Feature Writing

Green Life, Green Environment

With the growing concerns of pollution and damage to the environment, an individual in Singapore does his part to ensure a greener earth for his future family.

Hariharan Nair, 24, has changed his lifestyle to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable over the years, his quiet commitment and small efforts have largely impacted his friends around him as well. Be it recycling metal drink cans, reducing single use plastics, Hari is determined with a goal in mind to ensure a greener future.

Growing up, Hari was not always eco-conscious as they are today. Having used to be a commercial diver and now a maritime officer, what should have been a pristine sight and view of the sea was instead a murky mix of plastic bags, trash and dead sea life. “Plastic bags, all the polluted water, all and that was actually quite very disgusting. Sometimes I even saw the sea life like fish, turtles, all that eating on the plastic bags” He said. That was the turning point for him, to do his part no matter how big the impact for a greener future.


Photo of Hari at work as a commercial diver. Photo by: Hariharan

Hari prefers a subtle approach into living more environmentally friendly. “I bring on my own recycle bags like when I go for grocery shopping at NTUC and etc. Then I also avoid using the plastic cutlery so when I take out food, I can use my own metal cutleries at home.” Hari said. Simple gestures yet big outcomes is what Hari is pursuing to play his part for a greener future.

The sounds of metal clanking in a recycling bin, rustling sounds of a tote recyclable bag instead of a plastic one, these are the everyday sounds of Hari’s life and commitment. Gestures of refusing the use of plastic bags when he runs errands at groceries stores or convincing friends to do the same and introducing them to thrifting, this is Hari’s lifestyle of living more sustainably.

Pravin Kumar, 22, a childhood friend and still a very close friend of Hari also noticed Hari’s efforts. “And I feel that he also influenced me to develop a habit to recycle more often because I don't think I had the habit earlier”, says Pravin. Hari’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, but even his close friends have noticed and are inspired by what he is doing and is following his steps.

Of course, his journey is not always smooth sailing. Hari admits that sometimes, he feels drained and is too lazy to continue. “Sometimes my friends will say all like why you need to do all this, waste time, use plastic, so much more convenient what,” Hari recounts, “they will like question my motives and the reasons why I want to be more sustainable. So it can be quite tough sometimes” On top of that, internally he struggles as well. “sometimes I feel lazy also lah,” Hari says.

“Especially when he first started out, I noticed sometimes like Sometimes he will like give up and also be upset”, said Pravin. However despite all these setbacks and challenges of living sustainably, Hari’s perseverance is unwavering. “How do I explain to my future children one day that this is how dirty our oceans are thanks to our generation” It’s his clear vision and goal in his mind that keeps Hari going, even when difficult times show up banging on his door.

Hari’s determination was also noticed by Pravin, and is a quality that he truly admires about Hari. “Because he just doesn't say and not do but he always has his actions to back it up and the effort that he does in every day of his life”

Hari hopes that in the future, more people will start to be more caring towards the environment and hopes more people will start living sustainably. His advice to others looking to do the same? Start small. Sometimes small changes can lead to a bigger impact. “Ignore whatever feedback from your friends, family or what people will tell you. It challenges you mentally but overall you will know that you yourself are doing something for a greater cause in the future. Search online where and how to start”

“Because like despite all the teasing it really showed how deeply they believed in their values. Like it really wasn't about just impressing anyone. It was just simply staying true to what he stands for”, Pravin said. Hari proves that living sustainably and being environmentally friendly, is not just a trend, it’s his mindset and his way of life. Like ripples in a pond, his actions may seem small, but his influence spreads far and wide, inspiring his friends and family to do the same.