As we celebrate Himalaya Diwas today, we do so recognizing that these majestic peaks that have protected us and nurtured us for thousands of years are in grave danger from the relentless effects of man-made climate change. For millions of years, these sacred mountains have flourished, providing the planet and its inhabitants with literally everything that it needs to survive. And, in just a little over 100 years, humans have created an environment that threatens their very existence.
But, it’s not just the Himalayas. This is a global issue – one with far-reaching, cataclysmic repercussions that will literally change the face of our planet. In this powerfully-evocative video, filmed during HH Param Pujya Swamiji’s and Pujya Sadhviji’s yatra to Iceland, they find the shrinking glaciers of this Arctic nation and an ocean filled with giant chunks of the once-massive ice floes – yet still find the faith and the confidence to encourage us all to take action to stop this tragedy from decimating our planet.
Today, especially, let us honour and celebrate our Himalayas! Let us not just Hope. Let us instead Do more to help change the course of our shared history. Let us commit – passionately – to do everything in our individual and collective power to correct our collective errors in judgement. Let us heal our planet! There is nothing that we can’t do – including mitigate climate change – if we do it together!
