A month of uncertainty

AMERE month has passed in the new decade, yet it seems to feel as if many years have gone by. Fires and drought in Australia, volcanic eruptions in Taal, earthquakes in Puerto Rico, threats of a world war from the United States and Iran, mass locust infestation in Somalia, and a global pandemic of the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease exponentially spreading from China — all occurring within this seemingly short timescale of a month.

The weight of the world has never felt heavier, more burdened by the thought of the growing threats of the climate crisis and xenophobia.

All of them nowhere near over.

These global issues threatening our envir o n m e n t , health, security and economy are painfully taking a toll on the different governments, institutions and individuals trying to find cures and extinguishing fires to at least solve one thing.

The state of the world has never felt more uncertain. Uncertain to a point that is paralyzing — leading to inaction and ignorance from a society that is already full of it. Yet, with all the drudgery that entails these issues around the world, the reality is that more is asked of us to fight these insurmountable battles placed upon our countries and communities. To do more and to act more for the people severely and directly affected by these conflicts in the world. Volunteer in relief operations; donate money to charitable organizations; initiate projects; stop spreading fake news — all of which may seem insignificant, but every single action offers an extra hand to carry the weight and brunt of these burdens. It is only with the strength of togetherness while extinguishing feelings of hate and thoughts of disparity can we strive to solve and act upon these intertwining global issues that have affected us already. From a canceled flight because of the coronavirus to the increasing prices of commodities, and from ash falling in the city to water and electricity shortages — these problems seen day in and day out on our social media newsfeed may all seem removed, but it has affected our daily lives more than we know.

And as every single day of this new decade passes, I do remain doubtful yet hopeful about where we are heading as a society, only enamored of the communities continuing to fight for life at large. Yet with all the questions and doubts this new decade has offered and continues to offer, the certainty we can hold onto is that we all lead to one same future, no matter how uncertain. For this, all we need to believe is that we can make a difference. A reality that our future is divided by a mere thin line of the choices and actions we make — both good and bad, only hoping that we are headed to a better and just tomorrow.