Green Man seeks the truth

A couple of weeks ago I took individual action to attempt to correct an injustice which I felt was particularly malicious. I received an email from a well-meaning friend who declared that she didn't usually participate in chain emails but the content of this one really got to her.

The basis of the message was that due to pressure from a religious minority, the new National Curriculum had dropped the teaching of the holocaust and the email was being sent round as a memorial to the many victims. I thought it unlikely that the holocaust deniers had reached that far into our policymaking bodies, and in the interest of truth, did some research before I did anything further with the email.

My research resulted in my finding that the Secondary School Curriculum Review is taking place at the moment, and that the two World Wars and the holocaust is still on it, as expected (QCA website).

There were several other untruths within the chain email, seemingly there to stir up religious/ethnic unrest, so I felt it would be unethical to just leave the chain going. I sent a carefully composed but short email to the person who sent it to me and the other recipients telling them the truth of the situation.

A chap up the line of the email chain sent me an impassioned reply about remembering the holocaust, so I calmly and carefully clarified my message that I just wanted to promote truth and tolerance. His reply to this was amazing. I count it as one of my successes! He said "Thanks to you, I will in future check the validity of any such emails that are sent to me and not simply rely on knowing the person that sent it". The moral is don't believe everything you read, especially on the internet!

In groups, we can make a difference too. This Saturday (8th December), a large group is getting together to try to influence our decision makers, and I wish I could be with them... but I can't as I'm working. It is the National Climate March, part of a Global Day of Action. The main UK focus is of course London, assembling at Millbank at midday. I'd be on the cycle protest if I could, meeting at Lincoln's Inn Fields at 10am, and I'd have liked to hear some of the well known speakers and campaigners, especially George Monbiot whom I think is very eloquent.

There is likely to be a lot of noise, solidarity and a 'party atmosphere', despite the serious subject of our increasingly polluted atmosphere. Expect public transport into London that morning to be more packed than usual. See www.campaigncc.org for more details.

My 'green tip of the week' is to participate in the event, whether in London or another city, then make a (nother) 'green change in your life.