Environmental Awareness Module - Planet / Sustainability

1. SESSION: We are a part of the whole

1. Welcome page

Welcome to your first session of the Sustainability module!

It will take you 1 hour and a half to complete it, so be sure to be comfortable in your current space, to have a nice cup of tea with you (and maybe a snack if you need it!).

For this session you will need:

• A device with Internet access and sound output

• Your MAMA RISE notebook and a pen

• Markers, color pencils or watercolors for the final creative activity

 

Index of contents

• Detecting our environmental beliefs

• What we love

• Where to start

• Self-reflection

 

After this session you will be able to:

• Reflecting on the beliefs that limit us in our actions for the planet

• To realize our interconnectedness with all things

• Identify your motivation to make changes

• Share what you have learnt with other people

 

Ready? Let’s go!

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2. Introduction to the session

 

In this session we will delve into the idea of interdependence and how to start making changes in our daily lives. 

 

We hope that here you will find resources and inspiration for this module that you are beginning.

3. What do you already know about interconnection and interdependence?

 

Maybe you are not aware right now, but there are probably many things that you already know about how we are all interconnected. Let’s find out!

 

You have 5 minutes to write everything you can think about our mutual dependance and interconnection with all beings that inhabit the earth (be they animals, plants, natural resources, etc.)

 

The ideas do not have to be complex and it is ok if you are not 100% sure of their accuracy. No one is going to judge this list, so feel free to write down as many things as you can.

 

4. Learning content

 

Interdependence in living beings is a fundamental concept in ecology, which refers to the relationships and connections that exist between the different species and elements of an ecosystem. This interdependence is essential for the functioning and survival of ecosystems, since each organism depends on others to obtain resources and fulfill its basic needs.

 

In an ecosystem, all living things are interconnected and depend on each other for survival. Each organism has a specific role in the ecosystem and contributes in some way to the balance and stability of the ecosystem. 

 

An example of an interdependent process would be pollination, a process essential for the reproduction of many plant species. In this process, pollinators, such as bees, butterflies and birds, transfer pollen from one flower to another, allowing fertilization and seed formation. Without the interaction between plants and pollinators, many plant species would not be able to reproduce and could disappear.

✍️ This could also be applied to our daily lives.  Who do I depend on to keep me well? Who depends on me? What do I need to take care of and let others take care of me?

Interdependence among the different species in an ecosystem is fundamental to maintaining ecological balance. Each species plays a specific role in the ecosystem and depends on other species for food, shelter, reproduction, among other resources. 

💭We have been led to believe that caring is a burden because we maintain an idea that freedom is based on not depending on anyone and that no one depends on us. Time spent caring does not score on the curriculum, it is not recognized or valued externally. We are distressed by vulnerability, but we come into the world absolutely vulnerable and dependent. We all need someone else; our strength lies in being available for myself and for others to take care of me and support me by Sara Martín

 

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Now let's visualize some phrases and take a moment to notice how they make you feel. Take your time to read them one by one, without haste and feel what reaction they awaken in you.

 

• “I don't think what I do or don't do is worth much”

 

• “It overwhelms me or worries me to think about this crisis”

 

• “I think it is governments and big business that are responsible for solving this ecosocial crisis”

 

• “Living in a sustainable way involves too many deprivations and sacrifices”

 

• “Living sustainably is more expensive than living in a conventional way”

 

• “I care more about the problems related to people than those of animals, ecosystems...”

 

✍️ Write down what each of them makes you think, feel… 

 

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Let's take a closer look at each one!

 

“I don't think what I do or don't do is worth much.”

 

Shall we try to turn it around? Living less about things and more about what you love is creating your daily reality according to what you would like to be the general norm. Why? Because it is...

• An exercise of autonomy over your own life and how you want to live it. There are many things we cannot choose, but there are many things we can.

• An expression of solidarity and empathy with all beings that live together on Earth interdependently.

• A way to honor all the resources we extract to produce the objects we use.

• A means to demand other values from corporations.

• A way to remind you that you are a creature and what your real needs are.

• An excuse to get together with other people and have other conversations (like now!).

 

By our very nature as social animals, our choices influence those around us, and so we can create different conversations, plans, ways of eating or gifting than we did before. 

 

“It overwhelms me or worries me to think about this crisis”

 

If it happens to you too, it is totally understandable. It is especially worrying that we have a dormant capacity to imagine another possible world. We can easily imagine apocalypses, collapses, catastrophic scenarios; but it is much more difficult for us to imagine a prosperous, fair reality, with available natural resources, and this is a problem because in order to create another reality, we must first imagine it. We really live in a cultural emergency, and quoting the author Miguel Brieva “What would happen if everything on Netflix were ecotopian stories? That tomorrow there would be a world revolution”.

 

We want to encourage you to imagine how you would like your city, your working day, your weekends... And to think about what steps you could take in that direction. The last thing we want is to promote a discourse of “if you want, you can” denying that we are part of structures that make it very difficult for us. I'm talking about looking for the cracks in the system through which the light passes, such as initiatives at district level like citizen participation tables, urban gardens, associations of all kinds... We also want to get out of the loop of the screens and look more at the sky, get to know new green areas of our city, try to walk more...

