“The forest symbolizes life itself”

Can you please introduce yourself?  

Marina Cruz: I am Marina Cruz, a member of the Mayan Indigenous group known as the Maya Tz'utujil. Our community resides near Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. From a young age, I've been immersed in the rich cultural heritage of my ancestors, walking alongside my father and learning the traditional Mayan worldview. Today, I proudly carry on this legacy as a spiritual guide, sharing the wisdom passed down by my grandmothers and grandfathers. 

How is climate change affecting your country and community?  

Marina Cruz: Climate change affects every corner of the globe, manifesting itself in various destructive ways. Unfortunately, the rampant pursuit of mining and megaprojects, driven by profit-seeking millionaires, is exacerbating this crisis by destroying the environment. Guatemala, like many other places, is not immune to this exploitation, resulting in tangible consequences such as dwindling rivers and escalating temperatures. This ongoing degradation directly contradicts the values and objectives of our people, highlighting the urgent need for action. 

How do your personal endeavors contribute to influencing global collective efforts? 

Marina Cruz: Community work is essential, embodying the core principle of our people's strength and essence. It fosters sharing and knowledge exchange, preserving our living tradition rooted in oral history. Each of us contributes to this communal effort, recognizing the importance of our individual paths. I constantly navigate between solitude, my community and broader humanity, driven by my mission as a Maya Tz'utujil. My role encompasses being a spiritual guide and timekeeper, reflecting our Mayan tradition of reverence for cyclical time. My mission is to amplify the voices of my ancestors and advocate for nature conservation, rooted in spiritual connection rather than preaching. We express gratitude to the elements for sustaining life, acknowledging our interconnectedness with Mother Earth and the responsibility to care for her. 

What is your message to world leaders?  

Marina Cruz: My message to world leaders is a plea for conscience. They hold responsibility for authorizing permits to mining and exploitative companies, effectively selling off our precious Mother Earth and its resources. It's disheartening to see governments prioritizing profit over the well-being of humanity and the planet. If leaders truly embody their roles, they must take meaningful action to serve humanity and protect our environment. Pursuing wealth at the expense of our planet's health is not true happiness; it's time to prioritize life and consciousness over profit. There will come a time when essential resources like water and air cannot be bought or artificially produced. Therefore, I urge a halt to the permissions granted to these destructive endeavors. 

Which are your greatest hopes? And your greatest fears? 

Marina Cruz: On this planet, one of my greatest hopes lies in raising awareness. As we become more conscious, we begin to care for Mother Earth. Decreasing the use of pollutant items like plastic bags is a tangible step towards contributing to a cleaner environment and preserving the breath of life. By taking action to clean rivers and lakes, we uphold purity and respect for our natural surroundings. Unfortunately, fear looms large as rivers dry up and lakes turn into deserts, highlighting the urgent need for forgiveness and awareness of our resource usage. It's our collective desire to reconnect with life itself, moving away from the competitive, fast-paced mentality that neglects the well-being of future generations. Mother Earth is the seed of life, and it's time for us to embrace our role in nurturing and preserving her.