SEEDS OF CHANGE --By Aakriti Agarwal

Ever wondered how a minuscule thing like a seedling houses the power to become a tree? How life started on this Earth in the form of an Amoeba (a single celled organism) and now there are 8.74 million different species of Plants, Animals, Fungi etc in the world?

Be it the evolution story of a particle into Earth or the journey from bits to bytes, every big change or revolution starts from something small. You might think that a lone individual’s contribution is insignificant or lacks the power to influence the masses and garner widespread support but history is replete with examples that prove – Change starts Small.

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“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

--Margaret Mead

Just 50 years ago, Belfast suffered thick smogs with thousands dying as a result each year. But, the scenario today is much different with relatively much lower air pollution levels. The various smoke control programmes set off a chain reaction or Domino Effect resulting in the closure of the Belfast West power station and greater use of natural gas which is a cleaner fuel.

More recently, two years ago the controversial gold mining project by a huge Canadian multinational company in Spain was the prime focus of a heated debate. A small anti-mining movement was successful in having a strong impact on the regional media mobilising thousands of people. The outcome? The project was cancelled.

Even a single one person or event can trigger a revolution. The lone individual/ event acts as a “SEED OF CHANGE”. When the seed is sown, other people join in and contribute which is akin to watering and fertilizing the sown seed. And just like the seed grows up to be a huge tree, the tiny spark of change turns into a movement ushering in a whole new reality.

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“From Small Seeds Grow BIG Dreams.”

Never underestimate yourself, because even the seemingly tiny

“SEEDLING” carries within itself all components/ nutrients required for it to grow into a sapling and eventually a full-fledged plant. Similarly, each one of us has immense potential within ourselves that can bring about a revolution!

READY, SET, GROW!!

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Huge environmental challenges are present, but solutions do exist. Your action is needed more than ever now to tackle climate change. Small things like switching off lights in rooms when not needed and TV sets on standby mode to making more sustainable choices in travel (for example cycling, car-pooling, public transport) can make a real difference.