Nature never deceives us. It is always us who deceives ourselves.

Jean-Jacques Roasseau

GREEN

The world used to be so beautiful. Trees growing everywhere to color the earth a

lavish paint of fresh, luminous green. Clean water from flowing streams that satisfies

thirst as well as one’s serenity that is found within its crystal body. Bountiful land that

bears vibrant fruits and crops. Unending rows of fields as well as striking abysmal

depths of ocean blues where animals of all shapes and sizes can soar freely to

asseverate and conquer freedom. The world was full of life. The world provided

everything that was needed without charging a price. However, these all came to an

end because of one party, and how ironically rich this party came to be. It’s all because

of humankind, the supposed caretakers of mother nature. Today, what used to be an

envelope of warm green has turned into a muddy state of barren lands. What’s

supposed to provide hydration and purified nourishment, is now serving diseases,

illnesses, and harmful ailments to those that drink it. Animals are now restricted, even

locked up and abused for the selfishness of men. We are the problem. We are the ones

who destroyed the peace and beauty that mother nature works so hard to maintain. And

the solution to it all? It’s also the destroyer, humans. The key? Sustainability.

Whenever we encounter the term sustainability, one of the most prevalent

misconceptions we tend to incorporate is how it is merely a mission that is solely for

businesses. There is no doubt the business industry takes up a predominant influence

towards climate change due to manufacturing day-to-day utilities, however, that doesn’t

mean they’re not the only ones who are accountable to take vital actions to promote

sustainability. This is the first deception that we, as society, have subscribed to; not

taking responsibility when the consequences didn’t derive from our own actions. A false

and harrowing claim to take a stand in, but also a terribly ignorant convenience. Let’s

take India’s mindset for example as reported by Hazra (2015), “India is dirty because

Indians are so clean”. This suggests a culture where people keep their personal space

tidy whereas the rest will take care of itself. Although decisions and actions are

performed individually, it will always have an impact on everyone collectively. We live in

one environment. What goes around comes back around, hence it is significantly

important to be mindful of other people’s waste. Sustainability is all about fulfilling the

needs of the present without sacrificing those of the future generations, and we cannot

care for them if we don’t take heed of the current generation’s behavior.

Next, the triple bottom line approach. This includes three P’s that are constant as

well as determinants of operating the globe: People, Profit, and Planet. The triple

bottom line theory emphasizes that businesses should prioritize concerns regarding

society and the environment just as much, if not, more than their monetary objectives.

Again, as aforementioned above, this shouldn’t be implemented by businesses or large

corporations alone. We are able to execute this action on our own at present as well.

However, it must be emphasized that the triple bottom line shouldn’t prioritize

environmental concerns over profit. There must be a balance or an interwoven between

the three P’s. Research has proven that valuing sustainability, ethics, and commercial
integrity can improve organizational performance instead of detracting from it, the same

applies vice versa. Without the success of the other, the latter won’t flourish. Much in

the sense how People won’t flourish without Profit, and in the absence of profit, there

ensues poverty. People in poverty frequently applies more strain on the environment,

which leads to the growth of larger families, unsanitary living situations, growing

demand on vulnerable land to accommodate needs and overexploitation of natural

resources. Poverty brings burden to the Planet and, as a result, this causes People to

suffer greatly. There is a cycle of functions here, and society need to fully understand

each one in order to avoid complications towards the environment and one’s well-being.

Thus, as members of People, we must work diligently so as to prevent poverty in order

to fend off environmental issues.

Humanity is being reproached by climate change from a fatal aspect, angle of the

gradual burn. Ploddingness turns to uncertainty which in return turns to myth, and this

leads to many to become blindsided to deception. Over the last fifty years— a mere blip

in over two million-year history of our existence —we have witnessed an exponential

increase in the unsustainable and wasteful usage of natural resources. The way we

currently produce, consume, and power our lifestyles overload forests, oceans, and

weather systems, causing irreversible harm. Our planet is on the brink of ending and it’s

never too late to save it. The world needs responsible, responsive leadership that is

sincerely committed to equitable growth and inclusive development now more than

ever. A poisoned planet is not where we will create a stable, affluent, and just future for

humankind. Small changes can lead to bigger ones, it all just starts with you. Force

yourself to see the consequences of your and others inaction. Don’t avoid the pain of
fixing confliction in exchange for suffering its inevitable ramifications. Don’t wait for the

world to abruptly crumble into a withering seed right in front of your eyes just to be

convinced and persuaded to act. Fear ought not to be the reason for execution. It ought

to be a profound respect, love, and gratitude for our planet. It's time to return the favors

mother earth has shown us by saving her breath, just as much as she has saved ours.

Restore her beauty and make it greater for the delights by those who are privileged

enough to reside in her affluent tera firmas and moanas. God has endowed us with an

idyllic setting in which to live in. Everything we need to survive is a gift from nature that

we should not destroy or tamper with. So wake up.

Wake up before green becomes gray.