Get Out

Climate change has become the hottest topic for every media outlet in recent years. We have been seeing increasing numbers of natural disasters everywhere. Scientists alerted world leaders to act fast before we face more catastrophes in the coming decades. Now more people believe that global warming is real, and more people are taking it to the street demanding climate actions.

Albeit many people discern global warming as a critical issue, some don’t see it as an immediate threat, which leaves some to stop caring about climate change. There are a plethora of personal reasons that I cannot disclose. However, I feel strongly that below three reasons cause people to alienate themselves from climate change.

Exhausted (Green Fatigue)

Media outlets have been informing about global warming for decades, and some people are afraid of the devastating impact that it will have on Earth in the future. Although many people have been convinced by this fact, many feel helpless to act on it because the problem is too huge to deal with by themselves, and some do not know what exactly they can do to fight massive wildfires or typhoons. People have been struggling to find ways of combating climate change, and they are being fed up with the global warming PSAs. Therefore, it reluctantly leaves people to do something significant in tackling climate change.

Me vs Group (Social Dilemma)

People must choose between short-term self-interest and long-term collective interest. However, a vast majority of people prioritize short-term self-interest over the latter because the outcome is tangible and benefits them immediately. On the other hand, long-term collective interests require cooperation and time within a large group. For example, commuting to work by train is much beneficial to the environment than driving a car. However, a train takes much longer commuting time and distance, and it’s much uncomfortable compared to driving a vehicle. Thus, many people choose to drive their car to commute, although car produces gas emissions. Climate change is a long-term collective interest where everyone needs to cooperate. It is hard to fully grasp the slow-moving crisis when it is not an immediate problem. Although we see more disasters, some people think these phenomenons are repeating yearly disasters, leaving them to prioritize their lives.

Disconnected (Nature Deficit Order)

People are less connected to nature and less observant as our world is becoming more urbanized. More people are spending their time indoors than outdoors. Instead of going out, people—especially children— are learning nature through their TV or smartphone screens. Exploring nature has become unnecessary to release the stress of their daily lives. The more we are attached to technologies and indoor activities, the more we are less empathetic towards the natural environment because we are out of touch with the real world.

Our lifestyle and behavior have been affecting our planet to agonize in pain. We have alienated ourselves from nature, although we have inhabited this planet for millennia. There are many viable solutions that can save our world from the crisis, such as using renewable and sustainable energy, banning plastics, reducing carbon emissions, etc. However, these are not the only solutions to prevent the earth from getting hotter. 

We have to change our mindset and behavior toward our planet, but how can we do it? 

We have to reconnect ourselves with nature. 

Nature can provide many things that benefit our health and well-being. Most importantly, people with a greater connection to nature are more likely to behave positively towards the environment. Nature gives us a reason to protect our planet. Being immersed in nature makes us realize how we as a human being is just a tiny part of the big world. Observing nature alone teaches us how this planet works and lets us see how everything in nature is interconnected and interdependent. We realize our ecosystem as a community, where every living and non-living things coexist. Getting in touch with nature gives a sense of how nature can be helpless and fragile yet can be ferocious. We can learn something valuable from nature that we cannot learn from school or YouTube. Connecting to nature makes us appreciate and value our planet’s existence and rethink our planet’s future. Thus, rebuilding the human and nature relationship is another critical solution to preserve our planet.

I grew up in a city most of my life. While watching news and documentaries about climate change, I felt distanced toward the agenda, though I know it's important. I've recently started exploring nature by camping at least once a month, and I have realized nature's compassion and sacrifices towards human activity. My view about the environment has changed, and I have started to be attentive to recycling and using fewer plastics. Being conscious about the environment doesn't need a big project to convince people to change their behaviors. Just take them out and explore nature. Let Mother Nature teach them a lesson. It is the only way to prepare spiritually before combating climate change.