Stories from the community

Nature is the only truth we can experience. It the imperfection that heals our egos and tells us that we are part of it, we can be imperfect and amazing at the same time.

Hackberry Tree first production line was hand-painted cards distributed as an in-kind donation to supports environmental and social global causes. The Black Iris collection consisted of 60 cards each card presents a minute of the 60 minutes we cut off lights and energy uses in support of Earth every 28th March.

The cards got sold in Wild Jordan Café. It was the first experience that had very kind support from all eco-friendly products fans. The Royal Society Conservation of Nature and World Wildlife Fund were super supportive. We used the three logos to raise awareness of three causes at once:

The earth hour event and WWF global efforts in saving nature

The Royal Society efforts at the local and regional levels

The need for more eco-products to replace commercial products and support local and international craftsmen

Years passed, I want to give a VERY BIG thank you to everyone who supported "Hackberry Tree" initiative we had many eco-products after this one, and more to come. Nature is our source of inspiration and wellbeing.

Nature is our home, the key to our survival and ours to protect!!

When you know what’s happening in the planet you can’t ignore it. This is what Sara thought seeing how plastic pollution is destroying entire ecosystems. She describes it as a heartbreaking situation and a point of no return. A few years ago she decided to transform her lifestyle. Then she realised there’s a lot she was able do from home such cooking with her mother with local ingredients, bringing her reusable bottle everywhere so won’t need to buy one, saying No to all single-use plastics such as cigarettes, cutlery and coffee cups, getting bar shampoo and conditioner. And of course, she said, using a menstrual cup which is a real revolution for women.

Esteban Álvarez and Jorge Arteta are the two Colombian students who demonstrated to the country that young people do care about biodiversity and want to act to conserve it. In November of 2019 they received the first place in the global biodiversity contest Wild Widsom Quiz in New Delhi, India, and since then they have led environmental initiatives from their schools to encourage more young people to act for nature

Daniel Meléndez is a young Mexican who decided to come to Colombia to carry out clime actions through We4ThePlanet, the volunteer initiative for climate change that is developed between AIESEC and WWF-Colombia. For 6 weeks, Daniel conducts workshops with children and youth and supports the construction of a community nursery that has the purpose of reforesting the Morro de Moravia in the city of Medellín.

Nature is what sustains us as we are ,even when we arrogantly and obliviously chose to not acknowledge this fact.

Nature has the power to nurture and the power destroy ,as is evident from the latest pandemic ,of how nature is capable of bringing the entire human race to its knees ,overnight !!

Nature has immense potential to bounce back ,whereas we as a race are rather fragile and will perish if we don't give nature the respect it deserves.

Nature is the only source that can make earth a better place.If people keep pollution,our hope-- the earth will be gone.I like to play around the beach,playground and attend marathon.I love visiting and hiking.I still remember we went to the Bewah and Taat Cave.It is amazing.inside the cave is dark.There are stalagmites and statutes..Lots of batngd on top of the cave.We saw a nature diamond rock (stalagmites) shaped like a lion.I was so excited.

I love nature.I meand lots to me.

Nature is me. I am part of Nature. We are all nature and part of the global ecosystem. We must act now. Not to save the planet. Planet doesn't need man. Life will continue with or without human beings. We can destroy the global ecosystem and biodiversity as we know it. We will die with it. But life will continue to evolve and thrive. So, we must act now to save ourselves. To save life of humans on the planet. I'm sad when I see hoe blind humans are. We believe we can manage nature. We believe we are upon it. And not part of it. What a big mistake. As human being and living beings we have the moral obligation to act, jump to action and work to restore nature, regenerate biodiversity and preserve what is left. So, when we will die, we will be able to watch our sons into the eyes and tell them: "I was part of the solutions, not of the causes of doom. I worked hard to leave you a planet where you can thrive and live. I worked hard to be worthy to be call a human being". Obviously the problems are enormous. But if each one of us just pledge to take care of a small piece of land, we can, we are able to heal the planet. I do practice permaculture. Since 2005 I work in the Peruvian cloud forest. Here I founded a small non profit org. THE SEVEN ELEMENTS and we teach and promote permaculture as a way to regenerate land and achieve human security. My work affects just a small, very tiny part of the earth. But I'm part of huge, growing army. I'm positive. I know that everywhere millions of people like me are getting in action, practicing permaculture and restoring the land. This is my suggestion. Start following the mainstream. Start producing your own food. At least some small pot on your terrace. Start reducing your footprint on earth. Find a piece of land. Get in love with it. Start restoring the landscape. It doesn't matter how big this piece of land is. Remember, millions of people like you are doing the same. And don't get discouraged if you watch tv and it seems that the world is going to end and capitalism ruling the planet. Nothing is forever. All human things are going to die soon or late. So, capitalism and consumerism, this inequitable, unsustainable society based on comsuption of fossil fuel derived stuff will end. Who today is on command, tomorrow will be just a dinosaur. I prefer to be the front line of a new generation and paradigm than the last of the dinosaurs. We gonna win this fight. And heal the planet.

