Tiny Ecology Part 4

Grammar holds a radical power. It creates hierarchy and difference and has the dramatic influence to alienate and degrade. Words mater and the way we refer to flora and fauna, people, and places, using specific pronouns, holds weight and meaning. Words give explanation and purpose to what surrounds us. In addition, language is what connects us. We thrive on the ability to understand but are fearful of the uncertainty of not knowing. Why we refer to our natural world and its beautiful inhabitants as ‘it’ and ‘that’ comes from a place of fear and the need to conquer. In her article, Kimmerer (2017) argues for the need to refer to our brothers and sisters of the natural world as ‘Ki’ and ‘Kin’, to ‘signify a being [or beings] of the living earth’. How we describe the world around us is reflective of our relationship with her. Why not be equals with the trees, the ocean, the rain, and the wind? It would be a wonderful way to begin to show respect to our wounded bond with Mother Earth. 

Tonight, I decided to go up to my sit spot amidst the downpour. Dressed awkwardly, in an oversized puffy jacket, shorts, and sandals, I walked outside to where I now go to think and observe. I reflected on Kimmerer’s piece, which stuck with me in a multitude of ways. If we were to view our connection with climate and nature as a relationship, couldn’t we see how incredibly unbalanced it is? The excessive exploitation prevalent? And the harm being done? For me, it’s so clearly in front of our eyes. Tonight the land was powerful and fierce. It reminded me of an angry younger sibling trying so vehemently to get my attention. Shaking at my very feet. Or of a never ending knock on your door that can’t seem to be heard. We are siblings with the land and the wildlife that inhabit it. We are no different. We are equal participants in this so called life and will continue to be shown that we are no greater than the land in which we walk until we stand up together, unified, with a purpose to solve the greatest dilemma of our time.  

Words are meaningful and why not focus more on the metaphor of a wounded relationship, a frayed bond, or a story yet to be heard than the ‘crisis’ that is climate change. Armstrong et al. (2018) add that “metaphors ground abstract concepts in concrete physical reality and…activate mental representations that structure how people perceive…message[s]” (p. 70). Metaphor is a tool to expand awareness and could be utilized more to communicate climate change.

Tonight’s experience at my sit spot made me feel that I have much work to do to engage and affect change in the climate action space. I struggle, often, knowing where my place is and how to bring about that change. Passion is a beautiful thing but it needs to be harnessed and nurtured. My passion for climate is equivalent to that of love for a family member. The land is my family. Yet, how can that be translated to the general public? Rephrasing the climate crisis as a relationship that needs to be revived and resurfaced is a tough hill to climb. Although, it is the future of climate action and encouraging thoughtful speech and rhetoric is one path in the right direction. As Kimmerer suggests, redefining our relationship with the butterflies and the flowers and through the ‘universal grammar of animacy,’ we can begin to heal this wounded relationship I see so vividly when I look outside my window. 

References

Armstrong, A. K., Schuldt, J. P., & Krasny, M. E. (2018) Communicating climate change: A guide for educators. Retrieved from  https://cornellopen.org/9781501730795/communicating-climate-change/

Kimmerer, R. W. (2017). Speaking of nature: Finding language that affirms our kinship with the natural world. Orion Magazine. https://orionmagazine.org/article/speaking-of-nature/