 

There are many possible worlds that already exist on a small scale and there you can find a lot of hope, which is how you fight fear. Ask ourselves what things make me afraid and put more love and more attention there, in those people, those places... Also focusing on the here and now, what we can and not what we cannot. 

 

“I think it is governments and big business that are responsible for solving this ecosocial crisis”

 

Individuals should not be required to fix this ecosocial crisis, but as consumers we do have a role to play. Changing our daily habits is not enough, but it is important and has value. 

 

• If we continually buy clothes in fast fashion empires we are saying that we do not care about the labor and human rights of those on the other side. 

• If we continually patronize fast food chains we are saying that we do not care about contributing to deforestation or the massive exploitation of animals.

• If we continually commute by car when we have alternatives, we are affirming that we can live as if we don't care about the quality of the air we breathe.

 

Our daily decisions matter and at the same time we must express this need to change the model to public authorities and large companies. We should ask ourselves to whom we want to give our money, in whom we want to cast our electoral vote, etc.

 

“Living in a sustainable way involves too many deprivations and sacrifices”

 

It is true that daring to change our rhythm implies a learning curve depending on the habits, but if we look at it from a broader perspective, it is actually a gain: 

• we gain in health because we no longer eat certain things;

• we save money because we buy fewer things;

• we appreciate our possessions in a different way;

• we stop taking it for granted that it is normal to have at our disposal a myriad of varieties of every product....

 

If we didn't truly believe that this way of life brings enormous joy and satisfaction with one's life, we wouldn't spread it here. If we saw that it was only for a certain type of people with a capacity to endure a life full of unhappiness, etc. we would not include it here.

 

And above all, if we do not change anything, we are indeed depriving ourselves of a livable future.

“Living sustainably is more expensive than living in a conventional way”

 

This is very common because if we only look at the price of certain 'eco' products it may seem to be true. But the invitation is not to keep up the pace of consumption only with products of this type, but to slow down. This way:

 

• helps us to convert our consumption habits from impulsive to reflexive;

• it accustoms us to live with less and, therefore, to desire fewer objects;

• it stops us from continually buying disposable products by replacing them with a reusable alternative;

• it helps us to assess what the ultra-cheap prices are hiding and what changes we can afford with our personal circumstances.

 

“I care more about the problems related to people than those of animals, ecosystems...”

 

It is not self-evident to learn that there is no such thing as social justice on the one hand and climate justice on the other, but that they are interconnected, just as humanity lives in interdependence with everything that inhabits this planet. 

 

This path of detachment brings with it a deep gratitude, an attention to the “small” and an openness to solidarity with the rest of humanity. When we dare to recognize this interdependence and our own vulnerability, the possibility of fraternity enters our lives. 

 

We should claim fraternity today more than ever because our way of consuming, of moving or feeding ourselves has everything to do with people. Especially with those who have contributed the least to this situation of ecosocial crisis in which we find ourselves, and who suffer the most from its effects in the Global South.

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✍️Let's proceed with a simple exercise. Let's ask ourselves three questions and answer them honestly, writing down the answers.

• What is your favorite thing to do? Even if you haven't done it for a long time, something you really enjoy doing. 

• Where do you really love to be, does it give you peace, does it bring you good memories, does it make you happy to be on the road...?

• Who do you love very much, who do you love to be with, do you feel comfortable together...?

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For all this that we love…

It is only possible on Earth. There are many reasons to care for the environment to preserve life as we know it today. Taking care of what makes everything we love possible is a pretty powerful one. 

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Where to start

Maybe this all sounds good to you, but you're feeling a bit disoriented about how to start taking action in your day-to-day life. 

Here are three keys that we hope will help you:

1. Slow down. A good first step is to limit our exposure to all the advertisements that tempt us with promises of pleasure that are not fulfilled (or are, but for a very short time). 

When we free ourselves from most of these stimuli we can appreciate all that we do have, we can have more conversations that do not revolve around material possessions, we can feel that what we possess has nothing to do with what we are worth. We can, in short, feel much better.

2. Reduce. As we will see later on, it is the second R of the zero waste movement (behind Refuse and before Reuse, Recycle and Rot)

Two keys are important here: enthusiasm and going very slowly. It's understandable that it can be overwhelming to tackle a whole room. We invite you to divide it into small sections and place everything on the bed so you can assess what you have:

When you see everything on the bed, divide it into three groups: what you want to keep, what can have a second life (to donate, sell or give away) and what will be recycled (when in doubt about where to throw it away, take it to a fixed clean point). 

The key is to go little by little and enjoy each cleared space, not because it is more beautifully tidy, but because it corresponds better to the needs you have. 

3. Find your motivation. It is important to verbalize our motivation, why we want to make these changes. Not from guilt, from what is purely rational or based on data, but from what comes from within.

✍️ We invite you to express your motivation according to what you love, according to what comes from inside, why do you want to make these changes? You can formulate them in a single sentence, or in several sentences, in a list of words or even in an image of a place we love... 

We encourage you to think about it, to express it in some way and to have it visible. Take your time to find your own way of expressing it. 

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Some notions to have in mind:

 

Compostable: the ability of a material to completely decompose into compost, a natural process that produces a nutrient-rich organic substrate. Compostable materials decompose under specific temperature and humidity conditions in industrial composting facilities or home composters, becoming usable compost to improve soil quality.

