It is healthy for us human beings to be in solidarity with each other. Sometimes this means simply keeping our hearts open and caring about others. Sometimes it means taking actions to support others — providing food, making a donation, calling a legislator, or attending a protest rally, for example. Even when we may not be in a position to take meaningful action, choosing solidarity with others is a much more wholesome stance for our own spirits than turning away or not caring. Keeping our hearts open is sometimes painful, but it is healthier, more human, and more alive than the alternatives.
I have long claimed that when it comes to the global climate crisis, we are all in this together. I think a sense of global solidarity is good for us as individuals, and is also good strategy for the climate justice movement. Ultimately, solutions to the climate crisis will require international cooperation and equity. In particular, they will require residents of wealthy nations that have been the primary cause of global warming to care about what is happening in poorer nations and to support the wealthy nations to take financial responsibility for the harms they have caused.
Two landmarks in the destructive effects of climate change occurred in the last few weeks and have been under-reported by the mainstream news media. We may or may not have any resources to devote to addressing these two, but caring and having a sense of solidarity with those affected is part of keeping our humanness fully alive.
On Oct. 28, Hurricane Melissa struck the island of Jamaica with winds of 185 mph — equal to the worst hurricane winds to ever strike land. Super-charged by oceans and atmosphere made warmer by climate change, the storm ripped roofs off more than 120,000 buildings, brought storm surge flooding, killed dozens of people, and affected some 1.5 million people in Jamaica. Total damages have been estimated at $10 billion, which is equal to roughly half of the nation’s annual GDP.
The day before, record-setting torrential rains struck Vietnam. This statistic is so mind-boggling that I had to confirm it from several sources before sharing it. In 24 hours, parts of the city of Hue experienced 5 feet, 7 inches of rain! Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes. Damages were severe, of course. Again, scientists say that climate change made this storm much more deadly and destructive. The economic effects will be exacerbated as the majority of tourists are cancelling their hotel bookings for the nearby ancient town of Hoi An, which last year received more than 4.4 million visitors, including nearly 3.6 million foreign tourists.
I have difficulty wrapping my mind around either of these catastrophes. Each feels too big. Each is painful to face. However, it is a relief to not turn away, to actually face what’s happening.
Two things help me face what’s happening and stand in solidarity with those who are suffering. First, is that I also stand in solidarity with people all over the world who are working to end the climate crisis and to relieve suffering regardless of the cause. There are literally millions of such people. Because of them, I know I am not alone. You are not alone. We share a commitment to justice and sustainable ways of living on the Earth. Solving these problems is not just up to me or to you. We have more allies than we can imagine.
When it comes to climate change, we are part of a global effort to solve a global problem. We can be pleased about that and hold it in our hearts and minds. It’s a good platform for a sense of global solidarity.
Secondly, I know there are limits to my resources — to my time, energy, attention, and finances. We cannot take action on behalf of all the people or situations we care about. Instead, we get to choose where we put our energies — where we take action — and where we don’t. It makes sense for us to engage to the extent that we have energy, time, and finances — neither exceeding our limits, nor turning away where we could reasonably contribute. Our choices will need to include caring for our own well-being, for friends and family, and for those impacted by rising authoritarianism and systemic injustices. We need to make peace with the fact that we can’t take action on everything that we care about. That’s healthy and OK.
Sometimes it’s good to stretch ourselves, to attempt to go beyond what seems easy and comfortable. If we get overextended, we can pull back.
When we can choose wisely where we act and where we don’t, we will be more free to keep our hearts wide open and our humanity fully intact. Let’s talk to people about these issues – sharing both our thoughts and our questions. Let’s help a growing sense of global solidarity develop around us.
Russ Vernon-Jones lives in Amherst and is a member of the Steering Committee of Climate Action Now (CAN). The views expressed here are his own. He blogs regularly on climate justice at http://www.russvernonjones.org and can be reached there.