350 in Colombo

Let me begin by saying that October 24, fondly known to us BB-ites as World Action Day, or towards the end just The Day, was a great success. We had a great turn out, much more than we had anticipated or even hoped for, and everyone (I hope) had fun. We sure did. And our message came across loud and clear, and is up on the 350.org site to prove it!

We started off bright and early, and by bright and early I mean the crack of dawn, and gathered at the Wellawatte beach by 7am; quite a sight in our fancypants Go Green shirts! Tents were set up, plants were set up, bins were set up.. basically a lot of setting up, and by 7.30 we were ready, pens and folders neatly lined up, for the registration to begin.

The crowds began to come in around 7.45am; Interacters, Roteracters, HSBCers, individual volunteers and beach boys all lined up, and I use the term ‘line’ very loosely, for their gloves and bags to begin the clean up. For us at BB, one of the most important things about this clean up was that it should have some significance, some long term impact toward the environment. This is why we went to great lengths to ensure that it was not just a bunch of people haphazardly picking up trash but that the waste would be properly separated on-site, and handed over to the CMC to be recycled accordingly. So as the participants began their registration, we briefed them on the how-tos of a proper beach clean up, emphasizing on the importance of separating the degradeables from the non-degradebles, the need to pay special attention to the vegetation, and to avoid hazards like needles and drugs.

The clean up was well under way, with the clean up crew bringing in the garbage and our super efficient separation crew sorting it into paper, plastic, glass and miscellaneous, when the 350 event began. Special guests included Hon. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Champika Ranawaka, the Director of British Council Gill Westaway, the Director of Press and Cultural Affairs, Embassy of the United States Jeff Anderson, Omar Kamil, Special Commssioner CMC, Justice CG Weeramanthri, Roshan Gunawardena from the CEA and Anjali Watson from the Environment Programme CHA.

After a round of ice breakers, introductions to Beyond Borders, Project Act and 350, the signing of the pledge “I pledge to ACT wherever, whenever and do whatever to help Srilanka GO GREEN”, the demonstration crew left with their placards and banners to create a stir on the main road. More on that when I manage to bribe a demonstrator in to writing about what happened on the streets.

Back on the beach, the separation crew was diligently carrying out their job. Some findings: needles, of the druggie variety, clothes, bags, and shoes.. shoes by the hundreds. If anyone needs shoes, you now know where to go. A very big thanks out to those who stuck around sorting that stuff. It definitely wasn’t the most pleasant of tasks, but they did it with a right good will, and carried out one of the most important jobs of the day. Also, a big thanks out to the CMC crew who hung around til the very end, helping us haul the waste back and forth.

The highlight of the event was the forming of the 350 to be uploaded onto the 350.org site. Take it from us, forcing 200 odd people into giant numbers isn’t a dream job; a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into that 350, but the deed was done, and with Nooranie perched precariously on a ladder, while the Project Act crew held on to it for dear life, the picture was taken. Then we decided to get fancy and forced Hasmin up on the ladder to video tape everyone yelling ‘go green now’, while Halik pranced along the beach orchestrating the madness.

The event wrapped up with almost everyone getting drenched one way or another (some not quite voluntarily). Group pictures were taken (await!), trees were handed out, the pledge was signed and good byes were said as everyone headed home after a job well done.

Now we come to the part where I thank everyone. Thank you everyone who came out to be a part of this event and show your support for positive environmental change in Sri Lanka, and hopefully, Copenhagen. Special thanks to the crew from HSBC, and all the Interactors and Roteractors who made up the bulk of our cleaning crew: you guys did an impressive job! Thank you to Naren and Anjali from the Environment Programme at CHA for your help in planning the event and all the technical support. Thank you to the work crews and the CMC team for all their help. And finally a big thank you to the Project Act committee for putting together this event on such short notice and making it such a success, especially Shehan, who worked absolutely tirelessly to make sure everything ran seamlessly, and Hanim, media goddess, for all the last minute creative work behind the scenes.

A rather long post, I know, but it was an event worth documenting. Stay tuned to this space for pictures from the event and thoughts by the participants and Project Act committee.

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