Reflection on Perpetual Crisis Living Conditions

In the year that has passed, the world has been marked by an extended period of instability and insecurity, a phenomenon coined as "permacrisis." This term, named Word of the Year 2022 by Collins Dictionary, reflects the social and political contexts we find ourselves in.

The year began with the ongoing crisis of the pandemic, followed by the invasion of Ukraine, flooding in Pakistan, inflation, rising carbon emissions, and warming temperatures. Amidst this chaos, communities around the world have shown remarkable resilience.

Across the U.S., activists have put their freedom on the line to stop fossil fuel development. In St. James, Louisiana, a massive petrochemical facility was successfully blocked, preventing further carbon emissions and worsening environmental justice conditions. Similarly, in California, the state Senate passed a bill instituting a setback between oil wells and communities.

The beauty of these acts of resistance lies in their potential to create a different future. Just as in the animated film "Princess Mononoke," amidst chaos, the protagonists travel through a lush and beautiful landscape, come to trust each other, and fall in love. In the film, Miyazaki writes: "even in the midst of hatred and killings, there are things worth living for. A wonderful meeting, or a beautiful thing can exist."

The roots of "perma-" in "permacrisis" can be traced to the present participle, permanere, meaning to go on, persist, survive. This resilience is evident in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona, where communities kept each other fed through mutual aid networks formed in the aftermath of Maria.

However, it's important to remember that the climate crisis itself is rooted deeper than just in modern emissions. Its origins lie in the systems of extraction, colonization, and racism that created the conditions for catastrophe. It is a crisis that requires not just individual acts of resistance, but systemic change.

As we look towards the future, it's clear that we are at a critical point. With climate change and other ongoing crises, we must continue to strive for a more sustainable and equitable world, one that allows us to dream of different futures-to live on. The beauty in "Princess Mononoke" serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is hope.