The current and prospective climatic urgency calls for more reflection and awareness on what drives our self-destructive practices. Preserving the rich biodiversity to sustain the existence of living beings, human and non-human, entails a revision of our approach and use of the natural environment. In this article, I will help define and explain how Indigenous knowledge can participate in overcoming the challenges brought by the current overarching system, directly relying on Western science.

Western world: a system with limits

As of today, Western science is the dominant scientific paradigm and is used as evidence for major decision-making on management and use of natural resources. Western science is based on the apprehension of the natural world as both an independent and objective reality, suggesting nature to be an external entity meant to be subjected to human control and exploitation. The Western epistemology promotes a clear nature/culture binary. As fiercely argued by the influential philosophers Paul Feyerabend and Bruno Latour, Western science, focused on value-neutrality and use of a precise scientific method, happens to have a limited and rather narrow understanding of the world, thereby hindering the generation of sustainable solutions for the environmental urgency.  The renowned anthropologist and philosopher Philippe Descola further contributed to the understanding of the relationship between humans and the natural world. Descola reports that this Western duality is also established through the use of a specific terminology. The word “nature”, for instance, is nothing but a metaphysic ideology developed and popularized by occidentals and Europeans to accentuate the distinction between humans and its surrounding environment. Philippe Descola shed light on the nature/culture division implied by Western science, and used it as a starting point to discuss an ontological shift. In his argument, he especially referred to Indigenous communities that unite humans and non-humans in equal and interlinked relations. 

Indigenous knowledge as an alternative approach

The term “Indigenous people” emerged quite recently, in the seventies, due to the American Indian Movement (AIM) and the Canadian Indian Brotherhood, who spearheaded movements for rights and acknowledgement. Indigenous knowledge refers to the unique and collective wisdom, practices, and beliefs that have been developed and passed down through generations by Indigenous peoples, encompassing their deep understanding of the natural world, culture, spirituality, and sustainable ways of living. Although Indigenous knowledge varies widely across cultures and traditions, the idea of interlinkage is a common thread. This knowledge is rooted in a cosmology that recognizes the interconnectedness of life, considering nature as a sacred entity and humans as an integral part of it. It has specific understandings of natural resources, ecosystem services, biodiversity, climate, and weather patterns, often passed down from generation to generation through oral traditions, ceremonies, and daily practices. Indigenous communities are often better positioned than scientists to provide information on local biodiversity and environmental changes, and they make significant contributions to biodiversity governance at both local and global levels. According to contemporary theorists, Indigenous approaches offer a solution to the limitations specific to Western science and call for a deeper consideration of unsustainable degradation. By replicating Indigenous practices, we can create more diverse and resilient ecosystems that are better able to withstand environmental stresses. In the end, it’s all about finding the right balance of the environment to ensure sustainability for all living and non-living beings.  

Image credits: Quang Nguyen Vinh

Some applications of Indigenous knowledge:

In theory, Indigenous knowledge appears to be a promising addition to Western science. But in practice? Is it really affecting/changing anything? Let me briefly tell you about the paper that inspired me to write this article and illustrate my above explanations. 

The text “Pacific Walruses, Indigenous Hunters, and Climate Change: Bridging Scientific and Indigenous Knowledge” discusses the merging of these two schools of thought in a practical way. Through this article, we understand that it clearly stands as an effective solution to comprehend and efficiently address climate change issues. Indigenous knowledge of walruses is rooted in thousands of years of hunting, allowing for an immersive understanding of their life cycle, mating habits, and ethnographic uses. Western scientists, on the other side, only began studying Pacific walruses in the mid-19th century and their methods were not as first-hand as those of Indigenous hunters. While Western scientists have identified only one species, the Pacific walrus, Indigenous hunters have identified two: the northern walrus which migrates north with the sea ice, and the southern walrus which remains near St. Lawrence Island. The misidentification of walrus species can lead to significant problems when examining the impact of their bioturbation on the Beringian ecosystem. As a result of climate change, southern walruses are moving closer to land due to the melting sea ice. However, researchers are unprepared to address the potential consequences of massive bioturbation on the ocean environment near the shore. The absence of direct observation and hands-on experience poses a significant obstacle in comprehending not just the Pacific walruses themselves but also their ecological communities. Consequently, Indigenous knowledge plays a vital role in the scientific examination of climate change impacts due to its profound understanding and awareness of the conditions relative to particular environments.

This example, describing the valuable use of indigenous knowledge to protect and sustain our planet, is one among others. 

For instance, the Bambuti-Babuluko community, situated in the Democratic Republic of Congo is already actively involved in protecting one of the last remaining expanses of primary tropical forest in Central Africa. In Iran as well, the semi-nomadic Balouch of Chahdegal are responsible for monitoring more than 580,000 hectares of delicate shrublands and deserts. And lastly, in the Canadian Arctic, Inuit leaders are working towards the restoration of caribou herds, which have experienced a significant decline in numbers during the past years. 

To conclude this line of thoughts and examples, by bridging these knowledge systems, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of complex environmental systems, and develop a more respectful and caring relationship with the planet. We must show a willingness to adapt, learn about, and try to understand the functionality of nature from a place of respect, rather than from a place of colonization.  Indigenous communities have a unique and invaluable perspective on the natural world, and we must work together to learn from and replicate their knowledge.

References

Dawson, E. (2014). Who’s Asking? Native Science, Western Science, and Science Education. Journal of Science Communication, 13(03). https://doi.org/10.22323/2.13030702

Healy, C. (2012). Prince of Networks: Bruno Latour and Metaphysics. Journal of Cultural Economy, 5(1), 131–134. https://doi.org/10.1080/17530350.2012.640563

Hooker, C. A. (1975). Philosophy and meta-philosophy of science: Empiricism, popperianism and realism. Synthese, 32(1-2), 177–231. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00485116

Krupnik, I., & Ray, G. C. (2007). Pacific walruses, indigenous hunters, and climate change: Bridging scientific and indigenous knowledge. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 54(23-26), 2946–2957. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2007.08.011

Kuby, D. (2020). Decision-Based Epistemology: sketching a systematic framework of Feyerabend’s metaphilosophy. Synthese, 199(1-2), 3271–3299. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-020-02934-3

Philippe Descola. (2020, February 1). Philippe Descola: “La nature, ca n’existe pas” [Interview]. In Reporterre. https://reporterre.net/Philippe-Descola-La-nature-ca-n-existe-pas

Treiblmaier, H. (2018). The Philosopher’s Corner. ACM SIGMIS Database: The DATABASE for Advances in Information Systems, 49(2), 93–101. https://doi.org/10.1145/3229335.3229342

As a kid, I would swim in the sea every day, and it was like entering a magical world. I would spend hours exploring the diverse sea creatures and marveling at their beauty. However, as I got older and swam in the sea less often, I noticed that the fauna and flora were significantly decreasing. The once vibrant sea that I remembered was now dull and lifeless. Looking back, I realized that this was due to overfishing and environmental degradation. It was a sad realization that made me appreciate the importance of protecting our oceans.

