“Allhamdulillah (Praise be to God), I can actively participate in the World Silent Day on March 21” said Hendra in his blog. Hendra is the backbone of the World Silent Day (WSD) web. He maintains, uploads, and teaches all of us to manage the web. He works at a web hosting and management company, and volunteers  for the Bali Collaboration on Climate Change (BCCC).

Journalists, friends and supporters often ask the BCCC team, what do we do during the silent day, how do we celebrate the WSD, etc. It is difficult for many people to contemplate “doing nothing” or doing things differently, or to get away from the electronic gadgets and the cars. Simple things such as talking with friends and families have been taken for granted. Thus the BCCC team wants to share with you what some of us did during the Silent Day. Seriously, we think Hendra topped all of us. Read the rest of this entry »

The World Silent Day (WSD) team started a new tradition since 2008 to mark : presenting trees to babies born on 21 March to mark World Silent Day. In addition to asking people to switch off electronic appliances, and reduce the use of motorized vehicles, the WSD team has another mission: One Baby One Tree. The idea was conceived in one of the discussions held by the team, in early 2008. Two women during that discussion suggested giving trees to babies, asking their parents to take of the trees for the babies.

The WSD picked up this idea, as  we think that the best present to give to a baby  is indeed  a useful tree. The tree will belong to the baby and will grow as the baby grows, much like a companion, a friend and a protector. We hope babies will appreciate the value of trees as they grow up with a tree. The culture of planting trees to mark the birth of a baby is present in many indigenous communities. We are just revitalising that culture, giving it a new meaning. Read the rest of this entry »

For those of you who want to try the Silent Day, but could not for various reasons, you can try to do this on March 26, the real Balinese Nyepi (silent) Day. The whole island of Bali will be quiet: airports, seaports, bus terminals would be closed for 24 hours; no one will venture out in the streets, no shops, markets, restaurants are open, the island will be dark. Only hospitals and some police stations will be open. Tourists are advised to stay inside their hotels.

You can try the silent day just like 21 March. Remember the four easy steps:

1. March 26, 2009.
2. Four hours (or more if you wish), of your choice.
3. Switch off as many electronic appliances as you can, refrain from using motor vehicles, reduce consumption.
4. Let us know your experiences through mysilent@worldsilentday.org.

We ask that you at least give it a try for the sake of the earth !!

Dear people of the Earth

Many of you joined us in the journey of Silence on March 21, 2008. Your participation has kept the World Silent Day Campaign alive.

Now, Bali Collaboration for Climate Change takes you again on a journey of Silence. This is a campaign for all of us to reduce green house gas emision by participating in the   WORLD SILENT DAY FOR THE EARTH.

WSD is a campaign that appeals to individuals  to reduce activites that produce green house gases - gases that trigger global warming and climate change.

Remember the four easy steps:

1. Saturday  21 March  2009
2. Only four hours 10 am to 2 pm
3. Switch off electronic appliances, reduce the use of motorized vehicles and activities that consume natural resources,  plant trees, strengthen relations with family, work team and neighbours
4. Share your silent experiences to  mysilent@worldsilentday.org.

The four hour silences is a first step towards World Silent Day, inspired from Bali. March 21 is selected because of the northern equinox and the World Forestry Day, linked to World Water day on March 22, symbolizing life.

For more information, please visit  www.worldsilentday.org. You can also  download paperless calendar, WSD icons and posters.

You can also opt to do your own way of silence and adjust the dates and time. The most important thing is to join the Silence in any way you can.

Please share this campaign to friends, families, work team, and all people that you know. Your small step today can mean a lot for our children in the future.

GIVE THE EARTH  ONE DAY  TO BREATHE
WORLD SILENT DAY - MARCH 21

In Silence
World Silent Day team
Bali Collaboration for Climate Change
Jl. Pengubengan Kauh no. 94
Kerobokan, Kuta, Bali
Email: bali.climatechange@gmail.com

Keeping Quiet
Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still.
For once on the face of the earth
let’s not speak in any language,
let’s stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.

It would be an exotic moment,
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.

Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.

Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victory with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.

What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity:
life is what it is about
I want no truck with death.

If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness,
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death,
perhaps the earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.

Now I’ll count to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.

Pablo Neruda (1904-1973), a Latin
American Poet, 1971 Nobel Prize
Award for Literary

Based on Poem entitled A callarse (1958)
translated to English by Alastair Reid (1972)