Go Greener – World Environment Day 6 June

Go Greener – World Environment Day 6 June

What does an affinity for nature mean to you? Is it having grown accustomed to the rhythm of the seasons, of floods and fires and drought, being able to detect woodsmoke on the barest breeze, and sense the damp air holding its breath minutes before the first peal of thunder? Is it lying in a tree so long that your back has memorised the ridges of the branch, you can feel the wood beating with your own pulse? Or is it watching a wounded animal tipping over into life that has seen a pair of eyes stare back at them, wide and dark, and some part of them has thought, are we so different?

These are all an affinity to nature. It comes with the recognition of our dependence on the natural world, a dependence which is far too easy to forget when our lives don’t revolve around the cycle of harvest and hunts and hibernation. And it’s been a while since the earth of our country cracked open like the carapace of a dead beetle. It’s been some time since the sun turned red above Sydney, and the air hung thick with fine grey ash. But I think all of us remember what it was like. Even if we wish it could be forgotten.

Only One Earth. That’s the theme for World Environment Day this year. We don’t just depend on the natural world. We belong to it. We belong to an ancient force of life, and we’re tipping it out of balance, just enough for humanity to slide off. The world will recover no matter what we do. But our civilisation may not. Because we only have one earth. One shot at getting this right. One critical decade left. One generation who’s standing ready to shoulder the burden. That generation is us. That decade is here. That earth is our home.

There are a number of activities planned at school:

  • Friday June 3: #OnlyOneEarth banner competition entries due to Eve Anderson eveanderson@sceggs.nsw.edu.au
  • Monday June 6: Bring your keep cup and a donation for hot chocolate and marshmallows. Primary will have their hot chocolate at recess near the art room. Secondary will be on the lawn at lunchtime.
  • Thursday June 9: Secondary only. Banner painting, second hand uniform sale (all items $5 and EFTPOS available) and collection of lost property.

 

Nicola Allen
Maailma Captain