Nature is a testament to the Awesomeness of my Creator. Who sent his only Son to die on the Cross so that we may all be saved. I fast and keep a vegan diet to maintain a solid Temple for the Holy Spirit and I see how nature is blessed with the Spirit which makes me feel transcendent.

2. Everything started when María Fernanda read an article that said the first toothbrush we use in our lives is still on the planet. And it will still be here when we die. Since then, she’s been involved in many different environmental causes, such as helping other people understand the impact of their actions. She uses social media to show how together, we have a great power. She plants trees, cleans beaches, informs about protected areas and most important, she changed her life to reduce her footprint, because as she says, “we don't need to wait for the future to change what we don’t like".

A few years ago, Yeison decided to reduce his consumption to a minimal point. He tells with pride that he hasn’t bought a plastic bottle in two years and he’s been doing compost in the small urban place he calls home. He teaches others to take responsibility for their waste and recycle as much as possible. There are plenty of options. His best choice is to collect plastic waste in a bottle and take it to a foundation where they build houses for people living in economical poverty. He says we all have the opportunity to help other live in harmony with nature.

Esteban Álvarez and Jorge Arteta are the two Colombian students who demonstrated to the country that young people do care about biodiversity and want to act to conserve it. In November of 2019 they received the first place in the global biodiversity contest Wild Widsom Quiz in New Delhi, India, and since then they have led environmental initiatives from their schools to encourage more young people to act for nature

The forest has been my greatest teacher. I spend time with her, listening to her, understanding her, and learning from her ❤.

That is why today, I'm co-creating Deciduous tree with her, crying for her destruction, recognizing her rights, and fighting for her life!

I focus on nurturing young environmental enthusiasts through greening schools, environmental education, addressing food insecurity by planting fruit trees and establishing food forests, as well as inculcating a tree growing culture for forest cover increment through adopting a tree campaign through Green Generation Initiative.

I came across a picture of a twig which spelt my name in Arabic. The picture was an affirmation that we are part of nature. I am a journalist and a news anchor one of the most fulfilling tasks is telling stories about mother nature and how people are sustainably benefiting from natural resources. Nature is a source of food, medicine and shelter. Nature provides clean water, the clean air we breathe and healthy soils. Nature inspires us. The best way to pay back is to inspire others and take action to protect it. They say if nature isn't kept healthy we will not survive. Ali Manzu

Nature produces life and life means above anything else to humans. Protecting and preserving the environment has been one of my greatest dreams since 2019 after I watched documentaries and reviews how people's actions destroy the Earth. Currently, as a Fine Arts student, as a woman, I have a lot of things that I should always keep in mind. These concepts include minimalism and zero-waste lifestyle. These have been definitely didficult for me to adjust since I lived almost 18 years of my life in single-use plastics and other activities that absolutely contributed to the pollution. I was not really fond of maximizing resources and I was always in the stage of "wants" for new things. However, I finally decided to make changes to how I live, I finally committed to be responsible of everything I consume step by step. Particularly, I learned to bring my own water tumbler, food storage and reusable bags in order to refuse single-use plastics. I learned to walk and experience the nature rather than getting into a vehicle. I also decided to have my washable menstrual pad, refillables containers for personal hygienes and I now buy to eco-friendly stores. In buying my art materials, I always check the packaging and decide if it will be worthy. It is also a good thing that I get to encourage my family and friends to do the same as I have done. This also reflects to arts that I made so that people will be much aware of the environmental crisis.

