Misna Mohammed Anvar
Is it possible for human beings to live without depending on another living or non – living being? Our planet is leading to a severe danger as people are more conscious of increasing their living standards without giving any concern to biodiversity. Within this state of the world, there needs to be a compassionate soul to console the incapacitated and a selfless spirit to arise their voice for the survival of many living beings. And Susan Breen is one of such inspirational human beings.
I was highly stimulated by the life of Susan Breen after my conversation with Dr George Lesli who is a writer, philanthropist, and senior general physician in Ireland. He has always inspired me with his positive and generous attitude. After our conversation, it was an eye-opener to get to know about the inspiring woman – Susan Breen, who work selflessly for the protection of biodiversity. Susan Breen was born in Ireland outside New Ross. Her first love was for horses and through her teens, she worked in show jumping yards and a riding school. Susan Breen trained for her British horse society qualifications in stable management and riding. When Dr George asked her about the influence of her mother on her, Susan Breen had a precious answer. She said that her mother was a very natural and biocentric person, who always taught her that life is precious even if it is a little bug or a tiny flower. She was always encouraged by her mother to protect life rather than taking it for granted. Those words themselves are great life lessons. Susan’s parents taught her to be obliged to acknowledge the pain of others and to always fight for what’s right even though it might seem impossible.
As a budding writer, I was deeply inspired and curious to learn more about Susan Breen and her activities as an environmentalist. One of the most foundational environmental events for Susan Breen was to participate in direct action against Monsanto when she was seventeen years old, experiencing the camaraderie of activists and seeing the deceptive tactics used by the company was an inspirational event for her. Gradually, Susan Breen became a part of many Extinction Rebellion activities. Extinction Rebellion is a global non-violent movement that stands against the government for eliminating environmental exploitation to avoid biodiversity loss and the risk of social and ecological collapse. In short, it is a non-violence movement for nature conservation. The idea of civil disobedience movement used as a weapon against the government is the significant feature of extinction rebellion. Extinction Rebellion has great importance in a world which is currently hurrying for development without giving concern to the ecosystem. Sustainable Development and Survival of species should be highly valued.
Being an Indian, it was an overwhelming feeling to know about her experience with Indian organisations. Susan worked in Indian activist groups like XR. She was also extremely happy to see the incredible community work done by the Indian families in her local area. Susan Breen represented Ireland as the extinction rebellion International coordinator for Two years and recently became involved with the Pillar Centre for Conflict Resolution, International Arbitration and Scientific Research. Her experience in Palestine is very near to her heart as she had been involved in Palestine solidarity work for many years and was also the chair of The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign in New Ross. The present situation of Gaza is heartbreaking for her as she had friends and students over there, from those who she realised the reality of their life that the Israel occupations and apartheid system in Palestine is one of the worst injustices in the world.
Susan had been involved in demonstrations in support of the Kurdish communities in Syria during the last Turkish bombardment and she is also a supporter of “make Rojava green again”. Two years ago she was involved in an XR action in Dublin, where they glued themselves to the department of climate action in protest at their scuppering of the climate emergency bills. Susan Breen has been a major part of three global days of action so far and they have been a great success. The ” Act Now” campaign was one aspect of XR’s demands for the governments globally. At an extinction rebellion event at Bloom garden festival, they went without the knowledge of the organisers and wanted to change the narrative of the event which is felt to be often used to greenwash some major companies which do not behave in an ethical and environmentally friendly way. They dressed as Adam and Eve and Distributed wildflower seeds to inform the public about the biodiversity crisis. These movements were given a very warm reception by President Higgins and Mrs Higgins, the President used their photo as his Facebook cover picture and Twitter banner after the event.
Susan Breen is a great inspirational figure for all the women around the world. Human beings like Susan Breen are one of those promising souls to the whole world because they work to protect and nurture the environment. According to the present scenario, serving love towards each and every existence requires a great heart.