When a battle seems lost, we must pause and honour our Elders. Relax. Remember. Regain strength for the next day, and maybe Wisdom too.
I recently lost something that had never left me until now and that is hope because the climate change battle seems to be really lost.
I continue to do everything I can to actively contribute to a better world (not perfect). I am doing it and I will continue because I will never lose motivation but... I no longer have hope.
Careful : the opposite of “no more hope” is not despair. The feeling is not sad. It just vanished from my life for maybe it wasn’t really needed.
For sure I need certainty and clarity, doubts and silence, fraternity and solitude. But I no longer need this tension to stretch me towards the idea of a reconciled humanity.
For reconciliation to work, everyone at the table must desire it and be motivated by the idea. Otherwise, some are sacrificing themselves while others add fuel to the fire.
I have no conclusion on this. Maybe I’m getting a little stronger.
So I came back to an Elder who deeply inspired me when I began to look for how to be more useful. A journey that led me to where I am today.
She grew up on a farm and went to school. Got a Ph.D. in biology, then in veterinary medicine. Was a polyglot, a traveler, a mother, she could have stopped here.
She went further, got involved in politics, opposed plans to build skyscrapers and a luxurious residence. The light came on to her. She receives the Nobel Peace Prize.
She took all the risks. She used formidable weapons : will + trees + women.
Wangari Muta Maathai (1940-2011) is one of my strongest inspirations.
Yesterday, Kenya declared a public holiday “to plant trees as a patriotic contribution to the national efforts to save our Country from the devastating effects of Climate Change.”
CNN article adds that "Kenya’s forest cover decreased from 12% to just 6% between 1990 and 2010" (read here).
Does this mean that Kenya learned from his past and will finally increase by 80% the use of clean energy ?
Hope or not, seeds grow.
