AMBOT” is Cebuano for “I don’t know.” It usually is coupled with “lang” to make “ambot lang” which means “I don’t know” and said with a shudder as a sign of helplessness and futility. I thought of this word and this phrase in the aftermath of typhoon “Ambo,” no relation.

Ever since I became conscious of the typhoon season that meant suspension or cancellation of classes, I remember first typhoons usually coming in June or July with the strongest rains in August and September plus minus a month or two. April is right in the middle of summer—the beach, the sun, the sand and buko juice. A typhoon this month? “Ambot” lang.

The perennial natural disaster mentality is in Bicol facing the Pacific Ocean, so named because of its calm waters - no more. Some years ago, a supertyphoon hit paradise in Palawan, devastating red corrals. Now, another one cuts through the Visayas—raining on Dumaguete and Puerto Princesa several hundred kilo­meters away from Legaspi. It is strange. “Ambot” lang.

Perhaps it is not so strange after all for climate change is here. Change is permanent it is said, why should climate stay constant. Despite the menu of theories and findings on the extinction of dominant dinosaurs millions of years ago, to my simple mind, it is obvious that it is the rapid and disastrous change in the air, water and land that killed the T-Rex’s loved by my nephew.

Talking about dominance, man and his activities is the T-Rex of today—even more pervasive, domineering, reckless, fierce, big, crushing and with small brains. Climate change may yet be the cause of man’s downfall if he has not fallen yet. The forgotten ruins of ancient civilizations leave no clue to their demise except unfa­vorable weather conditions much like the saltwater fish in an aquarium suddenly filled with fresh water.

In London, thick snow fell in spring. In Paris, cold waves hit shoppers along the Champs. In Los Angeles, heat waves ignite fires. In Manila, public school children will be taught environmental sustainability including climate change as part of the national curricula. Who teaches the adults?

Lately, I carry a jute bag around to lessen reliance on plastic bags. Better yet, let us charge for each use. Notice the frenzy to ask for more and more bags at the supermarket checkout counters. It was a life-changing experience for me when diving off Panglao Island, I saw a young marine turtle chasing a floating plastic bag and nibbling at it.

And then there are the plastic water bottles, prized for convenience and freshness of its contents. I wonder if there are more of them—or street children. That is an uncharitable comparison brought about by man and the evil that lurks in his heart. Climate change is directly attributed to the seven deadly sins. It is true that in the long run, we all die. At least with climate change, Filipinos don’t feel singled out. We are bound by the same fate as the rich Americans, the newly rich Chinese and the poor Africans. It is racial equality of a different and weird kind.

We begin to see mankind as bound in a single destiny. We ought to act singly too and that means collectively—not to prioritize a country’s oil needs over another’s food crisis, not to build frivolous structures when many seek shelter under tin roofs, not to splurge on Emma­nuel Ungaro when your neighbor can’t count.

Your property is not yours. The idea of stewardship has been with us and we have not taken it seriously. Your life is not yours. The notion of service is ingrained in us and we chose to ignore it. Does this make sense? “Ambot” lang