Initiation Towards Change

The deterioration of the environment and global warming are the unending issues we face as part of mankind. Considering massive dissemination through mass media and academic institutions, we are equipped with enough knowledge to understand these familiar irregularities. But, merely understanding is not a concern. It is only through good results that we can truly appreciate what we know. Yes, we may be on the smart side, but does our side coincides with initiation?
Every morning, I pass by sidewalks with piles of wrappers and trashes from the previous day. It’s not as if those people who threw the trashes are not aware that we are not supposed to just throw trash anywhere. We were informed since kindergarten the definition of cleanliness as a virtue. This left me wondering what might be lacking. Surely, ignorance is to be crossed out. So, what might be missing? We know for a fact that styroware is harmful for the environment yet only some refrain from using it. I may sound preaching but I’m guilty as well. With this, concluding might be easier. I personally do not refrain from using it because of the convenience it offers and thinking that my part won’t hurt. This might be in the same line of thinking with those who threw trashes on sidewalks. “My part’s small enough to not hurt.” This might be what the people form the other parts of Luzon are thinking, might be the same as well as the mindset of the people from the other side of the earth. “My part’s small enough not to hurt.”
With this, realization and a dilemma arises. Everybody’s concerned with the big thing yet unmindful of the small roles they play in the bigger picture. There’s no denying that we care but the problem is we overlook what should matter to us. The documentary Signos informed us of the details of the big picture, what the problem is, what causes it and small things we can do. For me figures and statistics presented are impressive but the one with the most impact is the information on the small things I can do. I am not expected to just merely understand, I have an action to make.
So what can be done? Many just feel fear on knowing the possibilities. But what will matter is what we can do and we should start it as soon as we can. The damage to our environment had been fatal. Its effect on us is destructive. Tomorrow might be too late and big steps maybe too hard to make. As a start, we can always initiate the change on ourselves. We can start saving energy, avoiding usage of harmful materials, throwing trash in proper places, do things we were told to do since childhood. These things may be simple but the effect can be big enough to change the outcome shown in Signos. We should stop thinking that our part is small and start being sensitive to every thing we do. Then after initiation on ourselves, initiating changes on others is the next step. These may include altering law on usage of some materials on our respective countries, initiating reduction of carbon dioxide emission and tightening rules on protection of the environment. These things may seem big and this is where the role of leaders takes place. Their influence reaches far and we can use it to sway people into change.
Looking on what can be done, the solution to a possible disaster seems to be possible only through joint efforts of those in power and us, ordinary citizens. This can be disheartening if we are to look at the priorities of the leaders we have. But, through only remembering of the definition of initiation can we see hope. We can start it, and what we would do may always be the beginning of a history of world saving change.


(Myria Hertz D. Cernechez)