 

Deep ecology: a powerful movement and philosophical framework that challenges the notion of separation between humans and nature. At its core, it rests on a fundamental principle: nothing exists separately. Not a person. Not a species. Not an environmental problem. This philosophy invites us to question our current way of life, challenging the conventional view that places humans at the top of the natural hierarchy. It advocates a broader and more respectful understanding of our place in the world. It recognizes the intrinsic value of every living thing, from the smallest bacterium to the majestic century-old tree.

 

Ecological Regeneration: the deliberate and systemic process of restoring degraded ecosystems to a state of ecological health and resilience, emphasizing the intricate interplay between biodiversity, resource management, and socio-economic well-being. It transcends mere environmental remediation; it necessitates a holistic approach that integrates ecological principles with social justice and economic sustainability. This necessitates a fundamental shift in our relationship with nature, moving from exploitation to stewardship.

5. Final reflection

 

Go back to what you have stated about your motivation to make changes in your daily life. Take a moment to develop it, maybe it helps to do inner silence, to paint, to rejoice in what you love... Take advantage of this moment to enjoy making this motivation concrete, which will help you in the moments when you feel less strong to put the changes into practice.

 

6. Self-evaluation, assessment and feedback

 

Ask yourself some questions:

• After this session, do you feel more motivated to make changes in your daily life?

• Has it changed any of the beliefs you had about your ability to have a positive impact?

• Are there any topics you would like to delve more deeply into and how could you do so?

 

7. Additional information and resources: 

 

Mother nature’s lessons on motherhood, blog post 

 

8. To close: 

 

The peace of wild things, a poem by Wendell Berry

 

When despair for the world grows in me

and I wake in the night at the least sound

in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,

I go and lie down where the wood drake

rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things

who do not tax their lives with forethought

of grief. I come into the presence of still water.

And I feel above me the day-blind stars

waiting with their light. For a time

I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

2. SESSION: Understanding the climate crisis

 

1. Welcome page.

Welcome to your second session of the Sustainability module!

 

It will take you 1 hour and a half to complete it, so be sure to be comfortable in your current space, to have a nice cup of tea with you (and maybe a snack if you need it!).

 

For this session you will need:

• A device with Internet access and sound output

• Your MAMA RISE notebook and a pen

• Markers, color pencils or watercolors for the final creative activity

 

Index of contents

• What is the greenhouse effect?

• What is causing this?

• Why do you think this happens? 

• What is global warming and climate change?

• Important notions to have in mind

 

After this session you will be able to:

• Understand what climate change actually means

• Recognize that the Earth's climate is changing and that human activities contribute to this change

• Identify the difference between climate and weather

• Understand how the greenhouse effect works and the role of carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas.

• Share what you have learnt with other people

 

Ready? Let’s go!

2. Introduction to the session

 

Climate crisis is a global threat that is already affecting millions of people around the world. We are aware that it can be complicated to understand this phenomenon, that there is a lot of information out there and that the terminology is sometimes difficult to understand.

 

As mothers, it can be especially disheartening to read and learn about the situations arising from the climate crisis, but only by understanding the magnitude of the problem will we be able to reverse it by taking steps in our communities, connecting to others and educating our children in a different way of being in the world.

 

Today we are going to know together the most relevant key concepts to understand once and for all what is happening with the climate in our home, the Earth.

 

3. What do you already know about the climate crisis?

 

Maybe you are not aware right now, but there are probably many things that you already know about the climate crisis. Let’s find out! 

 

You have 5 minutes to write everything you know about the climate crisis. The facts do not have to be complex and it is ok if you are not 100% sure of their accuracy. No one is going to judge this list, so feel free to write down as many things as you can.

 

4. Learning content

 

❓Let’s start with a fundamental definition: What is the greenhouse effect?

 

The Earth retains its temperature thanks to a ‘blanket’ of greenhouse gasses that trap near the Earth’s surface heat that would otherwise escape into space. In this way the blanket of gasses acts like a greenhouse and makes the Earth a warmer place – Without the greenhouse effect, the Earth's average surface temperature would be as cold as −18 °C. The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that is vital to life on Earth.

As you can see in this image, the problem is not the greenhouse effect per se, but the fact that we are making this layer of gasses too thick for heat to escape back into space, and so, the Earth is getting warmer.

 

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This leads us inevitably to the question: What is causing this?

❓Let’s ask ourselves… What human activities do you think are contributing to this?

✍️On a sheet of paper make two columns: on the left side make a list of all the things you do in a normal day (getting up, showering, eating breakfast, etc.) and on the right side, tick off the activities on the list that you think use energy from fossil fuels.

Keep in mind that fossil fuels are used in many ways, such as for transportation, heating, food consumption, and electricity. Plastics are also made from fossil fuels. 

💭When you have it, take a moment to reflect on what surprised you and how it makes you feel. Describe what your daily life would be like if you tried to halve your use of fossil fuels. How did they feel about living in this way? What were the good things about it? What were the things they would find most difficult?

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Everyone in the world leaves a carbon footprint. However, the carbon footprints of some people and countries are larger than others. 

❓Why do you think this happens? 

✍️Look at this list of countries and rank them according to what you think their CO2 emissions per person per year are. Put the country with the highest emissions first and the country with the lowest emissions last.

