While watching the video towards the beginning the
narrator notes how the river island could be completely submerged within the
next 15-20 years. My first reaction was, so what? Why should I care?
Is that not just natural processes that go along with global warming causing the water to rise? Not just this river island but many other communities are going to be affected, it’s inevitable isn’t it? I found myself first of all chastising myself because how can I as an anthropology student be so callous? I think overtime we learn about all of these problems in the world such as hunger, human trafficking, environmental issues, etc. that there is some desensitization that sets in. With all of these things wrong in the world, what can I possibly do? I am just one person and know nothing about the particular histories or experiences that have constructed these problems as so. Part of the struggle is keeping the relevance and passion in sight and on fire. It is this very kind of hopelessness that causes people to give up before they even really have a chance to make a difference. Coincidentally enough I found an article this weekend that kind of reflects an ethos that would embody this kind of thinking. If this becomes the new vogue then where will that leave us? Secondly I realized that that is not the first thought or first question an activist asks. I think an anthropologist and an activist wouldn't care so much about what the science on the matter says. In its authoritative and utterly hopeless tone it tells us that global warming is happening whether we want it to or not and it is going to destroy the planet. Instead, they would focus on the people. Their lived experiences are what make any matter worthwhile. It is about connecting to others’ humanity that allows us to be powerful and impassioned for their cause as well as our own. Besides, who are we to decide what is natural and what is not? The Forest Man comments that the only monsters on earth are humans and I would have to concur. Through our ability to construct realities that justify and perpetuate systems of oppression and disempowerment, we damage everything.
Is that not just natural processes that go along with global warming causing the water to rise? Not just this river island but many other communities are going to be affected, it’s inevitable isn’t it? I found myself first of all chastising myself because how can I as an anthropology student be so callous? I think overtime we learn about all of these problems in the world such as hunger, human trafficking, environmental issues, etc. that there is some desensitization that sets in. With all of these things wrong in the world, what can I possibly do? I am just one person and know nothing about the particular histories or experiences that have constructed these problems as so. Part of the struggle is keeping the relevance and passion in sight and on fire. It is this very kind of hopelessness that causes people to give up before they even really have a chance to make a difference. Coincidentally enough I found an article this weekend that kind of reflects an ethos that would embody this kind of thinking. If this becomes the new vogue then where will that leave us? Secondly I realized that that is not the first thought or first question an activist asks. I think an anthropologist and an activist wouldn't care so much about what the science on the matter says. In its authoritative and utterly hopeless tone it tells us that global warming is happening whether we want it to or not and it is going to destroy the planet. Instead, they would focus on the people. Their lived experiences are what make any matter worthwhile. It is about connecting to others’ humanity that allows us to be powerful and impassioned for their cause as well as our own. Besides, who are we to decide what is natural and what is not? The Forest Man comments that the only monsters on earth are humans and I would have to concur. Through our ability to construct realities that justify and perpetuate systems of oppression and disempowerment, we damage everything.
So the question we’re supposed to answer, what
change is needed in the world that only I can make? I honestly have no idea.
When I think of making changes they are things on a larger scale like starting
a program in my community or reaching out and contributing to an already
existing organization. However, these are things that anyone can do, not just
me. Oftentimes I’ve noticed that people that do make a lot of change for a
particular cause have some immediately friend or family member that is affected
by it or they've experienced it themselves in their lifetime. I have had the
fortune of growing up “problem free” so I do not have any deep or intensive
experiences on that front. If I did, I wouldn't have such ambivalence towards
environmental issues. I put problem free in quotes because while I have not had
anything traumatic happen, environmental changes are reflected in our everyday
lives on a very subtle, insidious level. I think it is a simple matter of
looking for them. As far as my own personal impact I do try and recycle as much
as possible. Overall impact is affected by the decisions each individual makes
in their daily lives. Clearly, this is not enough so as to what further steps
to take, I am unsure.
It is always hard to come up with something that you can do to help better the environment. I just look for the little things and then start there. Also spreading the word and getting people excited about the little things is a great thing to do too. Just some tips, but good job overall!
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