This is an insight written by Meredith Friedland on the recent Bahá’í Chair for the World Peace Conference, “Global Climate Crisis: Seeking Environmental Justice and Climate Equality” held on September 2, 2021.
After hundreds of years of industrialization, deforestation, and polluting our planet, it falls on this generation to try and save it. Now that climate change is causing tangible effects in our lives that cannot be ignored, plans are being put into place about what can be done to try and slow down the rapid warming of the atmosphere.
Professor Radoslav Dimitrov mentioned that climate change affects all of our societies at the same time. This stood out to me because the world has always seemed so large, each nation worried about the power and well-being of their individual country. The idea that different global forces would come together and try to save the planet was a powerful idea. A comforting idea. But part of me asks, is it too late?
Countries are obligated to take action but have the freedom of choosing how they want to act. Until world leaders’ backs are against the walls will they put their country’s power or financial interests aside to prioritize the world’s health? Do adults who are likely to have passed by the time climate change really becomes prevalent really have the best interest of the Earth at heart? More and more the pressure to find a solution is being put on the younger generation, kids who weren’t necessarily raised talking about or thinking about the environment.
Professor Byron Williston connected the psychology of people and how it relates to the well-being of the world. Children learn their values from their experiences and the people they are surrounded by. Will our generation be instilled with the understanding of the importance of slowing the warming of our planet? Will they have the passion to make a change?
I believe part of taking care of yourself and your personal well-being includes putting yourself in a healthy and stable environment. How can we grow into the best version of ourselves when the world around us is falling apart? Part of building ourselves up is by building up the home around us. One person can’t build back up this Earth, one country can’t build back up this Earth, when are a majority of the individuals across the world going to decide when it’s time to prioritize saving our planet?
Learning to build your own connection with your surroundings or even forming respect for other people’s connections is crucial to creating a change that’s more effective than global policies that are not enforced. Each of us has a different connection to the Earth. However, water is a crucial part of life that connects us all. All of us rely on water to live but some cultures have a connection that is more spiritual and appreciative of this resource.
Professor Karletta Chief highlighted the importance of water to the Native Americans and to their culture. The respect and appreciation for the Earth that Native Americans have is something I think everyone should learn from. If people form a connection or greater understanding of the Earth’s resources we take for granted then maybe the need to save it would be more emergent.
Professor Radoslav Dimitrov, Professor Byron Williston, and Professor Karletta Chief all caused me to reflect on my own relationship with the environment. They presented a call to action that I feel compelled to answer. Although I am only one person, I have the ability to instill my passion in those around me as well as the generation to follow. Climate change is going to continue to progress, and the effects will continue to worsen. It is our duty to promote this call to action and encourage those around us to understand the urgency surrounding this problem.
About the Author:
Meredith is a junior at the University of Maryland majoring in Marketing and minoring in Technology Entrepreneurship. After college, she hopes to travel the world and learn more about different countries and cultures. Meredith wants to combine her interest in business with her passion for helping others.