Staying Alive

Daryl Jumar L. Calapre

2006-49560

B.S. Civil Engineering

There’s a popular saying in the Visayas that gives an optimistic response to the unpredictability of the weather. It claims that rain on a sunny day predisposes a celebration or fiesta in heaven. However, given the changes in the weather conditions today, weird natural occurrences may not always be as heart warming. I, like most of the people on planet Earth, have been a victim to such natural absurdity.

When enumerating Mother Nature’s atrocities, one could not forget the Guinsaugon landslide. It’s different when you watch the incident on the television than getting to see it happen around you. I come from Southern Leyte and although Guinsaugon is miles away from our town, we still can’t help being alarmed. Everyone gossiped about what happened. Everyone had his/her own speculation and some even attribute it to the apocalypse. For months, the rain gently but daily poured on us. Even when it’s sunny, it also rained. This didn’t become an issue until a series of landslides occurred in the province. From then on, rain stroke fear among us and sent us into silent prayers that the mountains would not roll over our town too. And maybe for the rest of us who were spared, a lesson had been learned. Something was definitely wrong and it needed action.

The issue of global warming may strike for some people as being alarmist and after watching “SIGNOS: Banta ng Nagbabagong Klima,” I don’t see any reason for not being concerned. It’s quite depressing seeing what other people have to go through in the midst of climate change. For us who are more auspicious, getting the better part of life must not be a setback towards acting out on this issue of the environment.

The first thing we should probably do is to inform the populace of the prevalence of global warming. As I have seen in the documentary, many people, especially in the remote areas, attribute natural catastrophes to the wrath of God. I don’t think this is a good way of looking at nature. It only heightens fear and undermines the people’s capacity to do something about it (since we are but tiny dust compared to God). I think it’s about time that people should realize that there is indeed a “butterfly effect” in every act we take. In every deed we do, good or bad, there is a corresponding consequence. Prior to finding ways to help the environment, people should know and understand the presence of environmental problems just like global warming. In this way, they would know the immensity of such crisis and the urgency to take action.

When I took the quiz for finding my Carbon Footprint, I was actually surprised to see the results. If everyone lived like me (which is weird), only 55 percent of Earth will be utilized. However, looking at my lifestyle right now, I don’t really think I’m doing a great job at living sustainably. It sank into me that there are people who live far worse than I am (in the aspect of living sustainably). However, this idea didn’t inhibit my judgment; instead it challenged me to double my efforts in contributing to the efforts of nurturing nature. If other people can’t do it, then I should compensate in some way for what they miss. Cliché as it sounds; I believe change starts with the self. Everyone should really practice conscientious living. Earthmen should influence each other to live not at the expense of Earth itself.

Global warming may just be an idea made by some paranoid, but it’s always a good idea to care for the planet. After all, the ultimate victim of our actions isn’t our surroundings but ourselves. Our existence is at stake here.