Learning from Martí's love of nature

By María Josefina Arce

José Martí wrote: "The world bleeds without ceasing before the crimes committed against nature". And it is precisely the environmental crisis that is one of the most pressing problems facing the planet and that Cuba's National Hero knew how to see it early on.

That is why, as part of the Fifth International Conference For the Balance of the World, which is taking place in Havana, the protection of the environment, very present in Marti's multifaceted thinking, occupies an essential place.

The apostle experienced a great love and respect for nature, from which, he affirmed, man cannot be separated because it would be a monstrous attack.

Hence, one of the activities within the Conference is the International Symposium "Nature and Man", a space convened by the José Martí Cultural Society, the Antonio Nuñez Jiménez Foundation for Nature and Man, and other Cuban and foreign organizations and institutions.

The idea is to take from Martí's ideology his teachings on how the relationship between humanity and the environment should be, in the face of the great challenge posed today by climate change, which leads to the occurrence of more intense meteorological phenomena that endanger life on earth.

A danger about which a convinced Martiano, the historic leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro, also warned more than three decades ago. In 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Fidel warned that an important biological species was at risk of disappearing due to the rapid and progressive liquidation of its natural living conditions: man.

Hence, the aim of this meeting in Havana is to delve deeper into issues that are essential for the survival of the planet, such as the proper harmony between the well-being of humanity, the preservation of the environment, peace and sustainable development.

And also to coordinate effective policies for the care of our planet, today exposed to the loss of its great wealth due to the devastating action of many in search of profit. The Master said it clearly when he emphasized: "Nature groans without the powerful wanting to listen".

It is a good opportunity to unite wills and make developed countries comply with the agreed commitments to reduce their polluting actions, and to contribute so that the poorest can adapt to climate change.

Likewise, education on the care of the environment occupies a primordial place, an aspect to which the apostle also granted vital importance when he said: "... to teach the child not only the alphabet of words but also the alphabet of nature...".

José Martí is an inexhaustible source of knowledge. His work transmits values, teaches us to be better men and women in all aspects. That is why it is necessary to study his ideas in order to face today's challenges, among them the care of the planet.