Coincidence? I Think Not
November 29, 2024
Yesterday, I sat at Magic Café with my daughter, enjoying coffee. We often use these moments to dive into thought-provoking topics, and this time was no different. Our conversation turned to the impact of concrete construction (beton) on the climate and, specifically, on our island.
I shared my frustration: having meaningful discussions about these issues here feels nearly impossible because, as a community, we rarely engage with philosophical thinking. To illustrate my point, I referenced her grandfather, Roel (as she calls him), and his inaugural lecture at the University of the Netherlands Antilles in 2006: “Governance as a Prosthesis for Virtue.”
In that lecture, he outlined two opposing philosophies regarding humanity’s relationship with nature:
1. Master of the Universe: Humans dominate nature, bending it to their will and exploiting it for their purposes.
2. The Indigenous Perspective: Humans see themselves as an integral part of nature, living in harmony with it, taking only what is needed, and restoring what they use.
Sadly, we’ve embraced mainly the “Master of the Universe” mind-set. Worse, we’ve dismissed the Indigenous perspective as primitive, failing to recognize its wisdom. My daughter summed it up in one word: “stewardship.”
Her comment reminded me of an old saying: “The Earth is not ours; we’ve merely borrowed it from our children.” Yet this idea never took root here—and that’s a missed opportunity.
Coincidentally, today is the third annual CCCP conference. I had planned to attend, but I couldn’t muster the energy. Fortunately, I followed some updates online and saw that https://www.klimakorsou.com/nl/kaarten had been launched. The site features maps showing how our coastline will change—a topic I’d raised just days ago.
You’d think I’d be pleased, just as I should be with Aqualectra’s wind energy project. And yet, I’m not. Why? Because these initiatives lack one critical element: public involvement.
Last year, at this very conference, I proposed three simple ideas:
1. Every household plants a tree.
2. Every household collects rainwater.
3. Every household installs a solar panel.
Twelve months later, no one seems to remember those suggestions. More importantly, there’s been no meaningful effort to engage citizens in these grassroots solutions. Decisions are being made in isolation, disconnected from those they’re meant to serve.
Later this morning, another coincidence struck: I found an essay by Indian author Amitav Ghosh titled “Western Dominance Is End-ing.” In it, Ghosh critiques modernity, arguing that it is rooted in a flawed Western worldview—that humans are the rulers of the Earth. He suggests that this mindset has led to our current crises, from climate change to geopolitical instability.
Ghosh calls for a return to premodern beliefs, where natural entities like rivers, trees, and animals were seen as living, conscious beings and part of a larger, interconnected whole. He argues that humanity must abandon the exploitative mindset of the “Master of the Universe” to have a future.
Reading his essay, I couldn’t help but see the same dichotomy my daughter and I had discussed: Master of the Universe versus the Indigenous Perspective. The two philosophies are at odds, yet one offers hope while the other perpetuates destruction.
Perhaps it’s just me, but I can’t shake the feeling that the CCCP conference—and many similar initiatives—are little more than exercises in self-congratulation. Without genuine public engagement and a shift in mindset, these efforts will struggle to create real change.
If we want to make progress, we need to move beyond the idea of dominance and embrace stewardship. It’s not enough to present plans and maps; we must involve people, foster connections, and rethink our relationship with the world around us.
So, can we embrace the wisdom of the Indigenous perspective? Can we plant trees, collect rainwater, and harness solar energy as policies and a collective way of life?
It’s worth reflecting on. Coincidence? I think not.
Miguel Goede
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