• United States of America

• China

• India

• Malawi

• Brazil

• Qatar

• South Africa

• United Arab Emirates

• Spain

Solution:

 

*Note: these data refer to consumption-based CO2 emissions. They include both emissions produced in the country and those caused by the production of products imported by the country.

💭What do you think of this ranking? Is it fair?

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▶️Let’s WATCH

:

 

Human activities are increasing the concentration of naturally occurring greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide, causing the world to heat up unnaturally and the weather to become more extreme.

 

The heating process is often referred to as ‘global warming’ and the overall effect is known as climate change.

 

Carbon dioxide is the principal contributor to climate change. As human activity increases, the concentrations of greenhouse gases – particularly carbon dioxide, but also methane and nitrous oxide – build up in the atmosphere. About two-thirds of greenhouse gas pollution comes from the carbon dioxide emitted when we burn fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil. 

Some notions to have in mind:

 

Greenhouse gases are gases contributing to the greenhouse effect: the accumulation of carbon dioxide, and others, in the atmosphere insulating the Earth, which prevents heat loss and raises atmospheric temperature.

 

Climate is average weather over a long period (usually 30 years or more) in a particular region.

 

Climate change – The accelerated rate of change which scientists know is the result of human activities. The burning of fossil fuels, which interferes with the natural balance of gases in the atmosphere, is largely to blame. As a result, global temperatures are rising and in the future we are likely to see an increase in weather extremes.

 

Global warming – a gradual rise in temperature over all the Earth’s surface.

 

Sustainable use – use of a resource that can be continued on an on-going basis without depleting or damaging it. Sustainable activities meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

5. Final reflection

 

Draw a picture of how climate change makes you feel. No matter the result, you don't have to know how to draw, just take your time, play with colors and express what's inside you.

 

6. Self-evaluation, assessment and feedback

 

TEST. According to what you have learnt, mark the answer you consider correct:

 

1. Fires release the carbon stored in plants, so measuring the extent and severity of forest fires around the globe is an important ingredient in understanding the carbon cycle. 

1. True

2. False

2. Which one of these increases the level of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere?

1. A. Cutting down trees

2. B. Transportation

3. C. Energy

4. D. All of the above

3. Most places on Earth are warmer than they were 100 years ago.

1. True

2. False

4. Which greenhouse gas is the main driver of Earth’s current warming?

1. Methane

2. Carbon dioxide

3. Nitrous oxide

4. Water vapor

5. Which of the following would have the biggest impact on reducing carbon emissions?

1. Growing our own vegetables

2. Stopping deforestation

3. Taking all fossil fuel-burning vehicles off the road

4. Shutting down all fossil fuel power plants

6. What is the Greenhouse effect?

1. The name of climate change legislation that was passed by Congress

2. When you paint your house green to become an environmentalist

3. When the gasses in our atmosphere trap heat and block it from escaping our planet

4. When you build a greenhouse

7. What can you do to help fight climate change?

1. Utilize public transit

2. Consume less meat products

3. Vote for political candidates who will advocate for climate-related legislation and policy improvements

4. All of the above

8. The overwhelming majority of scientists agree that climate change is real and caused by humans.

1. True

2. False

9. Wasting less food is a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

1. True

2. False

Results:

 

1. True. Using NASA satellites such as Landsat, people can study the severity, size and location of forest fires from space, and we can estimate how much carbon is released into the atmosphere as the fires burn.

2. D. All of the above. Every time we drive a car, take a flight, burn fossil fuels for energy, or cut down trees or clear land of vegetation, we add carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

3. True. Although most locations on the planet have recorded increased temperatures since 1880, changes in global ocean and atmospheric circulation patterns have created small-scale temperature decreases in a few local regions.

4. B. Carbon dioxide. Some people mistakenly believe water vapor is the main driver of Earth’s current warming. But increased water vapor doesn’t cause human-produced global warming. Instead, it’s a consequence of it. Increased water vapor in the atmosphere supercharges the warming caused by other greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, followed by methane.

5. D. Shutting down all fossil fuel power plants. Shutting down fossil fuel plants and moving to clean, renewable energy sources (e.g., the sun and wind) would have the biggest impact.

6. C. When the gasses in our atmosphere trap heat and block it from escaping our planet. The Earth receives solar radiation from the sun. Passing through the atmosphere, some radiation is absorbed by the Earth, while some is reflected back to space. When the exchange of incoming and outgoing radiation occurs, some of the radiation becomes trapped by gasses in the atmosphere. This creates a “greenhouse” effect and warms the planet.

7. D. All of the above. All of these actions help minimize your own carbon footprint. By taking public transport, less cars will be on the road emitting GHG. Most of the world’s land is set aside for livestock, so by consuming less, less resources get used up in meat’s production. Along with these important steps, we also suggest adding your voice to the issues surrounding climate change, supporting clean energy and taking personal actions to reduce your impact on the planet.

8. TRUE. Studies show that 99 percent of climate scientists who are actively publishing agree that climate change is likely due to human activity. Most of the prominent scientific organizations across the globe have issued statements that publicly endorse this view. 

9. TRUE. In the process of producing food, about 13% never makes it to the grocery store while around 17% gets wasted in households. This amounts to more than a third of food produced globally contributing to climate change. Some of this waste food spoils in transit, while consumers throw some of this food out after purchase. Approximately 8-10% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions relate to food waste.

