EDITORIAL | WHENUA | TOUCHING GRASS
Written by Liam Hansen (they/them) | @liamhanse.n | Editor-in-Chief
Edited by Tashi Donnelly (she/her) | @tashi_rd | Feature Editor
Illustrated by Stella Roper (they/she) | @dodofrenzy | Arts Editor
Don’t get put off by the memey title of this one - this is our nature issue for 2025. Or our green issue, or environment issue, or climate change, or sustainability - however you want to refer to this silly little planet we live on and the way it’s been affected by industrialisation and aspects of our society that take a physical toll on the health of the planet.
I’ve already spoken at length about the terrifying state of the planet - my last green issue editorial was in and of itself a synopsis of the pieces I had done for our nature-themed issues in my first few years at Debate, and concluded with the same level of jaded desperation for something to change in the face of the climate crisis directly affecting my childhood community in Waitākere.
I think I’ve now become tired of being tired. We’ve reached a new rock bottom with the attitudes of our politicians towards the climate crisis. It feels like we can’t even begin to think about progress when everyone in power is actively trying to take us back to the 1950s. It’s been harder to think about the climate when the very lives and rights of trans people in Aotearoa are called into question, and the founding document of our nation is being thrown aside like a ball of paper. That’s not to mention the cost-of-living crisis has made climate-conscious choices a privilege many can no longer afford.
Hence, we’re pulling the focus of this issue to the joy of nature and disconnection, in the face of kaitiakitanga being threatened on a regular basis. The theme is an obvious nod to young people telling each other to “go touch grass”, a euphemism for disconnecting from the internet and its algorithmic brain rotting to go experience nature and life in general. But I think that the phrase is more than just a jab at chronically online nerds. It signals a wider angst among young people who have grown up as digital natives in a highly technologically advanced society.
There are certain conveniences we’ve been offered as a standard in our lives thanks to the internet. We have constant access to an immediate database of almost all human knowledge, global communication, and tasks that once took hours now take minutes. However, we’re seeing a widespread refusal for the internet to completely engulf our lives - despite how badly Mark Zuckerberg wants us to live inside the Metaverse. If you’re reading this, you probably know someone who collects records or books, despite the fact that a technically more convenient option is available. You probably have plans to go out this weekend, even though you could scratch a social itch with Character AI. Hell, you might be reading this very editorial in one of our printed copies. Fundamentally, we could get the same job done with just our website and Instagram page, but even the thought of that is hellish.
The revival of physical media and life beyond our phones isn’t due to a bunch of hipsters running rampant. Humans crave meaningful experiences over pure convenience, even if it’s just the occasional home-cooked meal instead of a bowl of instant ramen. It’s genuinely just depressing to stay inside on your phone all the time. While going outside obviously isn’t some miracle cure to all ailments, letting the beauty of the natural world and leads to an increased quality of life. As much as my edgelord teenage self loved pretending to be an internet resident who was perfectly happy socialising solely via group chats and avoiding sunlight, it was impossible to tolerate complete and utter isolation - especially post-COVID. Yes, touching grass means you might get sweaty, and you might accidentally get bitten by a mosquito and be annoyed for the rest of the day - but we need to cherish and celebrate the world outside of the internet to avoid becoming dull, tired, and depressed.
Throughout this issue, you’ll find more sustainable ways to reassess your personal relationship with nature and the outside world. We’re not aiming to guilt trip anyone who's introverted and prefers chilling inside - but these pieces recommend ways to find a balance between the convenience and dopamine of the internet, and the joy and serenity of everything else. From the depression curing effects of lawn chairs, to illustriously beautiful albums inspired by nature, to recollections on the way nature has informed belief systems for centuries. By all means, spend tonight chilling out at home - but if it's been three weeks since you’ve left the house and your vitamin D levels are at an all-time low, please - go touch some fucking grass.
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