The Symbiosis Between Humanity and the Natural Environment — Reflections from a PHCA
Melody Wu
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) PHA Campus Ambassador
As nature grows, we grow as individuals, as a community, and as a planet. In these countless days in quarantine, life has completely changed; at the same time, however, it is repairing itself. What was initially difficult was recognizing that this pandemic was a real threat — and still is. The fact that our entire global community is impacted by a clump of RNA is also real. Butso is the fact that nature and the rest of the planet is repairing itself and continuing to grow and adapt as we grow and adapt inside our homes. As levels of greenhouse gas emissions decreased with people staying home, nature has reclaimed some of what we took. We have not only realized how much we can do at home rather than traveling from place to place, but also how much we crave true human connection. Unfortunately, in communities where nature and climate already played a large role and environmental challenges were already exacerbated in the form of water security, food security, and more, the pandemic has left them even more vulnerable. The resiliency in which they have shown through it all is something I continue to deeply admire. Inequities like these are amplified by this pandemic, and serve as a wakeup call to our global community to meet these challenges together, because they impact all of us in the larger picture. All of this is to say, that as humanity grows and adapts, it cannot be without the environment, without the planet, and without community. As nature grows, we must grow with it, and when it responds, we must also respond with it.
This aspect of growing together — a symbiotic relationship, of sorts — is how I see gardening (which has certainly been the case with my little seedlings sprouting there!). I admire the great resiliency and dedication of farmers when I take up this task, and certainly my grandparents’ green thumbs in planting all sorts of vegetables, including cucumbers (featured in this photo with my shadow)! Taking up this small side hobby has made me realize how amazing it is to watch a plant grow, but also shown me the challenges of survival in a harsh environment. My first few attempts resulted in both the growth and death of these first plants, but now they are slowly growing and recovering. Once grown, these will become vegetables that I can cook with, and what remains can be used for compost to feed the soil — all in a greater cycle of eventually returning to the earth. Our symbiotic relationship is one of growth, but also recognition of our dependence on each other and the way we must respond. As a planet, we must grow together as a planetary community, and respond together to meet the complex environmental challenges of our time that increasingly are linked with our health and well-being.