The Challenge

Overfishing is a serious problem that is contributing to the depletion of fish populations in our oceans. The root cause of overfishing is simple – we are catching fish faster than they can reproduce. As a result, many species of fish are in danger of becoming extinct or already are, and this has wide-ranging consequences for both the environment and the people who depend on fishing for their livelihoods.

Another problem caused by overfishing is the use of destructive fishing methods, such as electric pulse fishing or bottom trawling. The latter technique involves dragging a weighted net across the ocean floor, which not only catches large amounts of fish but also destroys habitats like coral reefs and seagrass beds. In an attempt to maintain profitability in the fishery sector, such destructive methods have been employed to capture the same amount of fish as in the past, despite the declining fish population. This can have a cascading effect on the entire ecosystem, as these habitats provide shelter and food for many other species of marine life.

Bycatch is also an unfortunate consequence of overfishing, where non-target species are unintentionally caught in fishing gear. This includes endangered species, but also various marine mammals, and even juvenile fish. The indiscriminate nature of certain fishing methods, such as large nets, electric currents, and longlines, increases the risk of bycatch. The accidental capture and subsequent mortality of these endangered species further exacerbate their already precarious status. Bycatch not only threatens the survival of these vulnerable species but also disrupts the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.

The effects of overfishing are far-reaching. One of the most obvious impacts is the decline in fish populations that we can all observe when enjoying our vacation by the seaside. This not only affects the species themselves but also has a ripple effect throughout the entire ecosystem. For example, when predator fish populations decline, this can lead to an increase in the populations of smaller fish, which can, in turn, affect the food web. The loss of fish populations also has a significant economic impact, as many people depend on fishing for their income. This can be particularly devastating for small-scale fishermen who lack the resources to find other sources of income.

How to Combat Overfishing

To address the problem of overfishing, we need to implement strict policies and ensure sustainable fishing practices. The first policy that should be implemented is setting limits on the amount of fish caught but also their size and age. Then, we need to ensure that fishing methods are not destructive to the environment and promote responsible fishing practices that focus on the ecosystem with catch-and-release methods. For such policies to be effective and possible to control we would need to develop a method to guarantee the transparency of both governments and the companies.

In addition to those essential policies, there are also steps that we, as citizens, can take. Raising public awareness about the issue and the significance of making informed choices is crucial; particularly when it comes to selecting fish that adheres to regulatory size limits and originates from sustainable fishing practices. Citizens should also support local, small-scale fishermen who follow sustainable fishing practices and promote their products in the market. Another possible step citizens could make is participating in community-led initiatives and campaigns that raise awareness about overfishing and advocate for sustainable fishing practices. By taking these steps, we can help protect our oceans and the millions of people who depend on them for their livelihoods.

Together, let’s protect our oceans and preserve their magic for future generations. Combatting overfishing requires strict policies, sustainable practices, and informed choices from both governments and individuals. By raising awareness, supporting local fishermen, and participating in community initiatives, we can make a significant impact. Join hands with your local community or NGO to safeguard our seas and ensure a harmonious coexistence with the treasures they hold.

Daniel Grizelj/Getty Images https://hbr.org/2020/02/why-de-growth-shouldnt-scare-businesses

Degrowth

Degrowth, coined by the French economist in the 1970s, is a planned process of slowing down development and shifting the focus to the things that matter to the quality of people’s lives. The term came to be because we have realized that the conventional way of measuring development and economic growth has many flaws that it does not measure what people actually need. Therefore, through Degrowth, we hope to achieve a steady economic state which is in harmony with nature, reduce the use of excess energy and resource use, where decisions are made together, and wealth is equitably shared. 

Bottom-up change is already happening

For the energy and resource use to not go beyond the planet’s carrying capacity, Degrowth promotes producing less and consuming less. The idea of reducing production and the consumerism movement has already begun for consumers. For example, back in 2017, the movement of flight shame took off in Sweden and spread to the rest of the world. The aim was to call people’s attention to the climate impact of flying, as well as promote the lifestyle of traveling by alternative means. It is shown that, for example, traveling by train on the same route could cut the carbon emission by 80% than traveling by plane. The movement also achieved incredibly huge impacts on the aviation industry, in Sweden, the airports reported a decline in the number of passengers in 2017, and 23% of the Swedish people said that they have reduced their travel by plane in 2018 in a survey. Shows the contributions to the degrowth process from the consumers.

ESG- environment, social, and governance

Consumers can start the movement to reduce their consumption, but for most businesses, the idea of Degrowth is definitely undesirable. The anti-capitalists and anti-consumerism roots encompassed in the concept of Degrowth have made it to be on the opposite side of what most businesses pursue. Businesses also have a different view on the environment and social impacts, as indicated by classical microeconomics, what influences people’s lives are merely considered to be the externalities. 

Nevertheless, with the pressure from everywhere regarding sustainability, many companies are trying to take into consideration some aspects that measure and show their attention to sustainability and social just. New ways of evaluating the performance of a company were emerging, for example, the ESG indicators which stand for environment, social, and governance gained momentum for the past decades. ESG stands for a set of criteria measuring the impact in these areas within and beyond a company. Companies of different sizes and at different geological locations are trying to improve their ESGs by putting more attention and resource into them in recent years. ESG differs for each company, but the general steps are for example, identifying the impacts, setting goals and developing strategies, and finally implementing them. 

Even though most companies now have some types of ESG reviews, they are not standardized and are still a work in progress. Consequently, we cannot obtain a coherent overview of what these indicators actually encompass, nor can we compare the degree of sustainability between companies. Furthermore, from the perspective of companies, the existing methods like ESG primarily serve to aid the company’s strategy, assess potential risks, and manage reputation. For this purpose, it is hard to imagine that they will prioritize non-financial values like sustainability and well-being over profits. Also, due to the variation of standards, ESGs are more considered as a company’s internal evaluation with the specific purpose aforementioned, questioning the subjectivity and the ability to address the issues regarding the planetary boundaries and well-being if they are not in favor of the company. 

Other concerns regarding ESGs also question their effectiveness. While we are mentioning the goal of meeting human needs within the planetary boundaries, some ESG investors don’t understand what planetary boundaries are. Additionally, many ESG introductory sites are filled with words like “address the externalities” and “achieve societal impact and ancillary financial benefits”. Therefore, there is still a long way for companies themselves and the investors to take responsibility and invest real attention and resources to deal with the environmental and social impacts they made in processes like overproducing and endless expansion. 

What about businesses

Due to the nature of companies, they would like to expand and develop. If we wait for the companies to realize their responsibility towards the environment and society, and evaluate it on their own, the focus cannot escape the problem of putting profit in the first place. It will not do much help because we cannot properly address the issues in the current system if the purpose of the evaluation is not even about the issues. When a company still addresses what influences our quality of life, like environment, welfare, and equality as externalities, they will probably treat the whole ESG process as greenwash and paperwork. It shows that if we really want to make a change from the companies’ side, shifting the focus from economic growth is essential, which corresponds to the ideas in a Degrowth economy.

Once they would like to measure people’s prosperity from from what they refer to as externalities now, businesses should not fear degrowth anymore. “Instead of selling more, they sell better”, businesses that accept and develop this sustainable, degrowth idea can have a lot of potential and opportunities to make a real change. Like what we did with substituting flights for trains, and meat for meat substitutes, there are opportunities for businesses to develop and do their best towards a different goal respecting the planetary boundaries and improving well-being. 

References

Harrisson, Thomas. (2019, January 30). How “aggressive” railway expansion could cut emissions in eight charts. Carbon Brief. https://www.carbonbrief.org/eight-charts-show-how-aggressive-railway-expansion-could-cut-emissions/

Kopnina, H., & Benkert, J. (2022). Critical Evaluation of Sustainable Development Goals and Circular Economy in (Business) Education: Reflections on a Long-Term Sustainability Strategy of Degrowth. In M. Öztürk (Ed.), Engagement with Sustainable Development in Higher Education: Universities as Transformative Spaces for Sustainable Futures (pp. 51–65). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07191-1_4

O’Neill, D. W. (2012). Measuring progress in the degrowth transition to a steady state economy. Ecological Economics, 84, 221–231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2011.05.020

Pérez, L., Hunt, V., & Samandari, H. (n.d.). ESG is essential for companies to maintain their social license | McKinsey. Retrieved May 18, 2023, from https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/sustainability/our-insights/does-esg-really-matter-and-why#/

Roulet, T., & Bothello, J. (2020, February 14). Why “De-growth” Shouldn’t Scare Businesses. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2020/02/why-de-growth-shouldnt-scare-businesses

Timperley, J. (n.d.). Why ‘flight shame’ is making people swap planes for trains. Retrieved May 19, 2023, from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190909-why-flight-shame-is-making-people-swap-planes-for-trains

Urso, F., & John, M. (2022, August 8). Analysis: Climate change, scarcity chip away at degrowth taboo. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/climate-change-scarcity-chip-away-degrowth-taboo-2022-08-08/

During my first trip to Norway earlier this year, I had the pleasure of experiencing many unforgettable moments, including witnessing the breathtaking northern lights, driving through a fierce blizzard, and admiring the stunning fjords. However, there was one particular moment that left me feeling uneasy. While dining at a small village restaurant in the north of the country, I was taken aback by the availability of whale soup on the menu. As someone who is deeply committed to environmental conservation and biodiversity, this cultural practice of whaling left me questioning its impact on the environment.

Why Hunt Whales?

After years of depleting whale populations, the international community took a stance against whaling. In 1986, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) banned commercial whaling, but some countries such as Norway, Japan, and Iceland continue to hunt whales citing cultural reasons. Norway claims it is a tradition dating back to the 9th century, while Japan hunts whales primarily for their culinary and maritime traditions. Iceland has pledged to end commercial whaling by 2024, but it remains to be seen if they will follow through. This discussion only pertains to commercial whaling by these three countries, not whaling for subsistence by smaller, local, and indigenous communities.

Every society has the right to its cultural heritage and to maintain these traditions. Many of the world’s current and historical conflicts arise when culture is oppressed or overtaken by other powers. So it is certainly worth looking into whether these cultural practices really can or should be ceased in the name of the environment.

Whale Image

But first – why is whaling considered an unacceptable practice by most members of the international community?

Whales act as extremely integral components of marine ecosystems, acting as keystone species that balance the food web and whose feces fertilize the phytoplankton that produce most of the world’s oxygen (and absorb quite a bit of carbon as well). When their population is severely diminished as a result of large-scale hunting, biodiversity loss and climate change can and will escalate. Pregnant whales are also more often killed, because they travel slower and keep close to the coastline. This level of whale-hunting has resulted in a decline in the overall whale population, making it an entirely unsustainable practice.

Phytoplankton Image

So what do we do when maintaining our traditions comes at the cost of the environment – especially in the age of climate change? 

There have been attempts to resolve this culture vs. environment conflict. The IUCN has developed a CEM Cultural Practices and Ecosystem Management Thematic Group that aims to understand cultural practices and evolve them in ways that do not degrade the environment. They point out that culture encompasses more than just art and literature, including spiritual, material, intellectual, and emotional characteristics of a society or social group. This also includes lifestyles, ways of coexisting, belief systems, traditions, and values. They argue that culture should be able to adapt and change over time to reflect our changing societal values – and I would agree with this. If society can evolve in its acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights, the liberation of women, and the rejection of racist practices like blackface, why can’t it do the same for the environment?

My fear is the risk of eco-imperialism where traditional practices are replaced with more sustainable practices by leading environmental countries, which could replicate colonial dynamics. But, if cultural changes are developed locally, there’s potential to solve the problem. Global South countries facing climate change are not the concern; it’s the affluent Global North countries that are stuck in consumer culture. The dominant culture that needs to change is consumer culture.

Norway is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and does not depend on whaling for subsistence. In reality, only a small portion of Norwegians (2%) eat whale meat frequently, and hardly anyone under the age of 35 does so. If modern day Norwegians were to consider what their values are, it is possible that they may feel that this cultural practice does not represent them. This is just one example of how culture can adapt for the sake of the environment.

It is also important to acknowledge that cultural changes cannot happen overnight. It takes time and effort to evolve traditions and values, especially those that are deeply rooted in a society’s history and identity. This is why it is essential to approach this issue with sensitivity and respect, while also acknowledging the urgency of the environmental crisis we are facing. This is where the concept of sustainable cultural practices comes in.

Sustainable cultural practices involve finding ways to evolve traditional practices and values in a way that is respectful of cultural heritage while also promoting environmental sustainability. This requires a willingness to adapt and change, as well as support from communities and policymakers. One example of a successful sustainable cultural practice is the use of traditional ecological knowledge by Indigenous communities. Indigenous peoples have a deep understanding of their local ecosystems and have developed practices that enable them to live sustainably in harmony with nature. Incorporating this knowledge into modern environmental management can lead to more effective and sustainable practices.

