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Days ago I came across this butterfly from the photo flying in my backyard. The next day I saw her again, but with the a hurt in its wing and I spent some time with this sweet butterfly on my knee. I didn't know what to do, if I let should let it follow its cycle or if I shoul try to "cure" her, then I tried to make her comfortable as much as possible between the plants. The other day she was died. And in the other, there was no trace of the butterfly's existence. It became a resource for other organisms because "in nature nothing is created, nothing is lost, everything is transformed" as Lavoisier said.

I'm still thinking about the butterfly, I felt like writing about it. Or rather, on the subjects that it inspired me. At first I thought it was strange that this butterfly was in my backyard, because I know the kinds of “butterfly face” that appears at home and when I saw her I thought “Uh, it looks like a monarch butterfly, but here at my home is the first time I see one”. The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexipuss) in its larval stage feeds on the leaves of Asclepias, plants that have a white sap (toxic to other animals, but do not affect the monarch's in any way) which contributes by making its body highly toxic to chase away predators. A normal monarch butterfly lives only about four weeks, but there is a special generation of these butterflies called the Methuselah generation. This generation can live for months because they travel more than 4,000 km. Each fall, monarchs leave their summer habitats in the northern United States and Canada on their way to their winter habitats in California and Mexico. In order to follow this path, they have migratory corridors, but these regions have been dominated by the creation of herbicide-resistant corn and soybeans. The herbicides in turn have been eradicating what producers consider weeds and other unwanted plants, including Asclepias, which would feed monarch butterflies. Climate change is also interfering and causing changes in habitats that cause greater distances. Research points to the appearance of some of them with larger wings to be able to travel greater distances, showing that the species is trying to adapt in some way. But the fact is that the population of monarch butterflies has declined by more than 80% in the past two decades. If the population of monarchs continues to decline, it will reach a point where the species will not be able to rise.

And speaking of adaptability, are we humans not super adaptable beings?

Aware then that this insect (and others) has been losing habitat what can we do in our microsphere? Right now, I am addressing people who feel connected to the planet, belonging to the biosphere as a whole and with a sense of ownership, responsible not only for the problems, but especially for the solutions. What can we do in the face of something that seems so far from our transformative power? To help the monarchs, those who have a yard with land can transform their space by planting Asclepias (looking for an Asclepia native to their region) which in addition to serving as food for the monarch's caterpillars will also make the space cool with flowers. But if you don't find this plant, let's think about other butterflies, these super important beings in pollination. There are several plants that can be grown in pots too. That way you can transform your space into a more beautiful place, attracting butterflies and collaborating with pollination. After all, it is not just the species of monarch that is having its population negatively impacted by the standards that we are “consuming” the world.

Even if you don't have a garden or pots or don't feel attracted by the habit of growing plants, you can still collaborate with a problem that seems so far away. Looking for where what we consume comes from is also an interesting way to vote on what we believe. Not only butterflies, but several other insects, important pollinators (subjects for future texts) are being harmed by the indiscriminate use of pesticides. Aware that as human beings we need to feed, but also aware that as human beings we are also intelligent and creative, we can think better about how to transform our food consumption for a healthier world. The planet wins and we win. Start by changing to a more organic diet, and in the case of those who plant start to adopt agroecological practices (subject for a future text too) the important thing is to start, to start is changing. The same thought is valid for other consumption habits, in addition to food, or the cotton of your clothes can you ensure that it came from pesticide-free production? If someone reading this knows, congratulations you are part of a small niche that we want to expand to become all. And if you never stopped to think about it or even thought about it, but didn’t go into it, I don’t want you to feel that with these reflections I’m pointing my finger in order to judge. I want to point out directions for us to think together. What else related to consumption can you see the story behind? And what story would you like your things to tell before they reach you?

It is a human instinct when you want to help, returning to the story of the injured butterfly that caught my attention, in its case due to some misfortune, some accident she has hurt her wing. But what I started thinking was about the many other monarch butterflies (and I hope that other insects are also appearing in the minds of you, who stopped a time to read this text that I did with affection). I hope that millions of other butterflies harmed by human actions, will be an eye-catching subject. They are partners, are in service in pollination along with other insects helping us. There are so many species on our planet to know and understand how they contribute to the whole. In the business world we want to get to know customers as well as suppliers and have good relations with both. Looking at the world from a corporate perspective, are we maintaining good relations with our suppliers?

Metaphors aside, when human beings lost the habit of marveling at the world? With the beings that inhabit the world? We can be curious about the good and learn a little more about the world, about another species, or about our own species, but from a different culture, simply because of the passion for learning and being able to become someone better every day. May the beautiful orange of the wing of monarch butterflies (and Orange is the color of energy and creativity), inspire changes in our consumer / producer perspective to adopt increasingly sustainable practices.

To walk towards a more sustainable world is to be in constant transformation in a responsible manner, thinking about continuous improvement and the well-being of the whole.

Sofia Coelho Moreira

Sustainability Strategist