What is a Tree Hugger?

WHAT IS A TREE HUGGER?

"The term 'tree hugger' was first coined 1730, when 294 men and 69 women of the Bishnois branch of Hinduism, physically clung, or 'hugged' the trees in their village in order to prevent them from being used to build a palace. These 'tree huggers' were then killed by the foresters cutting down the trees. However, their lives were not lost in vain. A royal decree was established that outlawed any trees to be chopped down in Bishnoi villages."

"This heroic Bishnois movement inspired another similar movement in 1974 in Uttar Pradesh, India, where a group of peasant women hugged trees and used themselves as a physical barrier to protect trees from being cut down. This practice became known as 'tree satyagraha' and spread throughout India, culminating to the Chipko (meaning 'to cling') movement. This movement forced deforestation reforms and greatly affected the trees in the Himalayan region." (1)

Today, many right-winged, conservative, small-minded individuals use the term Tree Hugger disparagingly.  These anti-environmentalists tend to be against all things good, and stand up for anything that's harmful to the environment; oil drilling, fracking, coal mining, use of toxic chemicals, etc.  It's as if they want to destroy our planet.  It's hard to determine if they just don't care, or they don't understand.  Either way, we -- those of us who do get it -- must stand up to, and always fight the good fight against these individuals; this is not a passive role that we take.

So, we Tree Huggers must join forces, spread the word, speak truth to power, and continue fighting the good fight. Be proud of your love for trees, and bees, and Earth, and all she has to share.  Let's own this title bestowed upon us.  I am a Tree Hugger, and I am Proud.  Long live the Tree Huggers!

Sources:

(1) - Nguyen, Lauren. Green Grounds at UVA : https://greengroundsatuva.wordpress.com/2014/03/24/tree-hugger-origins-of-the-term/