As individuals, we can also take action to support sustainable practices. We can determine what our culture is, particularly through how we spend our money. By making financial decisions that support sustainable practices, we can help to shift cultural norms towards environmental conservation. This is one of the reasons Iceland is set to end whaling in the next year – the lack of consumer demand. 

Image Representing Consumerism

In conclusion, balancing cultural practices with environmental conservation is complicated. We must respect cultural traditions, but also consider their potential harm to the environment. As individuals, we can influence cultural norms by making informed choices about our spending and supporting sustainable practices. This balance between cultural preservation and environmental protection is critical for a sustainable future, ensuring a healthy planet and cultural diversity for future generations.

References

AFP. (2022, February 4). Iceland to end whaling in 2024 as demand dwindles. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/04/iceland-to-end-whaling-in-2024-demand-dwindles

Gareau, B. (2011). SAGE Reference – Green Politics: An A-to-Z Guide. Sk.sagepub.com. https://sk.sagepub.com/reference/greenpolitics/n42.xml

Häyrynen, S., & Hämeenaho, P. (2020). Green clashes: cultural dynamics of scales in sustainability transitions in European peripheries. Palgrave Communications, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-020-0472-x

International Union for Conservation of Nature. (n.d.). IUCN CEM Cultural Practices and Ecosystem Management Thematic Group. IUCN. https://www.iucn.org/our-union/commissions/group/iucn-cem-cultural-practices-and-ecosystem-management-thematic-group

Kim, H. (2022, February 25). What Is Whale Hunting and Why Do Japan and Norway Still Hunt Whales? Sentiment Media. https://sentientmedia.org/whale-hunting

O’Donnell, E., Poelina, A., Pelizzon, A., & Clark, C. (2020). Stop Burying the Lede: The Essential Role of Indigenous Law(s) in Creating Rights of Nature. Transnational Environmental Law, 9(3), 403–427. https://doi.org/10.1017/s2047102520000242

Smith, P. (2022, December 2). The Blue Whale: The Largest Animal On Earth And A Keystone Species | Historic Cornwall. http://Www.historic-Cornwall.org.uk. https://www.historic-cornwall.org.uk/the-blue-whale-the-largest-animal-on-earth-and-a-keystone-species/

Wong, L. (2022, September 12). Whaling in Norway: A Brutal Tradition That Still Exists Today. Earth.org. https://earth.org/whaling-in-norway/

Last fall, I had the pleasure of volunteering at Taste Before You Waste (TBYW), an organization that aims to reduce consumer food waste, based in Amsterdam. This organization promotes food recycling and raises awareness about the consequences of wasting food to our community of foodies and beyond. As someone passionate about sustainability and waste reduction, I was excited to be a part of TBYW. In this blog post, I’ll share my experience volunteering there, but before that, I would first like to underline the current food waste in our society, its effects, and why it needs to be addressed.

Our Food Waste

Have you ever thought about how much food we waste and the impact it has on the environment? This wastage not only exacerbates hunger and poverty, but the environmental consequences are also dire. According to the IPCC (2019), reducing food waste is an urgent challenge that could help reduce GHG emissions as food loss and waste equal “5–10% of total anthropogenic GHG emissions”. Furthermore, when we waste food, we’re not just throwing away the food itself, but also the resources that went into producing it – like water, land, and energy. This contributes to environmental problems like deforestation, soil degradation, and water scarcity. Food waste is a significant global issue, with approximately one-third of all food produced in the world going to waste. Amounting to 1.3 billion tons per year, the equivalent of US$1 trillion (World Food Programme, 2020). In developed countries, the amount of food waste per person tends to be higher due to factors such as overbuying, expiration dates, and a cultural preference for perfect-looking produce. On the other hand, in developing countries, food waste tends to occur more at the production and transportation stages due to inadequate infrastructure and resources (Calvo-Porral et al., 2016).

What does TBYW do to Address this Issue?

Taste Before You Waste aims to raise awareness about the consequences of food waste and to reduce the amount of food waste in our community. To bolster this endeavor, TBYW organizes a variety of events to highlight foods and products deemed as “waste”. One of the organization’s most popular events is the Wednesday Wasteless Dinner, where donated food items are incorporated into the menu dishes. These donations come from both the local community and supermarkets, and the resulting dishes showcase the potential of “waste” food products to create delicious and nutritious meals.

A typical volunteering day at TBYW consists of 3 different activities: – the morning pick-up, the afternoon cooking, and the evening dinner. During the morning shift, volunteers ride on the bakfiets to collect food waste and surplus products from local stores. We would usually fill the bakfiets fairly quickly as we get most of the waste from Javastraat. It is very satisfying to see the bakfiets full of products that we would use for the dinner. Sorting out the products after the pick-up helps ensure that everything is ready for the afternoon cooking shift. During this shift, volunteers help with dinner preparation, cutting fruits and veggies, and getting the kitchen ready for cooking. This is a great opportunity to connect with other volunteers and coordinators and learn more about the organization’s mission.

The evening dinner is the main highlight of the day, and it’s a great time for the community, guests, and volunteers to all come together to share the day’s operations, and cooking process, and talk about food waste gathered. The dinners are accompanied by other events that make the experience even more enriching and informative. It’s wonderful to hear that conversations about food waste reduction are a common topic of discussion, and it’s clear that everyone involved in the organization is committed to reducing waste and promoting sustainability. Volunteering at TBYW is a great way to make a positive impact in the community while learning more about sustainable living and spreading this knowledge.

I recently was able to sit down and talk with Rabea and Erin, the current Dinner Coordinator and Cultural Coordinator. One topic that we discussed at length was food waste and sustainability. They found that this is an important issue that is often taken for granted. They explain that most of the waste is generated before the food even reaches the store and that there needs to be more communication and awareness around this issue. Erin, who also majors in sustainability, also pointed out that the dairy and meat industries produce a lot of waste, which is often overlooked when discussing food waste. Food waste is often overlooked by the current media which focuses more on “pressing matters” like greenhouse gas emissions, even though food waste is also a significant contributor to GHG emissions.

Whilst the Wasteless Dinner is a great way to spread food waste awareness, this is described by Erin as a pipe-end solution. She explains that improvements in the early food production chain towards reducing this waste are challenging and difficult to implement and not talked about enough in the media. 

