Elasticity and Ecological Drama  

 We are, without a doubt, already confronting global warming, which presents a grave danger for the future of the planet and of humanity. Not only are the ecological groups highly mobilized, but also great entrepreneurs, and the central and the peripheral States.

We live in urgent times, because it is not impossible that the Earth could suddenly enter a state of chaos. Unimaginable catastrophes could occur, that could affect the biosphere and decimate millions of human beings. But we do not consider this situation as a tragedy that could end in disaster, but as a crisis that reveals and sets aside that which is aggregate or accidental, and liberates a nucleus of values, visions and alternative practices that must serve as bases for a new essay in civilization. It depends on us to ensure that climatic disturbances are not transformed into tragedies but into crises of growth, towards a better level in the relationship of human beings and nature.

In this context it is worth considering the concept of elasticity [ resiliência in Portuguese], not much used among us, but one that appears more and more in thoughtful circles.   

The term comes from metallurgy and medicine. In metallurgy, it is the quality that metals have to regain their original state without deformity, after enduring heavy pressure. In medicine, in osteology, it is the capacity of the bones to regrow correctly after suffering a serious fracture. From these fields, the concept spread to other areas such as education, psychology, pedagogy, ecology, business management ... in short, to all living phenomena that imply fluctuations, adaptations, crises, and the overcoming of failures or stress.

Elasticity implies two components: resistance to adversity - the capacity to stay whole when subjected to great demands and pressures, and the capacity to face difficulties, learn from defeat and creatively rebuild, transforming the negative aspects into new opportunities and advantages. In a word, all complex adaptive systems, at any level, are elastic systems. This is the same for every human being, and the whole system of the earth.

The risks that accompany global warming, with the scarcity of drinking water, the extinction of the biodiversity and the crucifixion of this Earth that has a Third World face and hangs from the cross of suffering, must be seen not so much as failures, but as challenges that invite substantial changes that will enrich our life in our unique Common Home. The worst approach is to resign and do nothing, because that implies renouncing elasticity, and creative solutions.

Students of elasticity tell us that to be positively elastic we need above all to cultivate the affective link, in our case, with the Earth: to care for her with understanding, compassion and love; to ease her pain through rational and moderate use of her resources, renouncing all violence against her ecosystems. The North must stage a sustainable retreat of her consumerist thirst, so that the South may have sustainable development, in harmony with the community of life. It is important to stimulate optimism, because life has passed through countless forms of devastation and it has always been elastic and has grown in biodiversity. It is determinative that we project a utopic horizon that gives meaning to our alternatives, that will configure the new that will save us all. In this unhealthy environment it is important to maintain health; such that Gaia will also be healthy and benevolent with us all.

Free translation from the Spanish sent by
contacto@servicioskoinonia.org , done at
REFUGIO DEL RIO GRANDE, Texas