Alminaza: Healing the earth, healing the sick

IN THE past weeks, netizens of various social media platforms have been sharing photos and videos of seemingly good news for the environment in the midst of the quarantine being implemented in Luzon and various provinces in Visayas and Mindanao due to rising cases of Covid-19. In urban areas usually clouded by haze, for example, a clear skyline was finally being seen thanks to the lack of pollutants in the air. The same has also been happening in other countries, with wildlife reportedly crowding into developed areas that are currently not teeming with human activity.

Because of these, many were quick to point out that perhaps the coronavirus pandemic is a way by which nature is healing itself - a kind of mechanism to fight off a virus that has been plaguing it: humans.

This is quite problematic. While the earth is most certainly taking a break from the toll of economic activity, it is not right to glamorize a disease that has taken the lives of many, placed grave burden upon healthcare workers, and caused panic and sowed sorrow to millions more. Even the measures that governments had to take, including the quarantine and reduction of available mass transportation, amplified the problems of hunger and lack of access to basic resources that the poorest among us have long been suffering.

To welcome or even embrace the pandemic because of its temporary ‘benefits’ to nature not only fails to consider the plight of those bearing the brunt of the crisis, it could also lead us to forget, even for a moment, the real problems we are facing.

Because even now when there are less pollutants in the air and less trash on the streets, the earth continues to groan, and we must listen to her as stewards appointed by our Creator. And right now, the groaning comes from the poor and vulnerable who are most burdened by the pandemic.

The environmentalism we fight for as stewards of Creation is something to reflect upon at this time when many of us are staying in the comforts of our homes. When interviewed regarding her petition to move climate strikes online in light of Covid-19, young Swedish climate advocate Greta Thunberg explained that it is to show that “we still stand in solidarity with those in risk groups, and I think that is a very beautiful thing.” Taking the cue from our youth, then, we realize that to care for the Earth is to care for our fellow men and women, especially those who are most vulnerable, because we too are part of nature.

It is also a matter worth noting that the climate strikes continue even through online means, because the problems that need addressing persist even in the midst of this crisis. The urgency of addressing the climate crisis has not mellowed even with the temporary drop of emissions. We still have roughly ten years left to demand action to limit global temperature rise before it goes to levels with even more extreme impacts. Most importantly, large polluters such as proponents of coal-fired power plants and fossil fuel extraction projects continue to be responsible for dirtying our air, land, and water - and we must be steadfast in demanding for their accountability. All these we can do through virtual means for now, and soon side by side with our brothers and sisters once more when circumstances no longer require our physical distance.

Let us continue to hope for healing - of nature and of our people alike.