I believe, as we minimize our carbon footprint even as baby steps as I already do, if accummulated, these steps will be the carrier of change for every living things on Earth.

Its our valuable assets that can nurture us,Provides us, protect us, shelter us and heal us

Finding the right key to your song is one of the most important aspects of music. The same applies to many aspects of life. The key to success in any intervention is action because commitment alone will not bring change, for example, to increase Kenya's forest cover to 10% we have to plant and grow the trees. What’s in your hand? use it. My name is Nikita Kering. I am a Singer and Songwriter from Kenya. I use my music to influence and Inspire change. Happy Earth Hour 2020

Lo mas hermoso del mundo, los animales, las plantas, los oceanos, me encantaría vivir en una cabaña rodeado de animales y plantas, respirando aire puro y sano, lejos de la maldad de los seres humanos.

A moment of peace and best friend of mine when i am alone. It is also helped me in the recovery of my anger nature into a calm and crazy person. It is my life to stay after or before my loved ones.

Nature is a God gift for humanity and every living creatures means for survival.Human beings had a purpose live on earth, however the modern society, greediness, competition, aggressiveness, aesthetics needs and selfishness is a threat for both humanity and the nature.Today the holistic way of living which which was once a living culture by our ancestors by abiding with what nature has given to us....

Every living creature has been provided everything for their wellbeing, every living plant or even a weed has it's own reason to be on earth. Our traditional methods to cure people will be the future needs hence our new generation is not well grounded yet. We have to preserve and study more of these plants.I firmly believe that...same as nature has sent covid19 to to heal the earth...there must be somewhere a plants as a remedy to save humanity.

Time to preserve our nature and culture....there should be a miraculous plants somewhere on earth to save humanity...🙏

The forest has been my greatest teacher. I spend time with her, listening to her, understanding her, and learning from her ❤.

That is why today, I'm co-creating Deciduous tree with her, crying for her destruction, recognizing her rights, and fighting for her life!

I focus on nurturing young environmental enthusiasts through greening schools, environmental education, addressing food insecurity by planting fruit trees and establishing food forests, as well as inculcating a tree growing culture for forest cover increment through adopting a tree campaign through Green Generation Initiative.

Nature is athe very important to things on the earth included human.I love nature.I like toto explorer nature,like hiking,picnic at the beach,play at playground,visiting plantation,camping in the jungle..I still can remember the day my family and I explore the Cave Bewah and Cave Taat at our own country..its a natural cave,dark and full of bats flying at the top of the cave.there are also lots of stalagmites and stalacites..one of the stalamites shaped like a lion and its sparking.it's so amazing.I love nature much.it means lots to me..

Happy World Earth Hour Day

Growing up in Naivasha, Kenya, in the ‘80s I had an interest in watershed ecosystem structures, dynamics, anthropogenic influences and other forcing functions in relation to ecosystem stability and management, especially in freshwater management.

Community members would bear all the cost of conservation especially in the upper and middle catchment areas of Naivasha and yet the benefits would not necessarily be ploughed back to them but rather collected by duty bearers and investors who didn’t give much back to the community members.

I lead from the front first in the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), where we organize the investors in the Lake Naivasha basin, who voluntarily contribute funds to help support community members involved in the conservation of freshwater sources. I am currently in charge of twelve water resources users’ associations under the Lake Naivasha Basin Umbrella Water Resources Users Association (LANABWRUA) and we are leading efforts in amplifying the voices of all community members.

“I am a teacher by training, but a conservationist at heart. I grew up in Mkokoni in Lamu on the shores of the Indian Ocean. A lot has changed, there is more trash than fish and other ocean animals like sea turtles.

I have read and learned a lot about sea turtles. Sea turtles confuse plastics for food, so I try to reduce the number of plastics by turning them into useful things. A lot of flip flops end up on the shore, we sort them by colour, clean them up, punch them and turn what could have ‘poisoned’ the living things in the water we depend on into cash. We earn a living as well as clean the ocean from plastic.

