While the term ‘Apathy’ is often related to political terms, the meaning remains clear even out of its usual context. In our world today, we have settled rather comfortably for what we see around us which has driven us into a state of Apathy concerning our environment. Environmental Apathy, as we will define it here, is the state of being totally uninterested, unconcerned and indifferent about environmental issues.
While the aim here is to disagree with this state we seem to have put ourselves, It is also important to acknowledge that most of the damage we come across in our environment is not directly our individual faults. So, the fact that we were not directly involved in causing these problems, we stick to simple things. We limit our cleaning and maintenance to our homes, underneath our roofs, and would rather pay our fines than participate on ‘Sanitation days’. When you think about it, that makes sense right?
This piece is neither to support that action, nor is it to judge anyone. It is to get a simple understanding of the justified voice in our minds when we choose to play it safe, especially concerning our environment.
I mean, picking up the small thrash in the front yard wouldn’t exactly change anything right?.
Well, would it really not? Are you sure it would not?
It would make a lot of difference – just as you can see in the image above during GMI Plastic Barter project.
So let’s take a step out of our comfort zone, shall we?
With the constant need to take a run away or hide at every inconvenience we feel, our comfort zone isn’t always convenient either. Leaving your comfort zone does not always involve doing major things, it begins with the little things.
Taking a step out of my comfort zone for me, could be times when I have to fetch a glass of water to quench my thirst even though I’d prefer to lay still in bed, or getting up early to go to work when I just want to feel safe within the walls of my house for a whole day.
The point is, stepping out of our comfort zone takes a lot of courage even to satisfy our own needs, even more difficult when it has to do with others, in this case, our environment. Notice I said ‘our’ which means you still have a role to play too.
Now the big question, ‘What could I possibly do for the environment?’
Thank you for asking 😁
The big but simple answer is – ‘thrash the Apathy’. It starts by being interested in caring for the environment. When you are interested in something, you will be drawn to it and there is a huge chance that you will care for it.
Huge chance that you will pick up the thrash you didn’t drop. You might end up saying ‘no be your fault, na the environment’ but you will do it regardless 😁
Huge chance that you will tell your neighbor not to burn their waste or throw them into the gutters during the rainy season.
Huge chance that you will thrash your waste properly and even teach people about it.
Huge chance that you will join tree planting exercises and volunteer for environmental projects.
Huge chance that your ‘little’ actions today turn into ‘big’ actions tomorrow – maybe establishing an environmental organization.
So, while you think your little efforts might not fix the overfilled gutters today, it contributes to it and we just need more like minded individuals before the gutters get cleared out.
This is not about gutters 😁– It is about ‘thrashing the Apathy together with your waste’ and rekindling your love and interest for the environment.
GMI Academy cannot promise that you will make billions of dollars just by caring for the environment (note: you could) but sometimes, life is about the little things that bring us satisfaction. We can promise you that playing a part in the betterment of your environment drives a significant and fulfilling satisfaction in the end.
Piece written by Miracle Anthony
Edited by Olamide O. Olayiwola
