- Voices of the Ocean
Little Drops: Why every environmental action counts
Point Nemo, the Oceanic point of inaccessibility, is the furthest away anyone could be from land.
Smack in the middle of the southern Pacific Ocean, facts like how it is 2688 km (1,670 mi) or more from land on every side, puts into perspective how gigantic the world is compared to us.
As a teen, the whole idea that we were a speck in the vast universe terrified me. This idea that I, despite the ability to think and feel so personally, am yet just one among the masses. Just another student, a boat floating alone in the middle of an Ocean of people. Insignificant.
Now, as a young adult in a world spiralling at top speed, everyone tiptoeing around the brink of war, it feels overwhelming. May it be against the changing national ideologies, against corporate giants, or between humanity and the changing climate. This chaos that surrounds us seems to tower over, overshadowing any hopes to initiate change, for the fear that despite all the heart poured in, in the end, it would all be in vain. Somehow, the world, this absolute disparity in “power” that an individual can hold, has rendered many hopeless.
We feel helpless, because we care.
This feeling of hopelessness is amplifying eco-anxiety. Whether I am just fortunate enough to be surrounded by people who care, or if we have somehow cultivated a generation who cares, is unknown, but the echoing of voices who feel this sense of helplessness, blended with anxiousness with the “unchangeable” direction we barrel towards, is loud.
When you look at inspiring activists like Greta, who was able to venture into dangerous seas for what she believed in. She got on a boat, and made a loud bold statement, and they left a mark. Most of all reignited passion for justice among us. Like she said, the world needs more angry people… because anger is fuel. Anger not to burn us out, but to fuel something powerful.
It’s easy to feel small if we compare. But again, just because we don’t take that leap of faith, is every small step we take as individuals “insignificant”? ”Powerless”? Especially as these “inexperienced” young adults? Society has forever drilled “Go big or go home”. All or nothing. Rags to riches. The list of proverbs that surround the concept of traversing the extremes is vast, and so is people’s mentality. Perfectionism doesn’t just plague certain people, it infests attitudes toward our abilities and capabilities.
Little drops of water make a mighty Ocean
In elementary school, when a classmate raised a hand and asked why do should he not litter when the beach already has so much litter. The teacher said, “Little drops of water make a mighty Ocean”. Every action we took to not make it worse. Every stray wrapper we picked. Every drop makes a difference. I truly believed it in it then, as a young fresh mind, but over the years… somewhere along the way, the plot was lost to the intimidation of the mighty Ocean.
We need to keep reminding ourselves that even just a single personal lifestyle decision – eating one meal less of meat every day, one less outfit bought from a fast fashion store, one blog written for Ocean Generation. Your drop matters, your voice matters. It makes a difference. As long as it was intentional and keeps being international. One drop at a time.
Going cold turkey on anything leaves us in withdrawal. Every intentional step to make a change is worth it. Today, I want to accept the waves, even the ones that barely tickle, because it takes quite a few hard-earned drops to make it tickle. Most of all, that tickle can still shift the tides.
Thank you for raising your voice for the Ocean, Aditi!
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