The Movement

           Recently, I was asked to do discussion with my senior from different major. The topic was about a documentary movie called "Diam dan Dengarkan". You can stream it on Youtube and Vimeo. To make it short, the documentary told 6 different stories. But, it focuses on how environment react in this pandemic time. The narrations gave me a moment of reflection on what I'm doing, did, and will do. It made me feel guilty for Mother Nature because I owe her so much.

         For quite some time, I realized that being an agriculture student is like double edges sword. We are needed as the source of food, but at the same time our activities leads to natural destruction. We can’t deny that the demand of agriculture goods needs extensive land use. As we may know, palm oil and cow husbandry, are the leading factors for forest destruction. Yet, I, as an agricultural economy student, see this as an opportunity. The imagination of getting profit and stable job are the good things for occupation. But, if I recall all the destruction it might happened because of the extensive land use, I am faced with temptation. Should I be an “idealistic environmentalist” while the prospect of having good amount of money is waiting for me? Well, as an agriculture student, I should see this chance to change how people perceive agriculture. It should be perceived into nature-friendly resource of food,not the opposite.

            In my opinion, all those destruction happen because we are too greedy. It is said that it is our instinct for wanting more. However, we have to know when we should stop. We are given with this ability to think. Then, try to think our capacity! Tell ourselves when we should stop! Try to remind ourselves that we’re not the one who can take from the nature. There are animals, plants, and other living organisms whom need nature as their habitat and food resources. I understand that we can’t just give in easily for what we consume, like plastics or beefs. Therefore, we can reduce the amount of it. I can’t suddenly be a vegetarian or vegan in two days. I’m not expecting myself to be a Greta Thurnberg who stop using airplanes due to carbon footprint. I’m expecting myself to be a better person. To know my limit. That’s why I disagree with all the “Mukbang” contents. Yes, they may finish all the food but they go beyond their limit. We don’t get to see how many people trying to do that and end up not finish it? How many foods are wasted? Also, don’t forget about how much effort farmers put to produce those foods? I always get lingered with the sense of guilt after I can’t finish my food. That’s why I try to finish everything I eat and even my family unfinished foods.

            Also, growing up we are taught about nature. In kindergarten we were taught about animal by seeing the real animal at zoo, for instance. As we entered higher education, we focused on specific subjects. Biology is the closest subject to nature. Unfortunately, we learn the nature just by looking at the text book. Read and memorize. Read and memorize are not something bad, though. From that, we know theories that actually based on nature. What we forget is we are not learning from nature itself. My senior high school was an Adiwiyata School. It is a title for “green school” or school that aware of environment. However, the students are not taught about the real nature. Everything seems fake. All those garden, green houses, plants, ponds, and “nature things” in my school were man-made. We didn’t get a chance to learn nature from forests, coastal areas, rivers, or mountains. We are just told on what to do. I don’t even think the juries are well-aware about environmental issues. To make it simpler, it was all bullshit.

            The participation to save the earth and environment must be supported by a lot people. Those people in power and fame have the ability to persuade community to start changing. We are calling those Politicians, Youtubers, Selebgrams, and many more. They can play biggest part for the movement. Mr. Beast has started it all with 20 million trees planting. Now, we are calling for other influencers. It shouldn’t be something big, but start with raising awareness is what we need now. I believe those influencers have the power to do it.

            Meanwhile, I also self-conscious about what I did, am doing, and will do are far from perfection. What I said sounds like self-pretending. I do have temptation and fear to face the future. Am I doing everything, right? Can I save the world from destruction? Is my participation matters? I’m trying with small steps now. I’m trying to change my mindset and action on what I’m doing. I start to think the side effect of what I’m doing. I just don’t want the end of the world coming so quickly. That’s why, I dare myself to change. But, It won't matter when I'm doing it alone. So, I dare you to change together for the better future.Because in togetherness, it is easier.