Lastly, I ask them about their experiences working for the organization. Rabea shares that her job can be challenging but also highly rewarding. Working with collected waste requires creativity and flexibility to develop new recipes and skills, which she finds exciting. Erin, on the other hand, enjoys the chaos that comes with planning events for TBYW. Although her events may not always directly relate to food waste or sustainability, they provide opportunities for the organization to showcase its operations and spread awareness about the issue. I also share these same feelings and views and feel grateful for the invaluable experience I gained while working with such a passionate team at TBYW. Overall, it was great to see how passionate these coordinators are about reducing food waste and promoting sustainability.

Addressing Food Waste and Promoting Awareness

In conclusion, addressing the issue of food waste and its negative impact on the environment requires raising awareness and promoting behavior change. However, this can be challenging due to factors such as changing people’s perceptions and providing accessible information. To effectively raise awareness, I believe that it is critical to provide clear information and implement more strategies to reduce food waste. Increasing media coverage can also help to raise awareness and encourage action. With continued effort and dedication, we can work towards reducing food waste and creating a more sustainable future.

References:

Calvo-Porral, C., Medín, A. F., & Losada-López, C. (2016). Can Marketing Help in Tackling Food Waste?: Proposals in Developed Countries. Journal of Food Products Marketing, 23(1), 42–60. https://doi.org/10.1080/10454446.2017.1244792

IPCC. (2019). Chapter 5 — Special Report on Climate Change and Land. Ipcc.ch; Special Report on Climate Change and Land. https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/chapter/chapter-5/

Klingbeil, R., & Byiringiro, F. (2013, October). Food security, water security, improved food value chains for a more sustainable socio-economic development. https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.2616.1443

Ridolfi, R., & Dubois, O. (2019, December 20). How powering food storage could end hunger. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/12/how-to-reduce-food-waste-end-hunger/

World Food Programme. (2020, June 2). 5 facts about food waste and hunger | World Food Programme. http://Www.wfp.org. https://www.wfp.org/stories/5-facts-about-food-waste-and-hunger#:~:text=One%2Dthird%20of%20food%20produced

And what we can learn from them.

Imagine passing by a river, you’re listing everything you can sense. You see grassy fields, and weeds growing along the bank, but you also see islands of trash floating on its murky, brown water.  You keep going and you can barely hear the flowing water over the rushing cars on the highway. You take a deep breath. You feel nauseous as a putrid smell wafts over. You might not live there, but nearly 3 million other people do and their potable water comes from wells which are contaminated due to the infiltration of river water. It’s their drinking, cooking, and washing water, their appliances are stained yellow, and it’s making people ill. The Lerma river is flooded with rubbish, faeces, and highly toxic chemicals like arsenic, lead, and mercury coming from domestic and industrial sewage. Collecting the solid waste  could be easy enough: multiple worldwide projects and initiatives have shown how to do this by using plastic- and debris- capturing devices.  The trouble is not plastic, no, it’s the chemical discharge and how to go about cleaning it.

Officially, the Lerma River is a body of water that originates from the Almoloya del Río springs in the State of Mexico and crosses through another 3 states—Querétaro, Guanajuato, Michoacán— to disembogue in Lake Chapala, Jalisco. Just from looking at the map, this river might seem insignificant compared to other rivers but it actually spans 750km. In the past, this river was a clean source of water where people would spend time on the weekends. Nowadays, it’s been completely transformed into “black water”, into sewage. Hundreds of automotive, chemical, textile, pharmaceutical and plastic factories are spread along the river bank and, according to environmental engineer Dr. Pedro Ávila Pérez, only 40% of them treat their wastewater. The more effective solution would be to ensure all water being deposited is treated but such a widespread problem requires (currently non-existent) complete systemic change. Until then, the river’s ecosystem and people will continue to suffer. Or will they?

H₂0 Lerma with Charm, created in 2017, is a citizen’s initiative to clean their water that was started by Elvia Arias Ortega who, living near the river, noticed the effects it was having on people and decided to clean it. The idea, by Dr. Ivonne Linares and engineer Verónica Martínez from the National Autonomous University (UNAM), is to mix pulverised eggshells with magnesium oxide and calcium hydroxide to make filters that remove chemicals from the water. The problem is that each filter requires between 1 and 2 tonnes of eggshells or around 16,000 and 32,000 eggshells that would usually just become food waste. By 2030 the expected global consumption of eggs will be 90 million tonnes. So, while one person alone would take an eternity to collect so many, a community working together could collect it quite easily. Hence, H₂O Lerma’s success is reliant on their collection drives. To donate one must simply wash the eggshells, deposit them in a container and let dry before pulverising it. It is then mixed with magnesium oxide and calcium hydroxide before being poured into a trench lying between the river and the desired well.

How does it work?

Usually, thanks to the river’s natural minerals, it would be able to filter any contaminants on its own. However, its filtration capacity has been exceeded by human activity so an additional filter is needed. In come the eggshells which work in 3 distinct ways.

1. Taking microscopic images of them you’ll see that they have thousands of pores which makes them adsorbent. Hence, heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury adhere to the shell’s surface and are removed from the water.
2. Another big issue is the amount of phosphorus in the water which causes eutrophication—a decrease of dissolved oxygen— which affects aquatic organisms and water quality. The calcium and magnesium in eggshells react with phosphates in the water to eliminate it by producing a precipitate.
3. The magnesium not only reacts with these phosphates but also with ammonium to create magnesium ammonium phosphate (NH₄MgPO₄) which is used to improve riverbed’s soil quality.

Does it actually effect any change?

This filter, unfortunately, is a stopgap meant to clean potable water but not the entire river. Cleaning the whole river would require more drastic action and stricter norms for water treatment of waste water to avoid further contamination. For some, this might justify inaction since the filters don’t seem to really change the root of the problem. However, this cynical outlook is detrimental in the long-run. One of the hardest things is being the first to introduce change and break the status quo but even a small step can empower other people to help out and that is shown by H₂O Lerma with Charm. It went from only a few neighbours helping out and spread to include 500 collection points throughout Mexico. People’s small actions are cumulative and indicative of a desire for change.

Take note, they are not unique in their desire. It is not the only water cleaning programme in the world. There are a number of programmes to clean a range of pollutants from plastic to oil spills. Some might involve the government like Amsterdam’s plans to improve water quality by greening their docks and banks which will in turn provide better hydration for the plants. Many are powered by people and their desire for change like the Clean Wave program which was created by hair stylist Phil McCrory. It uses hair, fur, fleece, and fibre collected from donations to absorb oil spills. People all around the world have become active participants. Rather than sit-and-wait for the perfect, they found a solution from what they had on hand and nearby. All of us can keep an open-mind and eye to what surrounds us and, whether we are creators and founders of new movements and initiatives or enthusiastic volunteers, work to improve little-by-little.