I am a member of the Kiunga turtle conservation group comprising of 20 youth from Kiunga protected area who volunteer by working with WWF-Kenya on marine turtle conservation and other green initiatives like mangrove conservation. Through the WWF-Kenya funded Trash to Cash Program women and youth collect flip flops and mould them into toys and other handicrafts, thus, cleaning up the beaches to ease sea turtle nesting. From their sales, they earn an income.”

Nature is symbol of love, peace and happiness for me.

Nature to me is the symbol of hope, unity and is the strongest super power. No matter what you are as an individual or the secondary things like, capitalism, technology, economy or currency, there are few things in the world which can’t be changed or controlled.

Nature doesn’t need us, but we need Nature every moment in our life!

An ability to do something for the planet and and the planet repays back in its own form.

A place that loves me because it makes me comfortable in this universe Happy earth hour

The most beautiful thing in the world is Mother Nature. I have organized tree plantation drives. Conducted nature connect programs. Experienced nature first hand with treks and hikes. We have come up with a documentary on Vulture Conservation and a book on snake conservation.Supported forests and zoos by indirectly supporting the forest department. We have also adopted a panther named Apsara in Bannerghatta Zoo and provided bags , metal water bottles and first aid boxes to help forest guards in their day to day rounds to prevent poaching. All efforts going towards conserving wildlife and it's habitats in turn saving Mother Nature.

Turn off the lights

Its our valuable assets that can nurture us,Provides us, protect us, shelter us and heal us.

I've always been a person that enjoyed the outdoors more than indoors. I love running, skiing, and adventuring in nature. Years ago, I started seeing changes in nature - different weather patterns, snow for skiing, pollution of the air, water, and land. Since, I've learned what I can do to help, and worked as an advocate. I wrote this poem to reflect my opinion about nature, and human impact on it. Enjoy!

Midheaven

By: Lisa A. Durant

There is a force to trust amidst thundering torrents of life

The wind moves it; the earth grounds it, and reverberates the mighty sound

Humming…

All living things can feel it; few humans receive it

The pulse of earth and heaven are the same, and the mid place in between

Artists of all sorts, seers and wise ones, heed calls to wake others

Those unable to feel rudimentary sensation

Survival sensation…

Artful messages are sent through powers of attraction and beauty

Beauty today, pure and unadulterated, is stifled by a masquerade called progress

Betrayal of heart, land and mind is a game of devious deception

Human words, written, told or sung, are messengers akin to lyrics of wild birds

Hope, faith and optimism whilst warning signs borne of assessment

The wingspan to soar, the power to flap to fly, define a space called midheaven

The intersection of earth and air in complete synchronicity

Heed the call the winds inform, the birds harken, and intuition intact bring

The power of the natural world has, and will forever, reign supreme

For the edge of death is scarily near

Good, light and truth square domination of the dark, powerfully corrupt

Manmade systems gone awry, designed for consumption, greed and excess

This movement endeavors to silence the humming of the ages, and opposes the force of elemental nature

To have glanced the other side of darkness, of death in human form, reveals a pinpoint light that is hope

Dark tunnels revolve and resound at point; the everlasting gateway is true light and love

Beauty is Queen

King and Kingdom fall

Nature is the creator,mother,love.

Nature is an essential part in our planet and we need to protect it everyday by doing small things but deep meaning. I and my team encourage our friends and families to engage in Earth Hour event by sharing their potted plants pictures at home and hashtag our Instagram page @eco_planting2020 to the community. We hope this is an interesting activity to do at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nuture means human existance.

The Novel Corona virus Cuvid 19 means Nature must be restored, conserved and protected for humanity to thrive.

Our Future!! Nature is from we came, our survival and our future. So let's induce in the kid for new Generation. Let's celebrate with children like. Birthday, let's the Future generation believe in it. It's Important to drive it.

Nature means the world to me (no pun intended). Nature is what helps me reconnect, destress, and appreciate the beauty of an ecosystem. The smallest acts can have big impacts, and when we work together anything is possible. I look forward every year to Earth Hour and getting outside and enjoying all parts of nature!

