“Humanlinks” and the environment

The environmental crisis has now been deemed a major social, economic and political issue. In conferences and international forums, it is one of the leading topics on the agendas that the various member states are asked to manage. After pressure from the scientific community and their peoples, all participants try to agree on a common policy, establishing measures that can limit the speed with which this crisis unfolds. Negotiations usually fail, or take too long until applied collectively, since some states refuse to cooperate or comply, whether to protect their own interests, or because of a political cost they avoid bearing. Moreover, weak political decisions, half-measures and limited practices followed in order to address this crisis are trapping entire societies in a destructive culture threatening the very survival of humanity.

Global or national organizations, various research centers as well as independent scientists are increasingly talking about this danger, setting timelines for the survival of the human species. Activist groups and a large number of independent, conscious citizens, who are becoming progressively favored by the general population, are protesting outside the walls of closed-door meetings between cross-national representatives. At the same time, they themselves organize their own political meetings and working groups consisting of a cross-cultural pluralistic “bouquet” of individuals, political groups, research scientists and sensitized citizens.

Undoubtedly, the consequences of climate change are now apparent on a large scale: first through natural disasters, such as floods, fires in large forestland and melting ice; then, with poverty and the greater implications this has on public health. Furthermore, scientific statistics predict that in the near future there will be displacement of populations from large tracts of land that will no longer be viable due to illegal profiteering practices, such as, for example, large-scale logging in the Amazon. Desertification, overfishing and coastal inundation due to rising sea levels will contribute to these movements. Public health, including mental health, is affected directly or indirectly in various forms, its effects becoming evident over time. They manifest as diseases with physical symptoms long-term, and for future generations through genetic or gene heredity. Modern man, having developed awareness to focus on the body and its functions, does not realize that climate change and the environmental crisis affect his psyche as well.

Mental function is the most fragile part of human nature, affected accordingly each time by any change occurring in the immediate or greater personal and social space or the environment. This effect is often not realized, as it takes place on a deeper level and is usually not experienced due to its slow development in comparison to the overall grand human nature. Other important factors are the defense mechanisms of the psyche pertaining to fear of personal annihilation and destruction. Phenomena with an impact on both a social and a psychological level are observed during natural hazards, such as earthquakes and wildfires.

Moreso, as part of the environment, man has always been in a direct and dynamic interaction with it. For the most part throughout his time, man was in tune, and connected, with the environment having a harmonious coexistence. In his consciousness it was registered as something natural and alive. However, the more distanced he became from himself, in the context of a galloping economic development and technological evolution shaping the corresponding cultural background, the more distanced he became from the environment, losing the most important and secure relationship with the place he calls home, the environment itself.

Nowadays, man, expelled from his own inner “place”, is like a mental refugee, so in order to manage this loss he instead created a relationship of control and exploitation with the environment. He convinced himself that a sense of ownership would make up for his lost place, his home. The results of this personal crisis are obvious in the enormous environmental changes, with disastrous consequences for both man and the planet.

Besides, research shows that social unrest is predicted due to this environmental crisis. The dimensions of this shift are tremendous and man, accustomed to living in his geographical and cultural microcosm, is unable to grasp it. However, the effect on his psyche is crucial; he must rethink and reflect on things culture-wise, and on having awakenings both on an individual and a social level.

In this context, recognizing the importance of this relationship, affecting and determining mental health at an individual or social level, people joined the main sections of our programs. We are aspiring to highlight how this two-way relationship interacts and the impact it has on both sides. Apart from offering information and social awareness, our aim is to support and strengthen the idea of deeper research on this relationship, through creative and productive dialogue, while organizing a network of people involved not only in scientific, social, and institutional issues, but also with those of mental health and the environment.

Through further scrutiny, we believe that the level of consciousness of humanity is the main cause of a large part of this crisis. Despite all warnings and constant evidence about the crisis, the solution strategies are limited to half-measures, ignoring the more essential response that we are called to give as a science and as a society as to, what is the true inner relationship we  have with the environment? When this awakening and transformation take place, the benefits shall be remarkable.

Activities:

  1. Workshops for expressing and sharing experiences about issues regarding the environmental crisis or natural hazards (earthquake, floods, fires, etc.)
  2. Open talks with scientists and experienced professionals on environmental issues
  3. Raising awareness about biodynamic farming
  4. Art workshops with school students on environmental issues

Activities with special groups, individuals who’ve had issues with mental health, physical disabilities, or as senior citizens.

Art and the environment: visual arts exhibitions, performance events, street music concerts

Collaboration and networking: The National Observatory of Athens, Schools, The Region of Attica, The Municipality of Athens, The National Museum of Modern Art, The Acropolis Museum

Social media: Radio, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok