Go Green, Think Green, Act Green, Live Green
We constantly come across news that governments and big business aren’t embracing action despite the warnings on climate change; often they might do just the bare minimum due to public pressure. At the same time, we see the destruction of many thousands of human lives as Mother Nature reacts to Man’s incessant demands on her precious resources, with natural disasters like droughts, floods and earthquakes.
In July 2018, the SSIO hosted its first Go Green Conference in Prasanthi Nilayam for over 1,200 delegates. The conference highlighted that change starts with each of us and that it starts from source.
“Man is not making the effort to understand the relationship between man, society, nature and God. There is an intimate relationship between these. Whatever we experience and consume should be within tolerable limits”.
Sathya Sai Baba
The Chief Guest, Mr. M. C. Mehta, spoke on four key actions: ‘Go Green, Think Green, Act Green, Live Green’. An internationally acclaimed environmental lawyer and advocate in India, Mr. Mehta said action is necessary at individual, societal and governmental levels to reduce the impact of man’s actions on all living beings.
Many renowned speakers from across the globe joined to give delegates a deep understanding of the issues at the heart of this crisis and the solutions that can be applied in practical ways, at personal, family and societal levels.
Highlights from the Go Green Conference
Video Highlights: Day 1
Hear from guest speakers who spoke of the urgent need for greater awareness and gratitude towards Nature, practical environmental solutions, and country-wide initiatives.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Video Highlights: Day 2
Among the topics covered on the second day was how the Sathya Sai Central Trust has been implementing green initiatives. The day ended with a release of the conference resolutions which are to be taken up as part of our committment to Go Green principles.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Go Green Reading: Nature: The Vesture of God
Explore the relationship between God, Nature, Man. Learn about ways to reuse, recycle and reduce waste.
READ THE BOOK
Many renowned speakers from across the globe joined to give delegates a deep understanding of the issues at the heart of this crisis and the practical solutions that can be applied at personal and family level, as well as with societal.
One of the speakers, Ms Hrund Hafsteinsdottir, Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iceland, captured the essence of the conversation: ”Of all the challenges we are faced with, the most serious one is without doubt, climate change. But what is it exactly? What is global warming? There is no simple or short way to describe it. But in a few words, it’s unpredictable weather, extreme heat, less rain, melting ice from the glaciers leading to dramatic consequences for our food production and our water reservoirs. We are seeing heavier monsoons, more frequent tsunamis around the world, polluted air is affecting our health. There is a sea level rise and increased acidity, which is all affecting the ocean ecosystems”.
While these issues may seem far away, perhaps disconnected from our lives and actions, what each of us buys and consumes, or throws away, and the ways in which we relate to the environment has a direct impact on our planet. For generations, spiritual teachers, faith based scriptures, and indigenous cultures have been encouraging and reminding us to treat our environment with love and compassion.
Go Green Workshop and Study Circle Content
Read the insights of delegates and understand how protecting the planet helps one progress spiritually.
Highlights from Study Circles
To set up your own study circles, we have shared the framework from the study circle held at the Go Green conference at Prasanthi Nilayam
Service Workshop Summary Notes
Developing strategies on transforming Sathya Sai Centres and Groups as Sathya Sai Baba’s ‘Green’ instruments and explored methods of making existing service activities more ‘Green’ and environmentally sustainable.
READ THE GUIDE
Education Workshop Summary
This workshop was conducted as a Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (SSEHV) lesson plan titled ‘Respect for the Earth’.
READ THE LESSON SUMMARY
Summary Notes from Devotion Workshop
Use this guide to delve into Sathya Sai Baba’s teachings in relation to the unity between God, Nature and Man.
READ THE GUIDE