Self-Awareness For The Future Environment

     Talking about consciousness, do you know what consciousness is? Consciousness is the mental capacity to understand, feel, and respond to the environment and be aware of one's own existence.

    Is it true that this awareness has an important relationship with the future environment? Yes, it’s true!. Awareness has a very important relationship with the future of the environment because people’s actions usually begin with what they understand and care about.

    When people are aware of environmental issues such as pollution, climate change, deforestation, or waste problems, they are more likely to:

• reduce plastic use,
• save energy and water,
• support environmentally friendly policies,
• protect nature, and
• encourage others to care as well.

    Without awareness, many environmental problems continue because people may not realize the impact of their daily actions. In contrast, awareness can lead to education, responsibility, and collective action, which are essential for creating a healthier and more sustainable future.

    Why is this trivial in the eyes of society because improving morale is taboo and sounds like regulation?

    Many people might consider it "trivial" because discussions about improving morals or behavior can easily be associated with judgment, control, or restrictions on personal freedom. In modern society, people often place a high value on individual choice, so when someone talks about improving morality? It's coercive, overly idealistic, and creates social rules that feel restrictive.

    Furthermore, morality is viewed differently across cultures, generations, and personal beliefs. Because of these differences, conversations about morality can be sensitive or controversial, leading some to avoid them or deem them unnecessary.

    At the same time, many social issues actually involve morality such as environmental awareness. And this is discussed in terms of Environmental Sociology, where we will discuss it with a touch of psychology.

    Why Do Moral Issues Feel "Taboo"?

    There are several psychological and social reasons why people today tend to be defensive when they hear the words "morals" or rules:

•     Moral Policing Trauma (Social Judgment): In the past (and even now), in many people's minds, the word "moral" often comes in the form of judgments about who is right and who is wrong. When environmental issues are discussed as a "moral obligation," people feel judged or accused of being "bad people" if they forget to bring eco-friendly shopping bags.

•     Psychological Reactions (Reactance): Psychologically, humans have a natural tendency to resist when their freedom feels restricted. When an invitation feels like a restrictive new rule, our brains automatically interpret it as a threat to our autonomy.

•     Compassion Fatigue: People are already bombarded with various life problems (economic, job, health, and the unfavorable global political situation). When the added burden of being exposed to the term "environmental morality" is added, fatigue arises. Considering it "trivial" is often a defense mechanism to avoid feeling guilty continuously.

    Many have asked why this article contains the word "morality" instead of the phrase "common interest".

    

    Semantic Shift: Morality Vs Common Good

    The word "morality" naturally creates a vertical hierarchy (righteous and sinners). However, "common good" establishes a horizontal relationship (we are all in the same boat). Without realizing that what is discussed in this article is about going from "Rules" to "Results", this becomes a concern and pressure that we actually need to reflect on our lives now because this has an impact on the natural environment. Because it is related to our attitude towards the environment, even if it is only a small thing, because environmental responsibility is not only the responsibility of the authorities or communities or even large organizations, but the responsibility of each individual.