Cause for Change

In a much publicized event, the Maldives cabinet recently took to the seas to mark the 350 International Day of Climate Change Action on 24 October, and show their concern for global warming and rising sea levels. If the estimations are accurate, the 1,192 islands which form the lowest lying nation on earth could be underwater within the next century. The Maldives cabinet members signed a document calling on a global cut in carbon emissions to be presented at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December. Read more here and here, and there are some fantastic pictures here.

If the world proceeds as it has, 350, 000 people could be out of homeland in a hundred years. That’s a startling figure and may just be the beginning [of the end].

*Dramatic pause*

As Maldivians watch their homeland disappear under water, we as Sri Lankans should realize that we are not far behind. Maybe not in terms of land loss, but other factors, like agriculture, coastal degradation, disease, sanitation and rainfall are all susceptible to change with global warming.

The take home message for us here at Project Act is this: Action. Awareness. Adaptation.

As a country with a small carbon footprint and relatively environmentally-friendly lifestyles, Sri Lanka needs to focus on adaptation more than mitigation. Because, as with all great ironies, the small countries with low carbon emissions and the least clout towards climate change are the ones that will get hit hardest and suffer the most. Which is why we’ve planned our 350 action event around a problem that is most pertinent to us, and will help us best deal with the sanitation and disease issues that will undoubtedly worsen with time (and temperature!).

Waste Management. On the 24th of October, our team, along with volunteers from the Interact and Roteract movements, Sri Lanka Youth Climate Action Network, the International Climate Champions and other interested parties (that’s you!), will meet at the Wellawatte beach to get some serious cleaning done. It won’t be just another beach clean up either, as we will be showing you how to separate your waste into what can and cannot be recycled, so you can take that with you and apply it at home, at school, and wherever there is a significant amount of waste produced. There will also be a downright snazzy eco-demonstration, where you will be given license to make a bit of a commotion over all things green. So come prepared with your hats, water and assorted sun-defense tools, and prepare to make a difference!

Read more here.

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