New CLA Research Cluster Focuses on Environmental and Health Concerns
These were among the insightful questions raised by attendees at the launching of the College of Liberal Arts thematic cluster for Sustainability, Health and Well-Being, held on March 7, 2024 at the Research Commons. It was the last of the CLA clusters to be launched, according to Dean Rhoderick Nuncio in his remarks, following those introduced earlier in the areas of Public Humanities; Democracy and Education for Peace and Human Rights; AI Platforms; and Environmental Sustainability and Academic Action.
The event was highlighted by two presentations addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals: “Nurturing Sustainable Research Futures in the College of Liberal Arts of DLSU” by Department of Sociology and Behavioral Science chair and associate professor Dr. Marlon Era, relating to SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities; and “Climate Change and Mental Health Nexus in the Global South: Experiences and Perspectives from the Philippines” by Dr. John Jamir Benzon Aruta, associate professor of the Department of Psychology, relating to SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-Being.
In the first presentation, Dr. Era cited examples of how academe can contribute to attaining the SDGs, in his own participation in three initiatives: A DLSU-Cebu Institute of Technology collaboration to establish an SDG City; the Academe-Business-Government partnerships for addressing SDGs in the Philippines; and studying the role of the elderly in disaster response in the City of Iloilo. He identified ways in which academic institutions like CLA can help achieve sustainability, including introducing start-up incubating platforms to entertain concepts and ideas to address problems; arranging seminars to initiate dialogue; ensuring that the curriculum addresses real market problems; facilitating research funding; and inspiring students to pursue research.
The second presentation followed, with Dr. Aruta introducing the notion of climate anxiety, an experience that is not uncommon in the Philippines since it has a vulnerable climate. Anxiety can occur directly when disasters cause trauma and depression, or indirectly when agricultural spaces are affected, resulting in the stress of not having food on the table. He further spoke of the situation of climate injustice, particularly in the Global South, which does not contribute highly to the emission of fossil fuels yet suffers from its most severe consequences, including mental illness. To contend with these circumstances, he encouraged everyone to “be a Good Ancestor,” fostering an awareness of the severe income inequality, lack of resources, and gender abuse wrought by colonization, and fulfilling the possibilities of reducing intergenerational injustice.
The event was emceed by DSBS associate professor and SDRC research fellow Dr. Crisanto Regadio, Jr. with SDRC Director Dr. Homer Yabut inviting faculty and students to join in efforts to develop new courses and craft researches on sustainability, and forge partnerships with communities affected by climate change.
