By Akhileshvari Dasi:
"My cousin's daughter is a leader in the climate change movement in Australia. In July i met her and spoke to my cousin Lisa and her husband, Jean's parents. I know from first hand experience and questioning that these kids are completely doing this themselves. There is no one pushing them or backing them. They are simply aware of the scientists' understanding of the way things are going and they are doing everything in their power to stop disaster from happening.
These young people are caring, humble, organized and vocal. I love that this is happening.
As devotees, can't we support them? Imagine if we turned up at climate change strike actions with huge buckets of vegan prasadam and sensible leaflets about how Krishna consciousness provides many solutions to this crisis. Through the cessation of animal slaughter. Promotion of simple living. A means to let go of greed and lust and illusion. A way to honour and respect the earth as a living being.
It began as a single girl protesting to her country's government. It grew quickly into a world wide youth movement and now adults are also striking together with the youth.
The time is right to step on the world stage alongside these people who genuinely care for Mother Bhumi.
But if we allow ourselves to criticise, to argue and to become overwhelmed with fear or hate, the opportunity will be lost.
Who will go? Who will go?
It is so easy to get caught up in politics and become misguided by propaganda. And miss such a great opportunity. These kids need our support, not our criticism. I've always thought, when I hear arguments that climate change is not real, that whether it is or not, surely trying to stop pollution and mining and and non renewable power sources and replacing them with methods that are gentler on the earth is a good thing!.!!!??? Why wouldn't we support that?
And when I hear that this movement is trying to divert people's attention from the real issues, i think, okay so if you are passionate about some other issues, great! Start a movement to bring awareness to those issues as well. And maybe even collaborate.
I really don't get why devotees can be so against people doing whatever they can to help Mother Bhumi."
Link:
Link:
