The International Earth Day was initiated in 1970 with the aim of promoting knowledge of ecology and raising mass awareness on the growing concerns for air, soil and water pollution. Earth day 2021 is observed with the theme of "Restore our Earth". Contrary to a popular narrative the global pandemic is not really helping the environment. Images of clear water-ways and skies that flooded social media during lockdowns don't paint anything close to the real picture. We are still were we are before. accelerating towards a global climate crisis.

Tackling climate change, restoring biodiversity and helping the earth heal are responsibilities that should majorly lie on the shoulders of the large corporations and governments who directly contribute to the sheer carnage on our planet, but here are some things we can do as individuals even in the midst of the pandemic.

BUY LESS

It is as straight as it can be. Consuming less reduces your impact on the environment. Let it be food. Let it be clothes. Let it be any other product. They were all produced by exploiting resources. Our over-consumption of resources is a leading contributor to climate change.

EAT SUSTAINABLE

Food production is a massive factor in wildlife loss, and animal agriculture remains the major culprit. Forests are cleared and oceans made barren for our food. There are ways we can help. Eat more of plant-based foods. Purchase locally. Or grown your own if you can.

DISPOSE RESPONSIBLY

Irresponsible waste disposal has a huge negative impact on the environment at each level. We can do our part by composting, reusing what can be reused, recycling plastics, segregating and giving away electronic wastes etc

RESEARCH MORE

The more you know about the climate crisis the better. It is essential to know how your choices affect the environment to do something about it. Browse the internet. Keep yourself updated. Pass on your knowledge.

-Kiran Palathingal

(originally written and published on Instagram @therecusant_ for International Earth Day 2021)

Write a comment ...

Kiran Palathingal

Show your support

I write about socio-political issues, religion and cinema. Do consider supporting if you find my work of interest

International Workers Day

International workers’ day is celebrated to acknowledge the efforts of workers across the globe and raise awareness about the exploitation of labourers. It falls on the first of May every year to commemorate the Chicago Haymarket massacre in 1866 when a massive general strike for an eight-hour work day was met with brute force by the police resulting in several deaths and executions. Workers’ rights have significantly strengthened in many countries since the observance of International workers’ day began in the 19th century. Local and international movements that raged across the world in the 20th century improved working hours, wages and rights of labourers in several sectors in comparison to the absurdly exploitive working conditions that prevailed in the last couple of centuries.However, a large section of the working class continues to be exploited and overworked for nominal pay by big corporations as they seek larger and larger profits. Workers are overworked, underpaid and restricted from forming unions by several big brands that we come across everyday like Amazon, Faceboòk and the Elon Musk-owned Tesla. Governments continue to pass resolutions that benefit corporates and push labourers into misery. Several MNCs and IT firms have used the pandemic-induced norm of work-at-home as an excuse to blur the lines between working and non-working hours. Migrant labourers are left stranded as governments announce lockdowns without warning. The unorganized sector sees the worst cases of exploitation as child labour, forced labour, and inhumane working conditions still exist across the world and in India. The exploitation of labourers in the garment sector remains a global issue as popular fashion retailers utilize the labour of severely underpaid workers who are uneducated and helpless. The fight for workers' rights is far from over, and let neither a politician nor a corporate-owner fool you into believing otherwise!

Jana Gana Mana Movie- Spoiler Free Review

SPOILER FREE Review- Jana Gana Mana: An uneven and chaotic film that asks relevant questions.Jana Gana Mana has multiple narrators, multiple protagonists and throws light on multiple social and political issues of the past and present in a largely incoherent drama that could have been a lot better. Yet the very nature of the themes that are fearlessly touched on makes the movie a relevant and engaging watch.Written by Sharis Mohammed and directed by Dijo Jose Antony, the movie revolves around a series of events following the rape and murder of a University professor. Apart from its central theme which is best not revealed to preserve the unpredictability of the movie, several scenes and dialogues are sharp references to recent events from across the country. Demonetization, police brutality on college campuses, politicians inciting riots etc are fresh in the memory of any Indian who keeps an eye on what is happening around. The film also portrays caste discrimination in universities albeit through saviorist lens with people from marginalized communities reduced to victims for the titular character to make their speeches about. However the very fact these issues were given space from an industry that almost never critically portrays casteism in a mainstream film is important to note.Excellent acting performances from Prithiviraj Sukumaran and Suraj Venjaramoodu makes up for an average screenplay. Mamta Mohandas,Shammi Thilakan and Vincy Aloshious put up note-worthy performances. The cinematography was very effective at showing the scale of student protests( which occurs several times throughout the storyline) and was decent otherwise. Jakes Bejoy’s invigorating music which felt excessive and jarring at times also did its job at crucial junctures so much that it is still ringing in my ears.To sum up, Jana Gana Mana is a film that is pertinent to the times we live in, is truly pan-Indian in the nature of the politics it speaks and worth watching even with all its flaws.

The Great Indian Kitchen- A review

The Great Indian kitchen is a remarkable film that made a stir after it hit streaming platforms a couple of months ago. This low budget Malayalam movie is a scathing critique of patriarchy and the institution of marriage in an Indian context. The central characters of a newly wife and husband are brilliantly portrayed by Nimisha Sajayan and Suraj Venjaramoodu as director Jeo Baby presents a powerful work of art that makes us squirm and boil.

Ambedkar Revisited (originally written and published in 2021)

As we observe 130 years of the birth of Doctor Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, his legacy continues to be undermined, appropriated and narrowed down by Indians to suit their conveniences and agendas. Well known as the chief architect of the Indian constitution, Ambedkar’s contributions far surpasses his reputation as a constitution writer and a Dalit leader. The major sphere of Ambedkar’s views and contributions are neglected and this has left the average Indian lacking in his understanding of the depth and range of Ambedkar’s legacy. But is this neglect deliberate?

Pada: a gripping and powerful piece of cinema

“We want things to change here. The British who ruled this land once framed several laws. And each one of those laws alienated the adivasis. The governments supported encroachment on forests and looting of forest resources. They have been oppressing adivasis for ages. Our children, women and ailing elders raised their slogans and sang their songs. In the end they seized our lands and left us their songs.”

Indian Christians facing persecution

An Easter morning service in Rangvasa village, Madhya Pradesh was violently attacked by a group of fifty Hindutva vigilantes last year. The priest and his wife were taken into custody and accused of forced conversion. This was one among the countless incidents of violence against Indian Christians in 2021 alone reported by Christian rights bodies. According to a report by the United Christian Forum 486 attacks on Christians were recorded in 2021 which is a 75 percent rise from 279 in 2020. However the rise in frequency of anti-Christian violence in India can be traced back to the 80s.

International Earth Day(2021)

Kiran Palathingal

Kiran Palathingal

I write about socio-political issues, religion and cinema

10 Followers

4 Following

International Workers Day

Kiran Palathingal

Jana Gana Mana Movie- Spoiler Free Review

Kiran Palathingal

The Great Indian Kitchen- A review

Kiran Palathingal

Ambedkar Revisited (originally written and published in 2021)

Kiran Palathingal

Pada: a gripping and powerful piece of cinema

Kiran Palathingal

Indian Christians facing persecution

Kiran Palathingal