Samuel Campos: Forest Bathing and Ecotherapy

Have you ever thought about natural disasters as the Earth’s way of communicating? Earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis may feel random, but they’re part of the planet’s natural rhythms, reminding us how small we are compared to its massive system. What I find fascinating is how humans have always tried to make sense of these events. In ancient times, disasters were often seen as messages from gods or forces of nature, like the Japanese myth of Namazu, a giant catfish blamed for earthquakes. Even the word “disaster” comes from Greek, meaning “bad star,” linking catastrophic events to divine or cosmic imbalance. Over time, we’ve moved toward scientific explanations, using terms like “seismic activity” and “tectonic movement,” but I think it’s interesting how old ideas, like calling nature “angry” or referring to “Mother Earth” still stick around in how we talk about these things. Religion and language also play a big role in how we process these events. Stories like the biblical great flood framed disasters as lessons or tests, offering meaning and comfort when people needed to rebuild. It makes me wonder, do those kinds of stories still help people today, even when we understand the science? On a global scale, language has shifted to focus on human responsibility. Terms like "climate change" make it clear we play a part in influencing disasters, and that pushes governments to take action, like creating disaster-prep programs or passing environmental laws. For me, the coolest thing is how language helps us connect everything, from understanding what’s happening under our feet to inspiring solutions for a better future. It’s like the Earth talks to us, and how we interpret its voice says a lot about who we are and where we’re going.