Beauty and the Biodiversity
Happy International Biodiversity Day!
No, you don't have to be a tree-hugger, environmental activist or policy nerd to celebrate this day. Biodiversity is simply, all the life that's on the planet, ranging from bugs to plants to fishes to microscopic beings to us humans. A mind-boggling realisation is that the environment is not external to us; we are part of it.
I think all activism stems not from a place of fear and anger and blaming and shaming, but a place of love: a love for the planet, for the living things in it, for the beautiful things in it, for the invisible or less beautiful things in it. Whether you're religious and wish to see it as God's creation, or secular with an excitement for the process of evolution, there are multiple ways in which one can feel wonder, amazement and gratitude for the planet we call home.
I'm not going to list the frightening statistics about the loss of biodiversity which is happening at an alarming rate. Today, the very least you can do is take a moment to reflect on just how amazing the world around us is, and how lucky we are. Just connect with it, and the desire to protect it will come (or maybe it won't, but that's still ok.)
Think of the sense of calm you feel when you find yourself in a lush green environment.
Or the excitement of days at the seaside when you spot a darting fish or chilled out crab.
When you see how life thrives even in rugged places.
Or the sense of superiority that you acquire when you discover that a plant has a functionality which you can show off on your next outing in nature.
If all else fails, there are penguins.
Or watch some David Attenborough.
Or Finding Nemo.
