Coruption, oppression and self-obsession

Taking a break from studying for finals. As I fumbled through my collection of songs, I came across this song which I feel, holds particular meaning to me. This song is sung by Johor-born Artist Zainal Abidin in his 1st solo album I think. For those who have never heard the song before, it calls out to the listeners to really rethink their own role in the gradual destruction of mother nature. Coupled with the unique Afro-Asian style of Zainalabidin, it is no wonder that this song is one of my all time favourite - definitely recommended if you've never heard it before.

For the benefit of those illiterate in the Malay Language. Included here is an attempted translation on my part of the lyrics, with some reference from The I'mPerfect Mum, of the song. Correct me if there are any mistakes.

Hijau - Zainal Abidin Bumi yang tiada rimba Seumpama hamba Dia dicemar manusia Yang jahil ketawa Bumi yang tiada udara Bagai tiada nyawa Pasti hilang suatu hari Tanpa disedari Bumi tanpa lautan Akan kehausan Pasti lambat laun hilang Duniaku yang malang Dewasa ini kita saling merayakan Kejayaan yang akhirnya membinasakan Apalah gunanya kematangan fikiran Bila di jiwa kita masih lagi muda Dan mentah Ku lihat hijau Bumiku yang kian pudar Siapa yang melihat Di kala kita tersedar Mungkinkah terlewat Korupsi,opresi,obsesi diri Polusi,depressi,di bumi,kini Oh..anok-anok tokleh meghaso mandi laok Besaing,maing ghama-ghama Ale lo ni tuo umurnyo bejuto Kito usoho Jauhke dari malapetako Ozon lo ni koho nipih nak nak aghi Keno make asak Hok biso wei,pasa maknusio Seghemo bendo-bendo di dunio Tokleh tehe Sapa bilo-bilo

Green -Zainal Abidin Mother Earth without it's forrests, is just like a slave. Corrupted by us humans, who are still foolishly laughing it away. Mother Earth without it's (clean)air, is like a dead planet. Bound to disappear some day, before we even know it. Mother Earth without it's oceans, will dry up in thrist. It WILL, sooner or later, vanish. Oh my unfortune Earth. In recent years, we kept celebrating, the successes which will eventually destroy us all. What's the use of maturity of thought, when in our souls we are still so young, and inexperienced. I envisage a green(world). My dear Earth is fading, but who sees(pays attention to) it? By the time we finally realise it, it might already be too late. Corruption, opression, self-obsession, (is the cause of)Pollution, depression in our world now. Oh.. children will not feel how it is to swim in the sea and play in it together this earth is millions of years old we (should) work to keep it away from disaster the ozone is thinning and yet we still keep burning. Poisoned by humans, all the things in this world, will not last foverever.

Somebody should do something. And that somebody is you and I. People who know me well would be able to recall the number of times I kept harping to them about going green. It's as easy as not wasting our precious resources for a start, but how many of us actually bother to make that extra effort to switch off that phone charger/appliance when not in use? How many lights and computers are left running in empty office blocks at night? Recently the city of Sydney held a city-wide awareness campaign during World Earth Hour to make people seriously view the impacts of their style of living, but critics on the ground report that a large portion of the Sydneyians just went on with their lives as if it's none of their business(BBC NEWS, 2007). They just don't care.

The white sails of the Opera House were darkened during
Earth Hour(picture obtained from BBC News,2007)

Xtine's words resonate once and again in my head, "Mankind is charging towards its own destruction.".. and the worst part is, most of us just don't care.

One incident which interests me is this tv programme by BBC which features BBC Panorama reporter Justin Rowlatt sharing his experience of going green for a whole year(BBC NEWS, 2007). Although the stint smells of commercialisation, nevertheless, it shows that going green is possible, and I envisage that I will be able to live just like him in the near future.

Hope this has induced some thought on your part. Back to studying for me~ ciao