Abellanosa: Saving the environment

IMAGES or pictures of garbage everywhere are common postings in social media these days. If the numbers of likes or shares are our basis, we can say that many Filipinos are ecologically conscious.

Unfortunately, it is one thing to like or share in Facebook and it is essentially different to be truly concerned. Call it online activism or social media advocacy, the point is all of these cannot and should not replace concrete measures that save the environment.

Our Constitution says it clearly: to live in a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the harmony and rhythm of nature is a right. Sadly, this provision in the Declaration of Principles and State Policies is not only verbose but also mysterious. It is like an ancient prayer that sounds powerful but – come to think of it – does not really mean anything.

Do we lack environmental advocacies? At the risk of oversimplification, I would say “no.” A number of individuals, groups, and social movements have been promoting activities and programs for the environment. In fact, Philippine jurisprudence is known for its radical defense of nature. In 1993, the Supreme Court in Oposa v. Factoran ruled in favor of inter-generational justice. Activist-lawyers are even fighting for the juridical standing of dolphins and whales in environmental cases.

There is no need to elaborate that schools have been teaching environmental awareness to pupils and students. Companies have been, as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility, organizing and promoting ecological activities: tree planting, coastal clean up, and garbage segregation. So what do we lack? Where is the gap and what is it that we have failed to do?

In 2015, Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si’. It’s an encyclical that focuses on the environment. An important assertion of the document can be summarized this way: any environmental advocacy would not succeed if not coupled with a genuine critique of the economic paradigm that has made the exploiters of the world’s resources victorious.

The world’s ecological problem is not any small wound or a scratch on the surface. It is a disease that needs a major treatment. Small, short-term, and sporadic efforts therefore may appease our consciences but they won’t have any major impact until and unless major policies are truly enforced. We can all run here and there picking up garbage. We may even print as many posters telling people to help save mother earth. But these are not the solutions. We may not even be aware that in the process of saving the environment, we further create more trash and thus, unwittingly, become part of the problem rather than the solution.

Laudato Si’ exactly describes the matter: “international arrangements and policies are weak and futile in the face of powerful financial interests.” Those who are controlling the mode of production are resistant to all political and legal efforts which seek to mitigate the destruction of nature.

So when I see children being asked to do coastal clean up, I would feel a certain kind of discomfort. It’s not that I don’t want to train the youth to be environmentally conscious. One, consciousness and awareness are products of social evolution. It would take years before an environmentally aware citizenry would translate their thoughts to a tangible paradise. Two (and more importantly), the causes of ecological destruction are complex. We need more coherent and concentrated strategies. Good intentions are not enough.

At the core of our ecological crisis is the deficiency in our governance. Sadly, we have a government whose priority is the extermination of people rather than the promotion of human wellbeing or the quality of life.

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