The earth’s fragility is well known by now. Thus, there has been an increase in countries attempting to implement policies to help combat climate change. For example, the infamous Paris Agreement has made an effort to set ambitious but necessary goals to help combat environmental issues, more specifically for climate change. The environment has not only impacted the way global politics now operates, but it’s influenced our everyday habits.
Metal straws, compostable dinnerware, reusable water bottles. Products like these made an appearance in common western shopping stores. Major store chains are able to take advantage of the world’s environmental crisis, but can you blame them? What we are failing to realize is that the environmentally friendly habits newly exhibited in the West and European areas have actually been habitude for many cultures for hundreds of years. That is what I wanted to focus on in this article and why India and North American Indigenous groups are just some of the cultures I consider “OG environmentalists.”
India
Although India may not currently be in the best shape, it’s undeniable that sustainability was constantly rendered. Banana leaves as plates, bucket baths, hand, hand drying dishes, bidets, and sun dried-clothing are just some common practices that widely exhibit this. Other behavioral habits such as in-tolerance of wastefulness (something kids living in Indian households are definitely familiar with) also make sustainability commonplace. Many of these habits have become apparent during the pandemic and continue to hold their influence even now. When we compare these old, some even ancient, practices to the Western world up until a few hundred years ago, it is clear why I think Indians were “OG environmentalists”.
Evidently though, India has accounted for about 6.3% of the world’s global emissions (though, mostly from the wealthy class), so it would be false to claim that they are, like they once were, the model country for environmentalism. But, we can still observe their habits (like the ones listed before) and apply them to our daily Western, often materialistic, lives in a respectful manner to gradually combat environmental catastrophes.
Indigenous Groups
Next, I want to discuss Indigenous cultures in North America such as the Metis, Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and others. They are the most quintessential example of ideal sustainability. One common principle held by all these groups is called the Seven Generations Principle. It means that, “the decisions we make today should result in a sustainable world seven generations into the future.(footnote)”. One of the most recurring points I have seen politicians and world renowned environmental activists make is that we should care for future generations and worry about the livelihoods of our children. Sounds familiar right?
Another belief is to take only what is necessary, or in other words, reducing. Many western philosophies we have about the environment clearly aren’t so new, as they have been practiced by Indigenous groups for centuries. Unlike the colonizers who destroyed the culture and livelihood of countless Indigenous peoples, we need to appreciate how delicately the Indigenous have treated the land we stand on and apply those habits to our daily lives.
Overall, we need to take a deeper look into other cultures and observe the functional practices. Without collaboration and open-mindedness, we’ll see little to no improvement. And right now, the environment isn’t being lenient with our options.
I hope you all enjoy the last few weeks of summer break! Bye for now!