By Harold Kapindu
The Swedish teenage environmentalist, Greta Thurnberg has become a global icon, dominating news headlines as she rubs shoulders with global leaders.
Greta has been organizing climate change demonstrations with a plea to decision makers to listen to science.
With the Covid 19 lockdowns and preventive measures in place, Greta as well as other environmentalists have greatly been affected in as far as reaching out to the common individual is concerned.
Although, some environmentalists have taken environmental conservation campaigns to online platforms, it has been equally tough in Africa, Malawi to be specific, where internet penetration is very low.
One of the conservation organizations, Conservation Arts, a brainchild of Conservation Music global has released a Corona virus poem by Zinja and Ed.
Released on Friday, 19th June, "What is this?" is a Corona virus awareness poem done in both Chichewa and English.
The audio was produced by D-Max while the video was shot and directed by Cricky Justice of Dazzle Media.
"COVID-19 is a mystery to many of us. We have more questions than answers. Conservation Arts tries to bring to light some of these troubling questions about COVID. What is this?," Zinja commented.
Recently, Movement for Environmental Action in partnership with Lilongwe Wildlife Trust on 5th June, 2020 joined the rest of the world in commemorating Environmental Day.
The two, also partnered with Conservation Arts Malawi and Association of Environmental Journalists on commemoration activities.
The activities started with clearing of plastics at Lilongwe Wildlife Center along Lingadzi river and a live stream Biodiversity discussion.
"Our organization saw it fit to organize an activity that was both fun and positively impact the environment," Kelicia Chingeni, Movement for Environmental Action media and advocacy committee member said, adding that all Covid 19 preventive measures during the Lingadzi river up were observed.
"The Wilderness trails along the lingadzi river at Lilongwe Wildlife centre have so much garbage in particular plastic. Plastic is dangerous to both aquatic life and human life.
"The event was a success as we had more people show up than we had planned, as seen from our social media pages, a lot of Malawians are now aware of the importance of protecting the environment.
"Several environmental activists and organizations came together and exchanged notes on how best we can protect the environment and reach out to the masses so that they too work towards protecting the environment," Chingeni explained.
The theme for this year was investing in biodiversity: key to sustainable livelihoods.
Some of the artists who participated in the Lingadzi river clean up included musician Vube, Zinja and photographer/martial artist Cricky Justice.
"Chindekha" hit maker, Vube called upon creatives to play a role in environmental conservation.
"Its more than spreading the messages through music. We should start participating in such activities," he said.
as Earth Rise, a global digital mobilization that drives
actions big and small, gives diverse voices a platform and
demands bold action for people and the planet, went digital in commemorating Earth Day.
Conservation Arts released a song by Clifford Mkanthama discussing land restoration, a poem by Binge talking about the impacts of climate change and what we all can do, a poem by Zinja talking about how water is life.
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network in more than 193 countries.
Movement for Environmental Action organization advocates for taking greener steps each day in every thing to protect the environment while Conservation Arts is an organization which uses artistry to address environmental challenges.
