My wish for 2025 : Healing from Ecological Trauma

I often reflect on whether each orbit the Earth completes around the Sun not only marks another year of aging but also brings wisdom to me and my fellow humans. It took billions of such revolutions to create the fertile conditions that enabled life on this planet. The evolution of life—from single-celled organisms to complex symbioses of species —spanned millions of years. The miracle of life is subtle, delicate, and beautiful. Over the past few days, I have had the opportunity to admire seashells on the sand, the rhythmic waves of the sea, and the vast blue skies. This experience has been humbling, immersing me in nature's beauty.

Observing my son, I notice his joy in playing with sand and his fear of swimming in the sea. The sea is powerful and majestic, and if one lacks the confidence to navigate its waves, it can be overwhelming. On my first swim this season, the currents were so strong that my son feared I wouldn’t return. Being a confident swimmer, I managed to navigate back safely, yet I understood my limits and respected the sea’s immense power.

Humans still carry the trauma of evolution. When we encounter certain reptiles or insects, we often respond with fear, triggering a destructive impulse. This disconnection from nature has led to environmental destruction, causing deep ecological grief and trauma. We find ourselves trapped in a cycle of destroying and disconnecting from the very environment that sustains us. Climate experts hoped for global greenhouse gas emissions to peak by 2025. However, atmospheric CO2 has already surpassed 421 parts per million, we are on the way to 2.7 degrees warming and higher, and other planetary boundaries related to land, water, and biodiversity have been breached. Despite this, we remain numb to these realities, often electing leaders who deny climate change.

Our material economy is driven by an insatiable desire for possessions, and unless we take deliberate actions, our species may not have a viable future on this planet. Here are some steps we need to consider.

Spending More Time in Nature

Humans have an innate connection to nature, as proposed by biologist Edward O. Wilson’s biophilia hypothesis. This connection positively influences our psychological well-being, rooted in evolutionary instincts. Scientific evidence supports the following benefits:

Cognitive Restoration: Nature helps ease mental fatigue and promotes relaxation by lowering blood pressure and heart rate.

Reduced Stress Hormones: Green spaces reduce cortisol levels, fostering calmness.

Enhanced Mood: Nature increases endorphins and dopamine, improving mood while reducing anxiety and depression.

Appreciating Nature’s Beauty

The lush green forests, flowing waters, vibrant marine life, and intricate floral patterns offer endless inspiration. Learning to appreciate nature’s beauty can inspire harmony and sustainability. Instead of artificially creating beauty, we can recognize the inherent artistry of every landscape. Nature’s diversity—in colors, shapes, and patterns—demonstrates abundance. The more we admire this, the less we will feel compelled to consume resources excessively.

Recognizing Nature as Our Livelihood

A nature-based economy, focused on solutions derived from ecosystems, is gaining traction. In 2018, the World Economic Forum estimated that nature provides services worth $125 trillion annually. However, this value is likely understated, as nature forms the foundation of our economy. Filmmaker and ecologist John D. Liu emphasizes that ecosystem functions are far more valuable than all economic goods and services combined. Fertile soil, clean air, fresh water, and sunlight are invaluable resources derived from healthy ecosystems. We must account for these services and invest in natural assets to sustain our livelihoods.

Mainstreaming a Regenerative Economy

Human survival has historically relied on extractive practices, leading us to the brink of collapse. Extracting fossil fuels, formed over millions of years, appears cheap, yet it depletes finite resources and pollutes our environment. Transitioning to a regenerative mindset involves restoring degraded lands, planting trees, and purifying water within a Circular Bio-Economy framework. Policies should remove the $7 trillion fossil fuel subsidy, establish nature markets, and develop instruments like carbon and biodiversity credits to incentivize ecosystem restoration.

Practicing Active Non-Violence

Active non-violence is not passivity but a deliberate and strategic approach to conflict resolution. It requires preparation, discipline, and clear political analysis. We must resist injustice while maintaining empathy and avoiding blame. Effective communication is essential, especially when addressing divisive issues like meat consumption. Though industrial meat production is a major emitter, regenerative grazing practices can be more sustainable. Open, honest discussions about such solutions can drive constructive change.

Looking ahead to 2025, I aspire to spend more time in nature, appreciate its beauty, support landscape restoration, and create green jobs worldwide. I also hope to engage in meaningful dialogues that foster solutions to personal and global challenges. By healing ourselves, we can heal the world and leave a legacy worthy of this planet’s beauty.