We are a collection of individual lives, each separate and unique, yet drawn together by profound shared life experiences: the new challenges of global warming and climate change and the global effort to address them. There is no one exactly like each of us. Yet, without the prior work of others very much like ourselves, none of us would be together here.

When we, at ECHO, started talking about climate change and environmental stewardship, there were already others in and beyond our local communities encouraging residents to treat the environment with respect and care. We are individuals, but the thread of our lives is part of a larger fabric. The little speck of colour that is our autobiography takes its enduring significance from its connection with the broader weave of the times we live in.

Where we go with the thread of our lives in the years ahead is, of course, up to us. Once we accept a code of discipline, we have choices. We have choices not only about our personal road, but about the way we interact with our environment.

The number one priority for us as individuals is, necessarily, to demonstrate environmental stewardship. Personal discipline is fundamental to the development of our families, communities and nation. Whatever we may wish for ourselves in the new year – health, friends, family, revolution, career, money, education, success, peace of mind, travel, excitement, whatever – it all requires a sense of personal discipline as its necessary precondition.

If we have discipline then we can make progress toward our goals. If we lose our sense of discipline, all our dreams go down the drain with it. That’s why I hope everyone will join us in resolving, above all, to make this next stretch of time one of discipline. Let’s all be in a position to say, and keep saying, that “I’ve been disciplined this entire year.”

Personal discipline is also vital to our progress as an organisation. Last year, we achieved a modest measure of success as a group because our members have a strong sense of discipline and personal responsibility. These values demonstrated by our core membership has, over time, won over the hearts and minds of different communities, and this in turn has opened new doors to us and brought us new opportunities and a steady flow of new participants. Because of discipline we have initiated the first set of eco-clubs in a number of our primary schools, and will replicate these in some secondary schools and colleges in 2010.

Because of discipline, we are in the process of finalising arrangements to set up the first eco learning centre in Georgetown. If we continue making discipline our priority, and take care of our organisational homework, I don’t doubt that ECHO can double in size in a few years.

Anyone who surveys ECHO from a nationwide perspective will come to the conclusion that we still have a long way to go before we live up to our potential.

However, the concept of environmental stewardship is an immensely powerful one. It is in harmony with all efforts, global and local, to combat climate change. No one can really talk about addressing climate change without taking into account stewardship of the natural environment. However, our organisational development still lags woefully behind the manifest sweep and power of environmental injustices, in many local communities. In many areas, where the natural environment is being destroyed, we have not been able to do effective awareness. As an organisation, there is no more important strategic priority for us than to raise awareness on the seriousness of environmental challenges we face as a nation.

What will happen to us as individuals and as an organised movement in 2010, no one can tell. One thing I know: it matters deeply what we do today. Our actions have consequences. Many of us are disciplined and productive.

When we get together in events like our recent environmental conference and feel the synergy, we know it was all worth it and it was all important to do. And so, as we begin the New Year, we ought to be very pleased that we have made a contribution to raising awareness about the need for environmental stewardship, in our local communities. We look forward to 2010 with excitement to the opportunities that accompany climate change.