Come, paint the world green

This weekend, Greenpeace is putting together the Grand Finale Art Show at Alliance Francaise. They hope to get people to stop talking and start working on making Bangalore an energy efficient city

As the world debates the issue of climate change, Greenpeace makes small inroads into young minds to create environmental awareness.u00a0

In association with schools, Greenpeace volunteers mostly young professionals use art, theatre, documentary films, quiz and essay competitions to educate children. "The idea is not to dilute the seriousness of the problem but to talk to them in a language they understand," said Ajesh, a Greenpeace volunteer who is a fine arts graduate and a theatre enthusiast.u00a0

So ask the kids and they will tell you all about the effects of pollution, carbon emissions, glaciers melting and everything else that threatens our planet's future. Some of them express it artistically, some do it through skits and still others churn out award-winning essays at workshops on environmental issues. The idea is to empower these little Green Warriors, as they are called, to take care of the fragile planet and ecology. What was started in December '08 will culminate in the Grand Finale Art show on July 24 and 25 at The Alliance Francaise. On display will be the eco art of these children.

There will also be a workshop, an interactive session with the visitors so that they can also contribute to the cause in a small way.u00a0

Worthy cause: Posters at the Greenpeace exhibition

But that's not all. Greenpeace has been mobilising support for a renewable energy law for sometime now.u00a0 Greenpeace volunteers plan to use this art exhibition as a perfect platform to sign on more individuals as their Green Idolsu2013those who will spread the word and ultimately take the petition to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, hoping for some tangible action.u00a0

In fact, very shortly, Greenpeace will release a report Energy Revolution in Bangalore. "It upholds the city as a model energy efficient city. It talks of how despite having such a high inflow of people, Bangalore takes care of its carbon emissions," says Anirban Chakraborty, territory manager, Greenpeace, Bangalore. He also informs us that their latest campaign on climate change is the monsoon mapping project in Mumbai. It is meant to educate the people about how the climate change is leading to increasing floods in the city and that immediate action needs to be taken.u00a0

Now is the time to make a difference to save the world and "make it a better place for you and for me and the entire human race," as Michael Jackson sang.

At: Alliance Francaise, on July 24 and 25.

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