Creative Acts

On the UN climate change conference in Bali, Indonesia. We purposed the idea of World Silent Day based on our culture in Bali to celebrate Nyepi Day, a silent day for self reflection which on 24 hours we doing nothing. We have time to present the conception about World Silent Day and declare how important to celebrate by people in the world to stop the use of energy and CO2. Here the press release we distribute to the international media during the events:

PRESS RELEASE

SILENT DAY FOR THE EARTH:

The Bali way of
Reducing Green House Gas Emission
By Doing Nothing

December 2007

During the opening of the 13th session of the Conference of Parties to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a very brief film ”Nyepi (Silent) Day for the Earth” was screened. This film, made by the Bali Collaboration on Climate Change, illustrates the situation in Bali during Nyepi the Day of Silence observed for 24 hours, once a year in Bali during the Saka New Year. All activities cease during that day.

People have asked the question how can an entire island cease activities, light only minimum lights and everyone stay home? This paper provides a background information on this old practice, within the context of reducing green house gas (GHG) emission.

The environmental philosophy of Nyepi

Balinese people have a philosophy of harmony known as Trihitakarana. Tri means three, Hita means happiness, Karana means the cause. So Trihitakarana means three causes of happiness, which are harmonious relationship between humans and God, humans with other human beings, and humans with nature. This is complementary to the three pillars of sustainable development that we are familiar with today, i.e. the economic, social and environmental pillars.
One of the implementation of Trihitakarana is observing the Silent day or Nyepi during the Saka New Year, in March or April. Originally Nyepi was aimed at providing a space for individuals to reflect on themselves and to contemplate the Creator. Nyepi is also aimed at giving space for the nature to breathe and rest and rejuvenate herself. This is a unique traditional practice as part of the Nusantara Archipelago heritage that is still practiced until today. Nowhere else in the world do we know of a community observing a day of Silence collectively.
The practice of Silent Day Bali

In the past, Nyepi was observed during different times by different villages or areas in Bali. The island-wide Nyepi was observed collectively since 1973 and it was declared a national holiday since 1983.

The Balinese community conduct a series of ritual as a symbol to cleanse nature and achieve balance between the macrocosm (Bhuana Agung) and microcosm (Bhuana Alit)). This is followed by four self-restraining conducts or the Catur Brata Penyepian during Nyepi, i.e.:

1. Amati Geni (not lighting fire)
Literally not lighting fire for cooking and not lighting lamps. People are advised to fast to rejuvenate the body and restraint wants. Today this extends to not putting on lamps after dark including street lights.

2. Amati Karya (not working)
It is advised not to do any physical work, but rather to meditate on the self and on the Creator.

3. Amati Lelungaan ( not travelling)
People are advised not to travel since the aim is to give the body a rest.

4. Amati Lelanguan (no entertainment)
It is advised to switch off all entertainment equipment such as television, radio etc. People are advised to be with themselves as part of self reflection.

In the modern day, Nyepi is still practiced on Bali with few exceptions. All roads are empty of vehicles, all commercial and social activities are stopped, airports and seaports are closed and people stay at home. Only certain police stations and hospitals are allowed to operate. For 24 hours people are advised not to put on lights.

The original objective was to rest the body physically and to provide space for the earth to breathe after a year of being polluted and exploited by humans. In the present day, this ancient practice can become an easy, no-cost, fair way to reduce greenhouse gas emission.

Reduction of GHG emission during Nyepi?

It is estimated that during Nyepi, GHG is reduced by a minimum of 20 thousand tons, based on the following calculation. According to the 2005 data there were about 1,008,000 motor cycles and 200,000 cars in Bali. If it is assumed that each motor cycle consumes 4 liters of petrol each day, about 4,032,000 liters are used. Again assuming each liter of petrol produces 2.4 kg CO2, the CO2 emission from motor cycle would be 9,676,800 kg . Assuming one car consumes 10 liters of petrol, about 2 million liters of petrol are used each day. This would emit 4.8 million kg of CO2.

About 80 airplanes operate at the Ngurah Rai airport in Bali, consuming about 1600 kiloliter of fuel (avtur). Using the same conversion assumption, the emission would amount to 3.840 ton CO2. Thus total emission from motor cycles, cars and airplanes would be about 17,316 tons. This is a conservative estimate. At a minimum, Bali reduces 20 thousand tons of CO2 emission during Nyepi, not including emission reduction from the seaports, industry and energy sectors.

A message of Wisdom from Bali

Nyepi, or the Silent Day is a real contribution to GHG emission reduction which is fair, easy to implement and at almost no cost. Of course this does not replace other essential mitigation and adaptation measures to address climate change. But, this method of reducing GHG emission is something that anyone and everyone can do easily, because it requires only an individual will TO DO NOTHING FOR 24 HOURS! The international community can learn this wise practice by adopting a Silent Day on March 21st every year.

Bali can,
can you?

Message launched by the Bali Collaboration on Climate Change

Progress for these idea is to bring the people in the world to vote and campaign about the world silent day. Mainly to ask creative people to act with their creation to make their own campaign.
Please visit www.worldsilentday.org and I attach some of creative work made by volunteers for this event.

We want to share this idea with youand hoping for powerful impact.

With kind regards
Ayip
http://ayipbali.com
http://worldsilentday.org