 

7. Additional information and resources: 

 

*None since this lesson is more theoretical

 

8. To close: 

 

NATURE’S LEADERS, a poem by Looby Macnamara

 

Look to nature for answers on your leadership journey

Lead like a buzzard with joy on the thermals

Be like a tree drawing nourishment from deep within the Earth

Flow like an apple tree with abundant times of giving and fallow times of resting

Join hands together to carry heavy loads

Hold boundaries like a mama bear fiercely protective of her cubs

Lead like migrating birds using the stars and magnetic fields to navigate

Guide like the moon, waxing and waning, influencing ebbs and flows from a distance

Speak like the wren with a huge voice for your size, full of thrills and flourishes

Lead like a species on the edge of survival

Most of all lead like yourself

And follow your heart.

3. Session: The zero waste movement

 

1. Welcome page.

Welcome to your third session of the Sustainability module!

 

It will take you 1 hour and a half to complete it, so be sure to be comfortable in your current space, to have a nice cup of tea with you (and maybe a snack if you need it!).

 

For this session you will need:

• A device with Internet access and sound output

• A notebook and a pen

 

Index of contents

• What is the zero waste movement?

• The 5 Rs

• Some misconceptions about zero waste

• Some notions to have in mind

• Self-reflection

 

After this session you will be able to:

• Understand what zero waste means 

• Identify the 5 Rs in your daily life

• Share what you have learnt with other people

 

Ready? Let’s go!

 

2. Introduction to the session

 

In this session you will enter the world of zero waste, understanding that it is a means to live differently and not an end in itself. We will go into the 5 Rs to live better and in a simpler way on a daily basis, without judgments or claiming an unattainable perfection.

 

By delving deeper into the 5Rs of the movement you will be able to identify where you are, observe the waste generated in your home and learn more about the impact of your home. Go ahead!

3. What do you already know about the zero waste movement?

 

Have you ever heard of the zero waste movement? What words come to mind?

 

You have 5 minutes to write everything you know about this concept. The facts do not have to be complex and it is ok if you are not 100% sure of their accuracy. No one is going to judge this list, so feel free to write down as many ideas as you can.

 

4. Learning content

 

Zero waste is a philosophy and design principle that aims to minimize waste generation by maximizing recycling, reusing, and composting, and reducing consumption. It promotes a circular economy where products are designed for a lifecycle of reuse and minimal waste. Zero waste practices include sustainable product design, waste reduction initiatives, and community education. The goal is to eliminate waste sent to landfills and incinerators, reducing environmental impact and conserving resources.

 

The zero waste movement essentially boils down to an inverted pyramid of five steps. The first and the one we should practice most often is 'reject' and the last and the one you should reach the least waste is 'rot'. It would look like this:

 

 

The term 'low waste', which specifies the option of generating as little waste as possible, when achieving “zero” is impossible, has also become popular on social media.

 

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The 5 R's

 

• Refuse is saying 'no' to everything you don't need. In practice we could define it as not going home at the end of the day with more stuff than you left with. We are referring to all those items that accumulate unintentionally, such as samples, unnecessary tickets, advertising flyers, merchandising items, business cards, etc. It takes practice to get past the embarrassment barrier and say 'no, thank you' when you are offered something.

• Reduce is about looking at everything you have and being honest with yourself to recognize what you need and don't need. Observing your consumption habits helps you to recognize your true needs and, therefore, to slow down your rate of acquisitions. When you start to reduce, you begin to experience the freedom of living with less stuff. 

• Reuse is about eliminating all the throwaway products from your everyday life and finding alternatives for the ones you need. It also means considering other options before getting something new: buying second-hand, renting goods instead of buying them, borrowing -and lending-, repairing instead of throwing away, and looking for repairable and durable products.

• Recycling is necessary, but ideally the number of products that reach this stage should be reduced as much as possible. What we do at home is separate waste, but the actual recycling of these materials depends on many factors over which we have little control, such as the mixing of materials in a single container.

• Rot is nature's way of recycling, allowing organic waste to decompose, returning nutrients to the soil. It turns out that organic waste also pollutes, because in landfills the organic matter does not have the oxygen it needs to decompose and emits large amounts of methane, one of the main greenhouse gases.

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✍️ Now that you know the five R's…

• Which one would you most like to start taking steps for?

• What do you think you might find the easiest? 

Take a moment to think of concrete examples of changes you could start making in your day-to-day life.

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Some misconceptions about zero waste:

• It's expensive. This is very common because if we only look at the price of certain 'eco' products it may seem to be true. However, this path helps us convert our consumption habits from impulsive to thoughtful; it gets us used to living with less and therefore desiring fewer objects; it makes us stop continually buying disposable products by replacing them with a reusable alternative; it helps us assess what ultra-cheap prices hide and what changes we can afford with our personal circumstances.

• It is only possible by living on a permaculture farm. Every context offers options to reduce our waste, live more consciously and connected to the planet that sustains us. It “only” takes listening to our inner motivation to encourage us to find the system that works for us. 

• It is less hygienic. There are still many people who are disgusted by a cloth diaper, a menstrual cup or a tissue to blow their nose, but perhaps we should ask ourselves more about the fact that we have plastics manufactured 50 years ago littering our planet.

