EDITORS DESK
I’m not a religious person. I’m also not the type who will post Bible verses on my social media accounts. This past Lent week, however, I was able to do some “spring cleaning” of the multiple email accounts I have. In the process of sorting my Environment Section email inbox, I had what experts call “eco-anxiety.”
Aimee Oliveros, engagement lead and Luzon coordinator of the Climate Reality Project Philippines, wrote that eco-anxiety is “characterized as the overwhelming feelings of fear and worry about climate change impacts and the effects of extreme disasters and weather events, affecting our way of life and daily functioning. It can also be associated with feelings of guilt about our actions that impact the environment, as well as feelings of helplessness, and even hopelessness in fighting climate change.”
If you see my inbox, it is filled with the words “climate crisis,” “marine disaster,” “environmental collapse,” “biodiversity challenge,” etc. Stories, photos, video links are replete with horror stories on how mankind’s activity has destroyed our one and only home. Again, I’m not a religious person but I suddenly had the urge to utter a prayer for our planet. I don’t know if it’s too early for me to have a mid-life crisis but I was filled with fear for the future, guilt for some trash-throwing incidents I did when I was younger, and regret for not doing much more for the environment.
I felt privileged that in my unique position as Manila Bulletin’s Environment and Sustainability editor, I could use this platform to amplify more messages for the planet. But, at the end of the day and after much reflection, I felt inadequate. The climate crisis challenge is so colossal that I, alone, couldn’t even make a dent to demolish all the misconceptions and misinformation about saving the planet.
How much more the others? How about the solitary forest ranger guarding hectares of a virgin forest? The coast guard patrolling millions of miles of waters replete with marine life? Or members of an indigenous tribe saving their ancestral land from unsustainable mining? It would be too preposterous of me to claim awareness of their plight as I don’t feel their fear as they hold on to the last remaining natural resources we have. The least I could do is to know them and tell their stories.
With all these eco-anxiety inducing incidents, what can one do to counter it? Aimee asked co-members of her group on tips how to cope with eco-anxiety. I’m sharing some of it here in the hope that you will be able to take it “one-day/ one-moment” at a time and reflect on how we, as part of this planet, can do our share.
From Ana Michaela Reyes: “Exploring my core through meditation and reflection exercises helps me in dealing with eco-anxiety. Connecting my body and soul with nature helps me be grounded and feel deep empathy for each creature. In the battle against climate change, there is no single bullet to solve all of the problems associated with it. More so, it is not up to a single human being to save the world. Our individual selves may seem negligible to the vast sea of problems but concerted efforts and a community of like-minded individuals can surely create ripples of change — little by little, slowly but surely.”
From Nicole Limlengco: “Breathe. When things get overwhelming, it's okay to take a step back. Use what you have. You don't have to go and buy the latest eco-friendly product. Making full use of the things you have right now is perfectly fine. Switching and maintaining a new lifestyle doesn't have to be all or nothing. Taking baby steps is the key to sanity. Start with the little things such as bringing a packed lunch to school or work instead of always ordering or eating out; use any refillable container for your drinks, bring your own eco-bag or container when shopping, etc.”
From Rey Sario: “Living a simple lifestyle is excellent for our health. It is beneficial to our physical and mental health. Staying connected with nature is very important and relaxing. It helps me value what is there and thank the Creator for what I have. I am blessed, alive, and enthusiastic.”
(Johannes L. Chua is editor of the Environment and Sustainability section.)