Listening to the cry of the earth from Yaounde

In recent years, I have noticed changes that are hard to ignore. The heat feels more intense, the rains more unpredictable, and after heavy downpours, parts of the city are left with blocked gutters, standing water, and waste scattered along the roads. These are not distant environmental issues; they are part of our daily reality.

What strikes me most is that, despite efforts being made, change is still slow. The government has provided trash cans, disposal systems, regulations, and hygiene personnel. Yet, many people continue to dispose of waste carelessly. In some areas, gutters are deliberately blocked, and the consequences are felt by everyone. It reflects a mindset that is difficult to change and a kind of carelessness that has become normalized.

This raises an important question for me: Is the problem only about systems, or is it also about consciousness?

In my conversations and observations, I have come to believe that awareness is still lacking. Many people are focused on immediate survival, and environmental responsibility is often seen as secondary. But if we do not act now, the long-term consequences will affect us all.

At the same time, I see hope. I have seen young people organize cleanup activities, and I have seen communities begin to ask questions about sustainability. These small actions matter. They show that change is possible.

I believe one of the strongest solutions lies in education and intentional awareness. If businesses, organizations, and especially churches take the lead in promoting environmental consciousness, we can begin to reshape mindsets. Teaching children from an early age about the importance of caring for the earth can create a new generation that sees stewardship as a responsibility, not an option.

For me, this is also deeply connected to faith. Caring for the earth is not just an environmental issue, it is a Christian responsibility. We are called to be stewards of creation, to protect and preserve what has been entrusted to us.

World Mother Earth Day reminds me that change begins with each of us. It begins with awareness, but it must lead to action. It is in the small, daily choices of how we dispose of waste, how we educate others, and how we model responsibility that transformation could take root.

As I reflect on life in Yaoundé, I am reminded that the earth is speaking. The question is whether we are ready to listen—not only listen but also importantly to respond.