• It is only for the privileged who have access to buy in bulk. It is not essential to have a zero waste store close to home, but rather to look for options in the stores in your neighborhood. Greengrocers and small grocery stores often have a small section of bulk vegetables. Shopping in bulk is only part of it, but zero waste is also about not wasting food, using public transport, repairing clothes or eating more pulses than meat. 

• That's too many deprivations. It's true that daring to change the pace involves a certain learning curve in some habits, but if we look at the bigger picture, there are actually gains: we gain in health because we no longer eat certain things; we stop taking for granted that it's normal to have a plethora of varieties of each product at our disposal; we save money because we buy fewer things; we appreciate our possessions in a different way... If we don't change anything, we are depriving ourselves of a livable future.

• It means living without plastic. Trying to close the circle through the 5Rs is more than “demonizing” a single material. The invitation is to reduce waste in general and avoid disposables, even if they are made of paper, cardboard or recycled plastic.

 

✍️Did you have any of these beliefs? Is there any other misconception about the zero waste movement that you have in mind? 

—--------

Some notions to have in mind:

Capture Rate: The percentage of materials designated for recycling that is actually set out for separate collection.

Conscious consumerism: The intentional purchase of responsibly produced products and services.

Diversion Rate: From a general waste-management perspective, “diversion” is any combination of reuse, recycling, and composting activities that reduces the volume of waste disposed. “Diversion rate” is the percentage of all material set out for collection that is recycled.

Downcycling: A form of recycling where a product is made into a lower quality product. Plastics can be recycled only a few times in their life and the quality decreases every time.

Recycling: The process of diverting discarded material from disposal, generally through source-separated set-out and collection, intermediate processing at a materials-recovery facility (MRF), and end-use manufacturing that alters the form of the secondary material to make a new product. 

Waste Management: The management of collecting waste; collection, handling, processing, storage, and transport to its final destination.

—----

5. Final reflection

We suggest you observe the garbage generated in your household for a week. Keep a pad and pen next to the garbage can and write down everything that is thrown away. After a week, look at the list and ask yourself: How much is it? What is the most abundant? What surprised you? What could you reduce more easily? 

 

6. Self-evaluation, assessment and feedback

 

TEST. Questions:

 

1. Zero waste is a philosophy that encourages the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are ________.

1. Glass recycling

2. Freeganism

3. Reuse

4. Recycle

 

2. Which of these is NOT one of the 5 R's of the zero waste movement?

1. Reuse

2. Rethink

3. Recycle

4. Reduce

5. Refuse

 

3. What is the key component to Zero Waste?

1. Biofuel

2. Reuse

3. Recycling

4. Industrial ecology

 

4. Improper waste management causes

1. Air pollution

2. Health problems

3. Extreme weather conditions

4. All of the above

 

5. True zero waste is never 100% achieved

1. True

2. False

TEST. Solutions: 1C, 2B, 3B, 4D, 5A.

7. Additional information and resources: 

100 tips from Bea Johnson (Zero Waste home):  https://zerowastehome.com/tips/

 

8. To close:  

Excerpt from No Impact Man: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/10381/no-impact-man-by-colin-beavan/9781551993133/excerpt 

4. SESSION: Where to start at home

 

1. Welcome page.

Welcome to your fourth session of the Sustainability module!

 

It will take you 1 hour and a half to complete it, so be sure to be comfortable in your current space, to have a nice cup of tea with you (and maybe a snack if you need it!).

 

For this session you will need:

• A device with Internet access and sound output

• A notebook and a pen

 

Index of contents

• Where to start

• What does refuse, reduce and reuse look like in real life?

• Fix what is broken

• Recycle and its limitations

• Composting

 

After this session you will be able to:

• Understand how to start applying the 5 Rs in your daily life

• Recognize the habits you already have

• Share what you have learnt with other people

 

Ready? Let’s go!

 

2. Introduction to the session

 

During this session you will take a step further in putting into practice the zero waste philosophy you learned about in the previous session. With a simple method, you will be able to go through your house room by room, always starting with what you are most excited about.

3. What do you already know about making your home more sustainable?

 

With what you have learned about the zero waste movement, do you know where to start making it a reality in your home? Write down the aspects that make sense for you to start in a house like yours.

 

Repairing, recycling and composting can command some respect, so in this session you will learn more about these concepts and how to apply them. Go for it!

 

4. Learning content

 

Where to start

Now that you know what zero waste is, you may ask yourself “great, now what do I do with this?” The best thing to do is to start, without having all the answers, without having the living conditions you would like, without fooling yourself into thinking that, since you can't do it the perfect way, it's better to do nothing.

 

As we have seen, the first invitation is to refuse. I invite you to be aware of all the things you go home with at the end of the day that you don't need, of all the times you accept things you don't want out of shame, out of compromise, out of fear of offending the one who offers them to you. Saying “no, thank you” with no more explanation than a smile is usually enough.

 

The second step is to reduce. My recommendation is to start with the room in your house that you are most excited about freeing and, little by little, get rid of everything you don't need. 

 

It's understandable that you might be overwhelmed by tackling a whole room. We invite you to divide it into small sections and place everything on the bed so you can assess what you have:

• In the bathroom, you can start with the medicine cabinet, that little basket with samples, what you have in the shower or the rubber bands and hairpins.

