die”, and “Care for Your Planet? Go Green”. And these voices, when spoken to, had a lot more to say. Shankar from Pasumai Thaayagam said they would like to urge people to plant a tree for every automobile they own. That way we are at least compensating for the damage caused. Subsequently, Alisha Abdullah, a professional biker herself, talked about her own profession’s possibilities of causing damage. However, to combat this they use special fuels that cause less damage to the environment. Also the indoor racing tracks are a boon to the cause of significant change. But what we really need here is to ensure that such fuels are easily available and at affordable prices.

Climate Change has a very personal aspect as well; for those who have lived in a place for a good period of time, it is quite easily visible. Actor Rohini, a resident of Chennai for the last 35 years said that the average heat levels have seen a dramatic swing since the 1980s. “This is a trial,” she continues, “a way of reaching out to people; sitting in the comfortable confines of home and criticising failure would not really take us anywhere”. But BHUMI’s home-based solutions for energy conservation takes care of the majority of our population — composting, waste management and recycling are the do-able day to day practices. Thus at every level there is an answer, only our actions need to be channelised in that direction. 0ne of the most visible positives of this effort was that a number of people joined the chain on the spot. It took just that much convincing. It is not just Chennai but the Indian movement that is making a difference. Ever since the apprehensions of India’s preparation for the Copenhagen Summit began last year, a number of NGOs came up to deliver justice. The IYCN for instance, that was started two years ago with two members has up to one lakh members now.

An Indian Youth Summit was held in Hyderabad where youth representatives from across India discussed the nuances of climate change and its repercussions. Badlav was one another such concept held in New Delhi. But one of IYCN’s best conceptions till date has been the road tour around 15 major cities of India in the solar powered electric car- REVA. As I looked at the placid Marina waters, wondering for how long it will survive the handiwork of man, one thing struck my mind: at the moment, it is in the right hands.

Niharika is a II Year student of BA Literature at Stella Maris College.

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