Additional (Spanish) Sources:

• On the health issues related to the river’s toxicity:
  • https://www.senado.gob.mx/65/gaceta_comision_permanente/documento/98071#:~:text=Este%20cuerpo%20h%C3%ADdrico%20se%20origina,lago%20de%20Chapala%20en%20Jalisco. 
• A presentation by Dr. Ivonne Linares and engineer Verónica Martínez on how the filter works:
  • https://ms-my.facebook.com/simapag.guanajuato/videos/tratamiento-sustentable-de-agua-de-consumo-humano-y-efluentes-residuales-con-el-/723855865643430/
• Interview with the collective’s founder, Elvia Arias Ortega:
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NSUJTHTBiQ

The following piece explores themes of climate anxiety and how it appears in everyday life. In this particular instance, the anxiety is brought on by the world of fast fashion, which is a major contributor to environmental catastrophe. I focus on how the outside world manifests within the body - essentially bringing the external to the internal - through vivid imaginiation. 

But when I slip on my socks, I find myself saturated with guilt. It’s the polyester. I can feel it climbing across my skin – biting, scratching, embedding. They say cotton-polyester blends are difficult to unravel but when they touch my body, I swear they do. The polyester fibers congeal together and climb around my toes and travel to my ankles. As they move up my legs, they invite thousands more fibers to join them in consuming me. It’s a slow, painful process because, although I am a victim of the polyester, I am also the criminal in our tragic story. After effectively transforming my feet into a polyester-human material, the polyester proceeds by biting at my legs. And my hips. And my chest.

There is nothing micro about microfibers. Desperately, I use my still-free fingers to grab them in my hands – trying to stop them from consuming me completely. They are too small, too tenacious, too persistent. As I try to pull them apart and free my feet from their itchy grasp, the fibers respond by attacking my fingers and wriggling themselves up and under my nailbeds. The fibers are so tiny I can barely see them, but I know they are there. I feel them

My fingers are no longer my own – the polyester has sewn itself so thoroughly through my skin that I wear new fingerprints. And meanwhile, the polyester is weaving up and over my shoulders and around my neck. My breath is slower, labored, and entirely in vain. The polyester snakes and shadows are knitting my hair until my braids are thick chords of yarn.  So here I am 40% polyester, 60% organic material.

And I’m steeping in guilt. Sometimes I imagine my polyester self with my arms resting on the edge of a teacup, steeping in multi-colored guilt tea. My warm potion of chemically dyed waters twists and spirals in, through, and around my body. The yellow kisses the blue until they make sickly green color for me to sink my body into. I gave in when I put my socks on – it’s not my fault, I am only one body.

And so, I dunk my head into the water, drink in the coal tar and petrochemicals, and rest my body on the bottom of the smooth teacup. It burns. The liquids explore my body and latch onto my polyester skin, taking hold for now and tomorrow. I come up for air, and the steam is thick, rancid, and smoggy; it fills my lungs to the brim with pollutants, and I blow it out effortlessly. If I can’t fight back the overwhelming alliance of synthetics and capital, I might as well succumb to them.

Climbing out of the teacup, and slipping on its smooth porcelain walls, I throw my legs over the side and grab the handle for stability. My feet are chilled by the saucer, now pooling with neon pinks and oranges. My feet, once kiwi colored, are shimmering shades of brilliant indigo. I tiptoe off the saucer and dry my body off with a bleached, white towel, which quickly becomes a gradient rainbow as it passes over and under my limbs. My colors are brilliant – you could never achieve such shades with natural dyes made from 100% organic rooibos. And why would you try? That venture isn’t profitable.

It’s a daily ritual – steeping in my guilt tea. Over the years, I’ve tasted and experimented with other flavors: shame, empowerment, confusion, anger. But all the while, I can’t break the cycle of steeping because I can’t go a day without polyester. The fact still remains: I’m not allowed to go naked – that’s what the world says.

by John O’Halloran

Two weeks ago, I visited a good friend of mine in Barcelona. While they will remain unnamed for the sake of privacy, for the purposes of this post I shall call them Alex. Alex and I are both in a period of our lives where we are experiencing immense change – moving cities, finalising university, and more generally trying to tackle and understand our own beliefs and experiences. So, of course, we ended up spending many of our evenings together reminiscing the past and speculating our futures. It was during one of these moments that the subject of climate change came up. Our basic beliefs are the same, that is that climate change is one of the most urgent problems humanity faces, and its effects are and will be felt by millions of people all around the world for years to come. But it is in our attitude toward this issue that Alex and I differ. As someone who has spent the last 2 and a half years studying environmental science, I have developed the belief that despite the threat posed by climate change, it is not a problem that we are unable to address. I believe that technological solutions exist and that, with the right people in power and an increased engagement from private and social actors, we have the capacity to mitigate the effect of climate change and prevent irreversible damage to our planet. But it turns out that Alex does not hold this same hope. In fact, Alex doesn’t believe there’s much hope at all. So much so in fact that to them, living past the age of 35 seems not only unlikely, but rather pointless. Alex is what you would call a climate doomist – an attitude that I not only disagree with, but believe is highly destructive and counter-productive to climate action.

Figure 1 – Climate activist at a climate rally (Wikimedia Commons, 2023).

Climate doomism is a relatively new term that has emerged in recent years in response to the growing concern about the devastating effects of climate change. At its core, climate doomism is a form of fatalism. It is a belief system that suggests humanity is on an inevitable path to climate catastrophe, and that there is little to no hope for avoiding the absolute worst effects of global warming. Doomists argue that the problem is so complex that it cannot be solved, especially not through traditional means such as individual action or political mobilization. Some climate doomists argue a radical restructuring of society and the economy involving massive changes to our way of life is necessary before we even begin to address climate change. But many, such as my friend Alex, consider this radical social change to be just as unlikely as the prevention of climate change – a sort of social doomism in a way… but that’s a topic for another blog post.

There are several different factors that have contributed to the rise of climate doomism. For example, the huge body of scientific evidence collected by organisations such as the IPCC; evidence shows that the effects of global warming are already being felt around the world, and that they will only get worse in the years to come. Another is the failure of governments and international organizations to take decisive action to address the problem. Our governmental institutions have been trying to work out a way to address climate change since the early 1970s with the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment to seemingly very little success. Finally, the role of the media in the proliferation of climate doomism must not be ignored. The constant framing of climate change as scary and undefeatable risks turning people away from the fight out of fear of fighting a battle that has already been lost. Considering these factors, climate doomism seems an entirely fair response, but the issue I take is not that it is unreasonable, but rather that it is ultimately an unhelpful and counterproductive way to approach the climate change problem.