• In the kitchen, start with the tupper’s drawer, the refrigerator door, the cup shelf or the cooking spatulas.

• In the bedroom, look at your shoes, bedside table, underwear drawer, sweaters, or notebooks.

• In the children's room, you can start with the tales, the attic of the closet, stuffed animals, pajamas or a type of toy that you have a lot of units, such as constructions.

 

The third step of this pyramid is 'reuse', a call to get rid of disposable products. Look at which ones are present in your daily life: fruit bags with a shelf life of minutes, silver foil and cling film, tampons or sanitary towels, cotton pads, make-up remover, coffee cups, razor blades, unnecessary vegetable wrappers, paper towels, paper napkins, diapers... 

 

You can go through them room by room and put them all together to ask yourself which ones you need an alternative and which ones you can do without. For example, to store food you can use tupperware or a plate covered with another one without the need for paper of any kind. If this solution does not convince you -try it first-, then look for washable waxed wrappers (there are vegan ones) or silicone bags. If you order coffee to go every morning, you can get a reusable cup with a lid and ask for it to be served directly in it. If you remove your make-up every night, you can replace the disposable pads with washable cotton pads. To buy fruit and vegetables, you can bring your own fine-mesh bags. To stop throwing away disposable blades, which are not recycled, you can get a stainless steel one and change the blades once they wear out. 

 

For period days, you can use a menstrual cup, cloth pads or menstrual panties to find the option that works best for you. For spills in the kitchen, use washable compostable wipes instead of pulling out the paper roll and swap the ongoing purchase of paper napkins for an eye-pleasing set of cloth napkins. What about diapers, that continual waste of money and plastic. If you are curious about this topic, you can start using cloth diapers, which is easier than you might think.

 

✍️ Which room would you be most excited to start with? Think about what you would like to have differently and how you could start making it a reality (asking for help to make time for it, involving more people in the house in the task…)

—----------------

 

Fix what is broken

Within this invitation to reuse is also the rationale for repairing what is broken. It sounds simple, yet manufacturers too often make it more expensive than buying something new. This is one of the demands of the European 'Right to repair' movement, which also calls for legislation to ensure durable, repairable designs with easy-to-replace components and to introduce a score system on repairability as part of the existing energy label.

 

The easiest things to fix are clothes and, if you're not particularly handy, you can take them to your local repair store.

 

Repairing something to save it from the trash is among the most countercultural and satisfying actions we can do today, second only to... not replacing what's broken. Perhaps that breakdown can be an invitation to let go of that object, or at least an opportunity to experience whether your life can be better without it. 

 

✍️ Check if you have things at home waiting to be repaired and find where you could take them to continue using them.

—-----

The fourth step is to recycle. Separating waste at home is essential, but we must be aware that recycling is not the solution. If it were a simple process, the seas and oceans would not be receiving 12 million tons of waste every year. The massive production of plastics, the inefficiency in waste management and the inconsistency in data on recovery and recycling alert us to the fact that we must change this consumption model.

 

Just because something ends up in a recycling plant does not mean it will be recycled. For example, it is technically difficult and costly to recycle multilayer packaging with different types of materials such as potato French fry bags or tetra brik. 

 

If it is recycled, it does not mean that the result will be a material of the same quality as the original. Most of the plastics recovered in recycling processes result in a material of lower quality, so it cannot be used to manufacture the same packaging it came from. This process is called downcycling. 

 

Paper and cardboard, composed of cellulose fiber, can be recycled very well a limited number of times. This means that on each recycling “journey”, the length of the fibers is shortened and virgin material must be added. 

 

At the other extreme are glass containers, which can be recycled as many times as desired without losing their properties, as they are made of a single material. Even so, it should be borne in mind that there is no such thing as a 100% recyclable container because the adhesives used for the labels and the inks used make the process more expensive and can contaminate the recycled flakes.

 

What we can do

As consumers, it is up to us to ensure that less waste arrives in the recycling bin and that the waste that does arrive does so correctly. In other words, recycle less and recycle better. To recycle less, we should try to prioritize the principles of reject, reduce and reuse and thus generate less waste in our daily lives.  

 

✍️ Do you have any questions about how to separate certain products for proper recycling? We encourage you to look for information from your local council or neighbourhood to find out more about how to do it, whether there are collection points for special waste, etc.

 

—------

 

The last point, the top of the inverted pyramid, is composting. Organic waste is not harmless: for this type of waste to become compost, conditions of humidity and the presence of oxygen must be met that do not exist in landfills. Landfills release large amounts of methane, one of the main greenhouse gases. 

 

What can we do? If your municipality has a separate collection of organic waste, be sure to separate it correctly: food scraps, plant remains, cork stoppers, matches, wooden sticks could be composted in dedicated facilities. On the other hand, diapers, sanitary napkins, toilet paper, ashes, chewing gum, pet litter or cigarette butts are non-compostable waste that would go into the “residuals” bin. Be sure to dispose of organic waste in a compostable bag, thus avoiding the transfer of contaminants that reduce the quality of the compost and worsen the aesthetics of the resulting material (pieces of plastics mixed with bio-waste).

 

If where you live this differentiated collection does not take place, perhaps there are containers (the traditional ones, or underground) where you can deposit them. Look on the website of your local council, in community gardens or in local environmental associations.

