Today should have been the first day of our second Environment Festival in Peel. We are, of course, very disappointed this hasn’t been able to happen but – in a strange way – this has also been a time to be positive, to reflect, to think, to look back and, most importantly, look forwards.
There has been a peacefulness and a thoughtfulness to these last few weeks which is unprecedented. Everyone has had time to sit down and have a reality check, to share precious time with each other, and to give serious thought to “what this is all about”.
We believe amongst all the sadness and the tragic loss of life that there is hope and a positive future ahead for us all. Just as at the end of the Second World War when my parents sought a new life in the Isle of Man, and looked to build a new and better future, here is a strikingly similar situation.
Surely no one wants the world to continue as it was? Hunting money, politicians fighting with other nations, wasting money on ourselves, caring only about “me”, turning a blind eye to warnings about climate change, hardly giving a thought to the plastics we dump into the oceans killing millions of fish and animals every day. Yes, every day.
Our suggestion to the Isle of Man – and to everyone around the world – is that this unique period in our history should now be marked annually with “A Week For The World” – a total ‘switch-off’ from the hectic treadmill and anxiety of life; to simply sit down, think about what life is all about, share precious and quiet time with each other, and pay tribute annually to the sad loss of so many people on our planet.
It should be a week where we all spend our time at home and at leisure with loved ones; to forget work, money, ambition and desire, and think about the simple things in life that really matter – family, friends, loved ones, neighbours, nature, wildlife, the environment. Just being together, not as a nation, but a worldwide generation.
It’s a unique opportunity. Will we grasp it and look forward to a better future – not just for you, but for everyone?
