Its the sum of everything we do which makes up the world.
Simen Knudsens
We are human beings, therefore we will always leave a footprint, and while reducing our ‘footprint’ is quite important, do you ever think about the ‘handprint’ you leave on the world?
Simen Knudsens talks about this different perspective on plastic pollution and describes his connection with the ocean in this beautiful short documentary Tavaha, which is a nordic expression for taking care of the ocean. I highly recommend watching the 6 minute film which has some amazing imagery and beautiful sentiments I can completely relate to, like this one;
Its like this combination of feeling like part of the ocean of but at the same time as understanding that I will never be able to be in control of this I can only learn to move along with it.
Simen Knudens
If you have ever caught a wave before before you will understand this feeling, the feeling you get when the ocean unleashes a powerful wave on you, and then another one even bigger than that on you. That feeling of being small within it that commands respect and humbles any ocean lover. It also inspires us, again and again. I get so much joy from being on the sea, it is where I feel most alive. This connection means I care about it deeply, but many wonder what more can I do to actively protect it?
Simen suggests we focus on leaving a ‘positive handprint’ to compensate for our footprint, rather than feel guilty about our footprint not being zero. I love this perspective, and it reminds me to keep doing my best: its encouragement for the days when it is literally so hard to avoid all plastics. But lets not focus on that, its time to focus on the positive handprint.
The day I saw his film last week I went for walk at Orewa Beach, its a lovely long stretch of beach which is between where I work, easy to divert to on my way home. Sometimes there is lovely little waves rolling in, its a really beautiful spot and I especially love paddleboarding there. I really enjoy the days when the beach is so quiet I feel comfortable enough to take a selfie.
I am glad I went back to the car two minutes down to the beach to grab a canvas bag to collect rubbish since I had already found three pieces of plastic and instead of ending up with pockets extremely sandy and overflowing with rubbish, I try to remember my bag. I learned its better to just bring a bag rather than try and hold it all since I would pick up every piece I could possibly hold because it doesn’t belong in nature, in the ocean, on the beach, in the bush, under the snow or soil or sand or anywhere for that matter.
Picking up plastic and advocating for the sea are just some actions I try to take to create my positive handprint and keep positive, because if everyone did their part to look after the environment, this world would be a whole lot better off, but you can only control you.
Simen suggests we stop putting everything into perspective and start thinking about how what you are doing which is good and right.
“Stop putting it into perspective because if you put it into perspective than everything can feel small and insignificant.”
Simen Knudens
Tavaha gave me a renewed sense of energy for my work as an educator, for my research on urban marine reserves, and for pursuing a low-impact, plastic free life. We all have the opportunity to leave a positive handprint, whats yours look like?
Note: Simen Knudsen is the Founder & Chairman of Nordic Ocean Watch. They aspire to increase the energy in society for taking care of the oceans and do through action. They believe in the power that exists in everyday heroes and want to give a voice to the ocean by offering concrete solutions for taking care of the ocean. Check out their website to see more info about their amazing projects.
