Consumerism, Politics, Traditions, Logic and Our Environment

Consumerism is the biggest culprit behind the state of our environment. Manufacturers and advertisers are trying to sell their stuff. People are acquiring more and more, to show off their wealth...and ultimately, all that 'stuff' ends up hurting our ecosystem. Even all the ‘eco-friendly’ products now…Anyone with a really environment-friendly approach would definitely not be creating more stuff, for sure.
Traditions were formed in a time, when the population was a lot smaller and resources were there in plenty. Also there was no other source of entertainment back in the day- people created 'events' for just that... or in some cases, they didn't have the means to / couldn’t come up with any other way of doing it... But, when a population of billions all over the globe indulges in Valentine's Day gifts/cards/wrapping, Holi water anti-conservation, chemical colour play (rather than the actual traditional natural plant based pure colours...see the irony there?), Diwali fire works, Holika dahan, Lohri fire, Christmas decorations/gifts/wrapping...even more so, when most of these gifts aren't even mindful,’… it all starts taking a toll on our environment and what’s worse….it starts showing. Doing all of these things in the name of religion/traditional is plain insanity. Our customs were based on logic. ‘It’s too dark to sweep/cut your nails/hair, so don’t.’ ‘A great way to get warm in the cold weather and enjoy some music and snacks= Lohri’. But all these scenarios don’t have to be replicated in the modern age. We have the means to warmth without fire now. We have light, so can sweep, cut nails/ hair after sunset…and so on.
The idea behind was only that friends and family spend quality time together doing all kinds of fun things and enjoy the yummy foods. But do you think, our ancestors would have made the traditions mandatory for future, even when they started hurting our own Dharati Mata? No.
Like the authorities took a stand and stopped the visarjans in the Ganges, the government can and should take stronger steps against all other pollutants too...but alas...the vote banks and the convenient ‘touchy sentiments’ of the extremists and the insecure, which make it easy for the politicians to rile up the masses against their own opponents, as and when it pleases them!
But fear not, from there is still hope. As long as people like us, clean up our own acts and free ourselves from this race of showing off and hoarding things or practicing customs that don't bring any joy in our lives, but rather hurt someone/something and try and create awareness as much as possible.
And remember, no-one can be forced to do anything. It just never works. So, even if we couldn't turn anyone into an environmentalist today. There is always tomorrow.
That's just what I try to do. The above is kind of a pep talk I give to myself every time it gets too overwhelming. :)