Thriving Through Adversity: Ancestral Wisdom and Environmental Justice

This four-poem collection pays homage to ancestral knowledge-sharing while critiquing the dominance of violent Western epistemic academic structures. Written in an autobiographical and free-verse style reminiscent of my grandfather’s storytelling, the poems draw inspiration from personal experiences and a commitment to environmental justice. They weave a narrative of ancestral resilience and personal growth and conceptualize my work. The first poem delves into intergenerational trauma and environmental resilience during El Salvador’s Civil War, reflecting on coping strategies, ancestral healing legacies, and my environmental justice journey. The second poem traces my journey from a challenging upbringing to a PhD in Environmental Science, emphasizing ancestral guidance, commitment to justice, and resilience against oppression. The third poem focuses on reconnecting with family and Indigenous heritage, advocating for cultural preservation and restorative environmental justice. The fourth poem introduces “Cryptonocene” as a framework for studying the social-environmental-health impacts of cryptocurrencies and related technologies, particularly in El Salvador. It emphasizes the environmental consequences of cryptocurrency mining, urging a nuanced understanding of the digital age’s impact on ecosystems and societies—contributing to critical environmental justice and sustainable development discourse. Ultimately, the collection tells a story of resistance, healing, and advocacy for a more equitable and sustainable future. One of the goals is to establish a decolonized database, braiding reflections, theory, and resources embedded in the footnotes. It extends an invitation to collaborate with Indigenous scholars and marginalized communities, particularly in Central America. Emphasizing environmental justice, Indigenous rights, and co-creating knowledge for positive change for the Earth and its inhabitants.