NATURE to me is “God’s gift” to all humanity. As a token of gratitude and respect, we must “protect” it!

Nature is definitely a blessing from above that lm so thankful for it is my home and safe haven. It is my friend when l feel lonely and it has also been a place where l can find true peace. Nature is my way of seeing a glimpse of my creator .Looking deep ito it l will understand everything better because it works hard to protect us and to sustain our everyday lives, nature means many things to me.

I believe that we all have a huge responsibility to treat nature in the right way. We all depend on our planet. During my travels around the world, I witnessed enormous amounts of plastic waste that are thrown in the oceans and on the beaches. I couldn't help but wonder what I can do to help prevent ocean pollution.

As a passionate ultra-marathoner, I decided to launch a sports apparel brand without harming the planet and producing more waste. My solution is recycling in every step of the process. Our Rockay performance socks are made from 100% recycled fishing nets, ocean waste, and other recycled material. We don't compromise product quality or sustainability. Both can be achieved. We will donate 10% of all sales made on Earth Day to oceana.org, an organization that protects the world's oceans. Our marine life and ecosystem are endangered by human-made waste, and we all can do something about it. More info about our mission on www.rockay.com

Natural systems are vital for all our futures.Nature provides us food, water, clean air, and so on. Nature gives us life.

Nature provides us food, water, clean air and other resources. Nature is the central seed of the web of life, from which all kinds of lives can exist. Conservation should start by controlling our water footprints, carbon footprints, plastic footprints, pollution footprints, food footprints and garbage footprints. Conservation of energy is vital towards combating Climate Change.

I’m a high school student in Northeast Yucai School of Fine Arts, Shenyang, China. We have carried out many activities on environmental protection in our school. Last year, I participated in the Earth Hour and became a “panda” to save energy . Under the organization of my school, we planted flowers, trees, and vegetables on campus. Combined with mathematical knowledge, our classmates planted the school badge in the flowerbed. We joined in garbage sorting activities many times and made garbage sorting posters. What’s more, we had the opportunity to participate in an environmental painting competition and won awards.

At 8:30 pm on March 28 this year, the lights will be turned off for one hour. Our teachers and students will join the entire planet and take actions. I hope everyone could increase environmental awareness, consciously practice a low-carbon lifestyle, jointly promote energy conservation and emission reduction, and build a resource-saving and environment-friendly environment.

Ever since I was younger I knew I wanted to work with animals and I enjoyed being outside. It wasn’t until my freshman year in college that I started doing more research and learned about the plastic problem and climate change and I immediately started to change my life around. It was the same year that I learned about Earth Hour as well. I thought it was amazing that the whole world has an event to bring awareness about what’s really going on environmentally. Every year I participate and I usually watch a film about what I can do to help climate change and invite friends. I am a young environmentalist that has high hopes that I can help save/fix the environment through educating my peers. I personally want to work with animals but I cannot save animals until I help heal the earth.

Nature is Home. People spend several years of their youth to build a home for themselves. A home is a place of solace for many and so is Nature. Nature is home to diverse flora and fauna and different human beings. It is the only home where every species co-exists. All these species in one way or the other are guardians of Nature. I am committed to protecting my Mother Nature that is nurturing me. I

For most of our lives, we have depended on nature more than we realize it. We also may have taken advantage of that, simply through our actions. Catastrophic consequences have emerged from our actions, leaving nature to feel pressured and unbalanced. However, we forgot that as much as we depend on nature, it depends on us; we are one. Nature is calling out for us, it needs our help and it’s our responsibility to respond. Simple actions can result in great changes, for example by eliminating single-use plastics, you save the ocean from carrying hundreds of bottles, straws, bag, etc. I will do everything in my power to protect nature, I cannot live a life without nature and its beauty.

Nature is everything and I understand my role as part of this complex web of life that support us all. I also understand that even thought we are equally important as the rest of life to maintain our planet´s balance: we humans are a powerful specie. We have to take responsibility of our mistakes, reverse climate change and stop biodiversity loss. That´s why I raise my voice on Earth Hour and take my commitment further to a more sustainable day to day, a life in harmony with nature.