If we believe that climate change is such a large and complex issue that there is no hope for a solution, it can be difficult to motivate ourselves and others to take action. If we believe that we are inevitably headed for disaster, it can become tempting to wave that white flag, throw our hands up in defeat, and give up. Why bother making changes to our lifestyles or pushing for policy change when the end is unavoidable? I am sure you can already see the issue this attitude can bring. At a time where action is urgently needed, climate doomism becomes self-destructive, creating a kind of world-ending, apocalyptic Catch-22.

Despite the challenges we face, we must remain hopeful. Humanity has the capacity to address the threat of climate change and mitigate its worst effects. We have the technology, the knowledge, and the collective will to do so. When we work together we can achieve great things, and we have seen this in the past through global efforts to combat ozone depletion and more recently with the global scale response to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, let us reject the fatalistic and defeatist attitude of climate doomism. Instead, let us be optimistic and foster action from ourselves and others. If we start here, we can begin down a path that may lead to a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for ourselves and for generations to come. Even if it is just to prove a point to friends like Alex.

Sources used:

Wikimedia Commons. (2023). Climate activist at a climate rally [Online Image]. In ctmirror. https://ctmirror.org/2023/01/03/climate-change-doom-social-media/

When learning about ancient civilizations, we always recall the great human feats that shaped our society: the incredible engineering that allowed Egyptians to construct the pyramids or the Romans to build their infrastructures, the invention of paper and the compass by the Chinese, or the development of democracy by the Greeks, which still influences our contemporary societies. However, one aspect that is often not told, is the approach and behaviour that these civilizations had towards the environment and its biodiversity. Only in recent decades, with the rise of awareness about our contemporary overexploitation of natural resources and the evidence about climate change, new archaeological and palaeoecological studies have shown how many ancient civilizations were behaving as bad as us towards nature.

Cut the trees or not cut the trees

The fall of the Mycenaean civilization from 1250 to 1050 BC has always been attributed to unexpected natural disasters like earthquakes, or foreign invasions.  However, new radiocarbon studies on ancient charcoal fragments and analysis of pollen deposition (Palynology) in lakes of this Greek region, have brought evidence of an even worse event which could have led the Mycenaean society to ruin: human deforestation.

In fact, forests were cut down both for the demand of timber, mainly for housing and naval constructions, and for the need of new agricultural land due to the increase in population. However, one thing that the Mycenaeans did not take into consideration is that trees are highly beneficial for soil fertility:  they can absorb and hold rainwater, keep the soil nutrients at high levels thanks to humus, the decayed organic matter of animals and plants (e.g., leaves) and maintain the soil temperature at optimal levels for the growth of other plants. Furthermore, these forests extended in a region which is mainly composed of mountains. As a result, when the trees were removed, there was no natural anchor which could prevent the soil from eroding down the sides of the mountains. The Mycenaeans ended up creating a literal time bomb on themselves, they just needed a hand from mother nature to light the fuse. This occurred around 1250 BC, when a series or really warm summers followed by heavy rainfalls caused the soil, now deprived of its trees, to easily erode down from the mountains, making the area unusable for cultivation and  causing starvation among the population. The great city of Mycenae, remembered in the Greek mythology for conquering the city of Troy was, at the end, defeated by the same land on which it once thrived, making it possibly one of the first man-made environmental disasters.

Don’t worry, it will regrow, right?

During the times of the early days of the Roman Empire the city of Cyrene, today in modern Libya, was famous around all the known world for the growth of a particular plant which could not be found anywhere else. This herb, was so unique and important that it became the symbol of the city and was sold for its weight in gold and all the most important emperors of the time wanted it: Silphium.

The list of properties written about this fennel-like plant are endless: great for food seasoning, wonderful as a perfume, an efficient medicine to treat fevers, sore throats, indigestions and many other sorts of diseases; it was also used as an aphrodisiac and possibly as the first ever effective birth control. Given the historical importance that Silphium achieved in ancient times, it is highly possible that all these claims were true.

Silver tetradrachm from Cyrene (Kyrene), from 435-330 BC, with the Silphium plant represented.   Photo credits to:  ArchaiOptix on Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Unfortunately, we will never be able to experience the benefits of this plant since it only grew in the wild and no one ever managed to cultivate it with success. As a result, due to its high demand and value, the Romans overharvested all the Silphium they could find, causing its extinction. It is also possible that changes in the specific microclimate in which the plant thrived emphasized the disappearance process. The last ever testimony about the existence of Silphium is from the roman naturalist Pliny the Elder, who wrote to have brought to emperor Nero the last existing stem. Unfortunately, the emperor was more concerned about his appetite than about the preservation of biodiversity and immediately used the plant for seasoning one of his meals.

These episodes about the loss of biodiversity and human-made environmental disasters are not some ancient events that belong just to history books. People do not realize how similar episodes, possibly even worse, are occurring right now, under our own eyes and not everyone is aware of it. We depend so much on nature and its rich diverse ecosystem and we should focus on protecting and appreciating it, not just selfishly exploiting it. We need to learn from past and current mistakes. We need to change our own mentality and behaviour otherwise history will always repeat itself.

2 weeks ago, I witnessed a heated comment debate on my LinkedIn feed. 

One of the Serbian users of the platform informed his connections that a “liquid tree” has just been invented in Belgrade, Serbia. He claimed that “the time to act for sustainability is NOW” and we can do so “with many innovative and modern solutions available to help us achieve this goal”.

Sounds like a dystopian eco-modernist dream? Possibly. Welcome LIQUID3 into your urban reality.

LIQUID3 was designed by Dr. Ivan Spasojević in affiliation with the University of Belgrade – Institute for Multidisciplinary Research. Spasojević’s project won the Index Project Award, a biennale that celebrates people, from far and wide, using design to solve the problems that matter, what they call a “Design to Improve Life”. Organizers claim that since 2005, they’ve recognized the most impactful innovations that range from diagnosing diseases to preserving ecosystems. 

LIQUID3 won an award in 2023 in the category of community. Projects in this group represent large-scale solutions that all people share, this includes architecture, infrastructure, public spaces, transport, and energy solutions, and have a positive impact on the local society. United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] Serbia, the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia, and the Global Environmental Facility support the project financially and promotionally. UNDP Serbia even produced a short clip on the project. Unfortunately, the video is subtitled only in Serbian, but it visually captures the process of the project’s installation and extraction of the algae.

Figure 1: UNDP Serbia YoutTube video about the LIQUID3 project

Now, you may ask yourself a question: how does this project work and what makes it so special that it won the 2023 Index Project Award and gained support from national and international stakeholders?

We can read on the award’s website that the LIQUID3 is an urban photo-bioreactor that uses the power of microalgae to efficiently remove CO2 and produce O2 and biomass. It represents an alternative sustainable concept of greening urban environments that show limited space and heavy pollution. LIQUID3 replaces one adult tree or 200 m2 of lawn and operates even during the winter. Moreover, the LIQUID3 brings together biology, top design, and functions that are compatible with urban environments. With LIQUID3, the project claims, we can create a green area and an urban meeting point in only one day. 

Figure 2: Functions and benefits of the LIQUID3 project (source: LIQUID3 website)

Why is the project important?

Belgrade has the worst air quality in Serbia and the country itself is ranked as the 5th most polluted country in Europe according to the 2019 World Air Quality Report, with an average of PM 2.5 in air pollution. Moreover, Belgrade is ranked amongst the top most polluted cities worldwide, as well as warranting an unhealthy rating for sensitive groups according to the US AQI reading. Outside of the meteorological factors, like lack of wind or rain during certain months that lead to the accumulation of haze or smog, these accumulations have their sources. Some of them are vehicular fumes, burning of firewood and charcoal at homes, and heavy use of fossil fuels and coal at power plants and factories. This causes the air to be permeated with high amounts of dangerous chemical compounds that may cause severe health issues. In case of emissions with smaller particles, they can penetrate deep within lung tissue and enter the bloodstream, which is extremely lethal. Moreover, the two power plants that are located nearby Belgrade are among the top 10 dirties plants in Europe according to the European NGO Health and Environment Alliance. 

How does the project improve life?

The Index Project Award website claims that LIQUID3 is an innovative tool in the fight against dirty air, a solution for tackling greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality. Six hundred liters of water with microalgae bind carbon dioxide and produce pure oxygen through a process of photosynthesis. It can replace two 10-year-old trees or 200-meter squares of lawns, especially in urban areas that don’t have space for trees and other plants.

What do you think about this project? After all, maybe it’s not such a bad idea! Ultimately, we can’t make a vacuum that would suck out excessive CO2 next to coal power plants, but we can definitely install “liquid trees” in very polluted areas without saying final bye to the fossil fuel industry. 

Sounds brilliant, doesn’t it?

The Philippines; the country known for its crystal clear waters, friendly inhabitants, luxuriant nature, and rich biodiversity. All in all, I described it as the paradise on Earth when I told my friends about my trip to Siargao in November 2022. Siargao is a small island in the south-east side of the Philippines which I visited during my exchange semester in Hong Kong. While the time I spent on the island felt like a dream to me, the luminous part of the Philippines hides another side which not many people highlight. 

Due to its geographical location in the western Pacific, the small islands are very prone to extreme weather events like typhoons which are a recurring threat to its inhabitants, economy, and environment. The country typically experiences around 20 typhoons each year, with some of the most intens ones occurring in the last few years. One of the deadliest and most destructive typhoons in Philippine history was Super Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the country in November 2013 and resulted in over 6,000 deaths.

Figure 1: Tropical cyclone frequency in the Philippines, 2008 to 2018 (PAGASA, 2018)

How Nalgae Left Lasting Impacts

The night before my flight to Manilla would depart, the Hong Kong government still signaled a T8 warning for tropical typhoon “Nalgae” coming from the Philippines. At the time the only thing that I could think of was whether my trip to Siargao will go according to my plans, with little understanding what I was about to discover at my holiday destination. 

Upon my arrival in Del Carmen, Siargao the drive from the airport to our accommodation was a bumpy ride with many palm trees partly blocking the roads. Little did we know this all resulted from Nalgae which had a bigger impact on the locals than we could imagine. Throughout our stay we made close friendships with many Filipinos which gave us more insight in their everyday lives. Siargao is up until today a developing country with poor freshwater resources and a poor electricity grid. The island benefits a lot from tourism, mainly through surfers, and the COVID-19 pandemic left a big scar on its economy. 

Figure 2: The aftermath of Typhoon Rai on Siargao Island (E. Bayer, 2021)

While typhoons of strength T8 would not cause much damage in Hong Kong, the limited resources and weak infrastructures call for a difficult response and recovery from a typhoon. This contrast became vivid to us when talking to a local tricycle driver after a night out. While at first we started a discussion with the driver about the increase of the price from 30 pesos (1,50 EUR)  to 50 pesos (2,57 EUR) for a ride home, the conversation quickly shifted to him talking about his daily life. We took a turn to the left which led to the road of our villa. “Look, here on the right is my home” said Ash while pointing at a hut made out of cardboard boxes. My friend and I looked at each other and asked “Is that where you sleep?” after which he explained: ”Yes, my other house was swept away because of the typhoon last week. I quickly build this to sleep under, but now I have to save up to build my old house back”. A couple of minutes later we arrived at our villa which we entered with a feeling of guilt, after giving Ash all the pesos we had in our bags. 

This conversation created a realisation that such a natural disaster is not just a heavy rainstorm, but a life-changing event that leaves lasting impacts on their lives and communities.  

Why are developing countries targeted the hardest?

Developing countries, among which the Philippines, receive the biggest impact from climate change while the Global North is the biggest polluter globally. The local population of the Philippines generally live a eco friendly lifestyle, with little resources being used. However, the Philippines consists of many small islands so sea level rise is one of the biggest threats to the country and the effects can already be seen today. With weak governance, inadequate infrastructure, and poverty it is also difficult to adapt to climate change and achieve sustainable development. It is safe to say that inequity is a byproduct from climate change when looking at the Global North and Global South. 

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References

Fernanda, M., Rincón, G., & Virtucio, F. (2008). Climate Change in the Philippines: A Contribution to the Country Environmental Analysis. https://research.fit.edu/media/site-specific/researchfitedu/coast-climate-adaptation-library/asia-amp-indian-ocean/southeast-asia-amp-philippines/Virtucio.–2008.–CC-in-the-Philippines.pdf

Holden, W. N. (2018). Typhoons, Climate Change, and Climate Injustice in the Philippines. Austrian Journal of South-East Asian Studies, 11(1), 117–139. https://doi.org/10.14764/10.ASEAS-2018.1-7

Holden, W. N., & Marshall, S. J. (2018). Climate Change and Typhoons in the Philippines: Extreme Weather Events in the Anthropocene. Integrating Disaster Science and Management, 407–421. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-812056-9.00024-5

Sevieri, G., & Galasso, C. (2021). Typhoon risk and climate-change impact assessment for cultural heritage asset roofs. Structural Safety, 91, 102065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strusafe.2020.102065

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