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122 JUDIT FARKAS
Two case studies
Anthropologists are convinced that their discipline reguires relevant knowledge
to enable them to contribute to contemporary environmental problems. With
their help, one can describe "how the Anthropocene and climate change appear
from a non-European, non-metropolitan perspective” (Cs. Mészáros 2019: 153).
Below, I summarize two case studies which exemplify this conviction.
The first example concerns the attitude of two fishing communities, San Andres
and Olo-olo in the Philippines, to changes in the climate and the environment,
with the help of Katharine L. Wiegele’s research (2019). Both villages are situated
next to the Verde Island Passage, the world’s most important marine ecological
zone, part of the Coral Triangle.
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Figure 1. Fishermen from the Philippines.
Source: https://i2.wp.com/philnews.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/fishermen-1.jpg
The two communities are affected differently by the impacts of environmentalism
(education, protected areas), tourism, proximity to industry, state of terrestrial and
marine habitats, and use of fishing methods. Some of the people live by fishing.
They roam the seas by ships, so it is vital for them to have reliable circumstances,
to guarantee a sure haul. Others live from farming and only fish from small boats
for their own consumption. Yet the customary, safe natural circumstances are just
as important for them as for the professional fishermen.
In recent years, however, grave changes have occurred: the long peaceful period
suitable for fishing is disappearing, the weather is unreliable, the arrival of tornadoes
is incalculable, and life is further aggravated by extreme heat waves and drought.
The presence of fish has also become spotty: sometimes they do not appear for
weeks, or even months, during the fishing season. Besides, the sea level is constantly
rising, already threatening homes. The experiences about nature and livelihood
which were valid for many generations in the past do not work anymore.