Meet me Oliviah Tawarar, from a village called Ngonyek and originally from the minority community in Kenya called the Sabaot community. Growing up in my village very few people knew about environmental conservation. My mum was a teacher in the village and she knew 1 or 2 things about taking care of the environment. At that time I did not know that was environmental conservation, for me that was just doing the right thing and everyone is expected to do the right thing, right?

Since then I have worked towards educating young people on the importance of taking care of the environment.

My role Model the late Wangari Maathai said that you cannot protect the environment until you empower people, you inform them and make them understand that these resources are their own that they must protect them.I follow those words to date, and that is exactly what Nature means to me. I decided that I will just sit there and do nothing, I will do whatever it takes to save our planet no matter how small the action is, it will make a difference.

It's a saying in my religion; God resides in nature!

Celebrate 'Earth Hour' on every Sunday We are living in the Century Of Climate Crisis', 'Population Explosion' and 'Household Explosion'. World population is expected to be 10 billion by 2050. Such a growing size is causing a pressure on our ecology. Biodiversity and Ecosystems are under stress and depleting. Daily life of humans is not eco-friendly and is destroying their future to fulfill their current unsustainable needs and ambitions. The vector-borne infectious diseases that are usually confined to wildlife, have spillover to people in areas undergoing rapid forest clearing. About 60% of the new infectious diseases that emerge in people, including HIV, Ebola, Nipah, and Covid19 originated in forest-dwelling animals. Our expanding urbanization, industrialization, agriculture and developmental activities are not sustainable and largely dependent upon fossil fuels for energy needs. Fossil fuels are fueling in the 'global warming' and 'climate change' which in turn is resulting in the melting of polar ice, ocean acidification, coastal erosion, ocean warming, floods, droughts, sea level rise, depleting biodiversity and urban heat-island effect. According to the ‘Global Carbon Project' atmospheric CO2 concentration in 2019 is 47% above the pre-industrial levels. The use of fossil energy sources is continued to grow, despite rapid growth in renewable energy sources. Renewable energy sources are not replacing fossil fuels but are rather expanding the overall amount of energy that is produced. Currently, crude oil is the largest fossil energy source, accounting for around 39 percent of fossil energy, followed by coal and natural gas at 33 and 28 percent, respectively. We cannot change our past but can change our future. Now, we have two primary choices at present: either to accept the conditions as they exist and wait for the end of the future or accept the responsibility to 'Change Climate Change' for the sake of a livable, better and sustainable future. It is upon 'current generation' to choose a future, better or worse. If we want to cherish every precious moment on earth, then we must have to take urgent 'Climate Action' for a 'sustainable future'. Every year we the world organise 'Earth Hour' in March month and switch-off electricity for one hour. But, just switching off electricity for one hour once in a year is not a sufficient step to reduce the impact of Climate Change. For this, we need a regular conservation of Energy resources. Celebrating 'Earth Hour' on every 'SunDay' may bring a change. On every Sunday, we may swear to say no to non-renewable forms of energy like thermal energy for at-least 'one hour'. We need this to save Earth from the lethal impact of Climate Change. The 'Future Developed Nations' will have high 'Green Governance', 'Carbon Negativity', 'Forest Cover', 'Sustainable Development', 'Household Size', 'Education' & 'Health'. So, transform your Sunday as 'Energy Conservation Day'. This will help in recovery of 'stressed ecosystems', biodiversity and mean normal Earth temperature of 14°C. Prabhat Misra Twitter- @PrabhatMisra

After our late Prime Minister, of Singapore embarked on a clean the rivers of our country, we have willd otters enjoying our clean waterways and plentiful of fish for their sustenance

Muugii

The world!

Einstien once said Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better...Nature is important for me going into nature and being surrounded by the wisdom of the trees, the beauty of the grasses, the inspiration of the mountains, and the warmth of the sun I can feel the subtle peace enter my body, mind, and spirit. I am now home once again.

Nature is symbol of love, peace and happiness for me.

It means everything !