Earth Sensitivity and Eco Emotion Backlog
A passion for ecological wellness & a deep reverence for the Earth is at the heart of my friendship with Julian. Recently, in a conversation, he mentioned reading about some potentially ecologically horrendous happenings in the Congo. When he told me about it, I felt 'ecological-emotion-saturated,' so I did not ask him anymore about it—”an example of the need for Earth Sensitives to process eco emotion backlog.
Days later, he forwarded me a link to the article with the title of the note reading, "That appalling Congo situation...." I felt so much trepidation when I thought about reading it and taking it in, and I told him via text that it felt too scary and sad to read.
Julian's Response to my Fear and 'Eco Emotion Backlog'
His note back read, "It's just factual and short. We need to know about it surely so we can pray about it! This really is key! I understand about the fear!"
I said, "I completely understand what you're saying; it's so incredibly painful all these things everywhere we look! What other species ruins, harms, pollutes, and destroys their own home?? Unfathomable! I know you know..."
I sat with the truth of what he said for a week or so. At the same time, I gave space to and honoured the over-saturated part of me that was trying to protect me by not allowing in any more information (until I dealt with the previous).
I Became Internally Curious about ALL of this!
I noticed repeated masterful distraction attempts to read the article. Again, I was observing this and curious.
When I opened up the article and saw the pic of lush greenery and a man taking notes, the title reads, "Congo peat swamps store three years of global carbon emissions- imminent oil drilling could release it." (The Conversation. July 21, 2022).
I could feel all the emotions bubbling up, so I began doing EFT Tapping. I wrote down whatever was coming up and noticed a real tightness in the back of my heart. After giving a voice to these feelings in this way, I felt clearer and calmer.
EFT Tapping is so profound (to me). We can give voice, and loving attention to the places that need to be heard, seen, acknowledged and understood, resulting in emotional and energetic freedom. (Please feel free to reach out if you are in need of processing any eco emotion backlog!)
The next day I pulled up the article again to see how everything was feeling. I did a bit more tapping on the remaining emotions, and this time, I read through the whole article.
If you are curious, here is a brief summary of the article:
"To reverse this valuable natural defence against climate change in the space of a few years, simply to find more of a fuel which the world already has more of than it can safely burn, is not something life on Earth can afford."
Bart Crezee and Simon Lewis.
I learned that (click this link for the article):
- The Congo peatlands are the world's largest tropical peatland complex, covering an estimated 16.7 million hectares.
- They are one of the most carbon-dense ecosystems on Earth, storing an average of 1 712 tonnes of carbon per hectare.
The article speaks about 16 proposed oil licences for sale to explore for fossil fuels in the Congo (which took place on July 28th/22) and that 'sale of rights' includes close to 1 million hectares of peat swamp forest and all that potentially would be destroyed in the process (e.g. construction of roads, pipelines etc).
The authors conclude that peatlands have helped cool the climate for thousands of years by locking up carbon, and they have estimated that up to 6 billion tonnes of CO2‚ could be released if this goes ahead!
Processing Eco Emotion Backlog
I discovered that behind the feelings of 'I can't take in any more' was sadness, despair, anger, frustration and hopelessness at the choices and decisions made on behalf of the planet that are chronically misaligned with nature's balance and miraculous perfection!
Francis Weller, in his book, "The Wild Edge of Sorrow," beautifully says,
"Our broken hearts have the potential to open us to a wider sense of identity, one capable of seeing through the partitions that have segregated self from world. Through grief, we are initiated into a more inclusive conversation between our singular lives and the soul of the world."
Francis Weller
Ah, this resonates deeply and is the Earth future that I dream of!
What if I decided not to read the article?
If I had not read the article, I would have missed the opportunity to look at a depth of emotions that needed my attention and a part of the world and ecosystem that needs my/our attention.
The two authors put their heart and soul into this article, and I am certain they intend to bring people's attention to this area. This extends to those all over the planet, passionately educating, protecting, serving and sounding off alarm bells! I honour ALL of them and their important work!
I honour Julian, who brought my attention to this and the part of him that was so bothered by these potential happening in the Congo his unconscious was trying to work through it during the night preventing a peaceful sleep.
Honouring the Deeply Feeling Part of Us
Earth Sensitive People take in and care about things VERY deeply! We NEED to honour and care for this deep feeling and compassionate part of us! In processing my eco emotion backlog, it has become easier to keep showing up and BE engaged and present for what and who needs my presence, care, heart, voice and support!
For me, what is happening in the Congo and worldwide is vitally important to know about and necessary of our loving care, attention, voice and action, and as Julian said, our prayers!
I am endlessly grateful for and inspired by ALL the world's change-makers and innovators! Who fight for and create balance, harmony, wholeness and conscious community and connections! Because of them, I look to the future with hope and optimism...
Tamara