“In every outthrust headland, in every curving beach, in every grain of sand there is a story of the Earth.” - Rachel Carson
How amazing is it that we get to be a part of this story?? And while our time on this planet is relatively short-lived — the Earth was spinning long before us and will likely continue to spin long after us — I can’t help but think about the small-but-mighty impact our own existence holds.
As ocean temperatures continue to rise, it seems like bigger and more intense tropical cyclones are going to be the new normal. And I’m by no means a meteorologist or an expert on these issues, but if you spend a little time on the interweb, articles like this one from NOAA has findings that support the likelihood of “greenhouse warming [to] cause hurricanes in the coming century to be more intense globally and have higher rainfall rates than present-day hurricanes.” And that’s some scary shit.
I mean, just take a look at the recent system that passed over Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, now known as Hurricane Isaias. Although at the time it was barely a tropical storm when it moved across us, the rains were heavy enough that roads and neighborhoods experienced unexpected and intense flash flooding. A woman here in Rincon sadly lost her life.
Mother Nature will always be more powerful than us, but I think at this point it’s difficult, for me at least, to believe that our actions don’t have an impact. And maybe these actions won’t have an affect on tomorrow or next year, or maybe these actions won’t necessarily impact you as a person… But how could the individual actions of more than 7.5 billion people not collectively affect the whole??
I think one of the many things that this pandemic has opened our eyes to is that this current fast-paced, consume-everything world just isn’t sustainable. And I’m guilty as anyone for getting caught up in it too — travel, surfboards, online shopping — just a few of my vices that aren’t the most eco-friendly. But, like anything we always have the opportunity to learn and adapt and do as best as we can with what we have.
We still have a chance to re-write our roles in the story. How can we explore a little differently?? Consume a bit more mindfully?? Knowing that even if it’s not us who will benefit from these choices, the future generations who also call this planet home will.
I for sure haven’t got the answers, but I truly believe that little changes do in fact add up, and that the small ‘sacrifices’ (like carpooling, byo to-go & utensils, spending a little more to support a small biz) are like little rituals to honor the whole.
Just as we like to place so much focus on our own health and well-being, we must remember to think about the health and well-being of the people and the world around us too. It’s all connected.
“We are like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected in the deep.” - William James
IMAGES:
Headline photo by Rincon Surf Report
Images to right from PR Informa
WAYS TO SUPPORT:
I know World Central Kitchen is on island cooking meals (they have been active here after Hurricane Maria and the recent Earthquakes).
Brigada Solidaria del Oeste is also a great resource.
If you know of any other grassroots organizations or on-island groups supporting the communities most affected, please share in a comment below. My heart goes out to everyone that has been, and will be, impacted by this storm. It’s only the beginning of this hurricane season so we all must stick together and support one another. Blessings.