Jerry Achen on Global Warming Awareness Day 08.08.08

Fr. Jerry Kurian, currently doing doctoral studies in Communication in Gurukul suggested ten ways to beat the global warming locally. He was talking to the Gurukul Community on the August 8th 2008 at 8 pm when the Gurukul lights were switched off to show its solidarity with those who are concerned with global warming. Chennai has followed Sydney and Mumbai, in this exercise of solidarity. Jerry Achen who belongs to the Syrian Orthodox Church has been a member of the faculty of the Orthodox Seminary at Mulanthuruthy, Kerala. To enter into his thought world go to his blog, Jerry achens world.

Here is the full text of the speech:

Switching off for 8 minutes and 8 seconds

It is indeed an honour to share some insights with you as we have assembled here to be part of an activity aimed at creating awareness about global warming. As the name suggests, human kind have through their actions made a negative impact on the earth. Global warming in effect is the increase in the temperature of the earth due to the increase of green house gases, which trap the heat from the sun and lead to warming up of the earth’s surface.

How are these gases formed and who is responsible? The gases are a direct result of the burning of fossil fuels and other combustible matter. The release thereby of the poisonous CO2 leads to the fearful situation that was mentioned above. Humans are involved in this activity of putting an unfair amount of burden upon mother earth.

The motor bikes, scooters and cars we ride and drive emit gases into the atmosphere that pollute the air we breathe. Public transport systems which include buses, trains and aeroplanes also emit poisonous gases, the only difference being that the ratio of people transported and the emissions are much more positive than smaller transport.

Clubbed with this, we use appliances which run on electricity and emit green house gases and lead to the pollution of the environment. We could ask ourselves the question, “What can we do?” “We have to live and therefore we cannot stop using any of the things we are using now.”

Before we close the argument on this it is worth while to look at some of the things we could suggest in tackling this problem.

1. Create and maintain a green cover of forests both within and without city limits. Cutting of trees, if done should be done so in a sustainable fashion.
2. Apart from parks, and other sources of green cover, cities, towns and villages should be brought under a scheme whereby planned planting of trees is undertaken.
3. Educate children and adults alike about the need for being concerned about one’s environment. Reward those who are involved in programmes to save the environment.
4. Make friendship groups in living spaces and work places, whereby resources are shared. Car sharing and eating together can be tried out which will lead to saving fuel and money. This will also be an initiative which helps in bringing about a community feeling once again instead of an individual consumerist culture.
5. Using our bodies as modes of transport. Walk and cycle more. This helps to keep ourselves in shape and also cuts heavily on fuel.
6. Trying to be creative with the way we use our resources and make our purchases. Think before we purchase something, be it a bulb, an appliance. Think whether it is of use to us, how long we will use it and how much energy it will use.
7. Do not force others to do this but try to be a silent example oneself.
8. Adopt trees and take care of them. If you don’t have the time to plant a sapling, try helping someone you know will do so.
9. Show solidarity with people who fight to bring down global warming.
10. Spare a minute for our children and what world they are going to live in. Think about what we got and what they are going to have.