 

5. To close: 

How to be at peace with a messy house, blog post

5. SESSION: How to buy less, save money and live more freely

 

1. Welcome page.

Welcome to your fifth session of the Sustainability module!

 

It will take you 1 hour and a half to complete it, so be sure to be comfortable in your current space, to have a nice cup of tea with you (and maybe a snack if you need it!).

 

For this session you will need:

• A device with Internet access and sound output

• A notebook and a pen

• Markers, color pencils or watercolors for the final creative activity

 

Index of contents

• What is minimalism

• Disconnecting ourselves from the false urgency of advertising.

• And when do I need to buy something?

• How to choose ethical companies 

• How to identify greenwashing

 

After this session you will be able to:

• Understand what minimalism really means

• Identify the messages that encourage us to buy

• Identify new ways to consume less and better

• Share what you have learnt with other people

 

Ready? Let’s go!

 

2. Introduction to the session

In this session you will be able to deepen your understanding of the concept of minimalism and perhaps break stereotypes you may have about this lifestyle.  

 

You will also be able to reflect and learn about another way of acquiring objects and how to evaluate those needs before buying them.

 

Finally, we will deepen the concept of greenwashing to become more critical consumers. 

3. What does the title of this lesson suggest to you?

 

Do you think it is possible to learn to consume less and better? Have you ever thought that living in a more sustainable way meant saving money and enjoying your time more? Take 5 -10 minutes to reflect about these questions and answer them honestly.

 

4. Learning content

 

What is minimalism

When you think of minimalism, you may think of half-empty houses, gray clothes, challenges to get rid of X number of objects in X days or a “title” that you will never get because it is too complicated.

 

In essence, minimalism is an invitation to review our relationship with the objects we own, with our habits, with our way of consuming news, with everything that distracts us from what gives us peace of mind and well-being. It is a way of letting go of what does not do you good and, therefore, it is an attitude of continuous review and honesty. So no challenge, video or book is going to make you a minimalist if you don't first ask yourself why you want the things you'd rather not have at home.

 

✍️ Do you find yourself accumulating objects that you don't like or find useless? Do you think it would be easier for you to maintain a certain order and cleanliness at home if you got rid of things?

 

—----

 

Disconnecting ourselves from the false urgency of advertising.

A good first step is to limit our exposure to all the advertising claims that tempt us with promises of pleasure that are not fulfilled (or are, but only for a moment). 

 

There is a lot you can do to avoid these purchases that you end up regretting later (because you don't use them, because they take up space, because you didn't really like them that much):

• Stop following certain profiles on social networks that tend to provoke that urgent need to buy something.

• Stop subscribing to commercial newsletters.

• Delete from your phone apps of brands that you enter to distract you with something.

• Reduce the time you spend in front of a screen.

• Do not stop in shop windows if you are tempted by them.

• Pretend you don't know that there are companies like Amazon or Glovo, which bring the item to your door almost immediately.

• When we free ourselves from much of these stimuli we can appreciate all that we do have, we can have more conversations that don't revolve around material possessions, we can feel that what we own has nothing to do with what we are worth. We can, in short, feel much better.

 

✍️ Have you identified what your biggest sources of purchase calls are? Where could you start to reduce your exposure to them?

—-----

And when you need to buy something?

When we detect a need (a coat, a computer, a table, an iron), we should look at that need and consider how we can meet it. 

 

We encourage you to first ask yourself “do I really need this?” and try to be honest with yourself. If the answer is yes, then you wait. A week, two, three. Sometimes during that time you will realize that you don't really need it because you already have something that can fill that need. 

 

If after that reasonable wait you still need that object, find a way to get it without buying anything new. Why? Because any object, however simple it may seem, has behind it a process of extraction, transformation and transfer of resources whose environmental and social impact is difficult to quantify. Therefore, as far as possible, always try to borrow, buy second-hand or rent. There are more and more platforms that make this possible.

 

And when you need something that has to be new? Let's say underwear, shoes, sunscreen, a diary or shampoo. Then you can ask yourself who you give your money to. 

 

How to choose ethical companies (when possible)

When looking for something new, the first thing you can do is search online in sustainable brand directories. If you don't find what you're looking for, you can Google the name of the item followed by words like 'vegan', 'ethical', 'eco' or 'sustainable'. When you enter an online store, you can look for the 'Who we are' section so I can find out who I'm giving my money to. If it explains who is behind it, how and where they manufacture their products and what certifications they have, then keep browsing.

 

Even so, we recommend you always look at the description of the products to make sure of the materials they are made of, their origin and the care they require (does it make sense for you to buy a garment that can only be dry cleaned?).

 

—-------

 

How to identify greenwashing

Have you heard of greenwashing? It is the marketing with which certain companies present a public image of environmental commitment when their activity is actually harmful to life on the planet.

 

Some examples would be that McDonald's logos and restaurants are green, that fast fashion brands have a small 'eco' line, or that oil companies allocate a lot of funds to promote environmental education and awareness programs.

 

There are several strategies to confuse consumers with this false image of sustainability:

 

• Hidden compensation consists of classifying a product as green because of a single attribute. For example, when highlighting that something is made from recycled materials while ignoring the rest of the life cycle such as the toxicity of the production process, the impossibility of recycling the material, the emissions associated with transportation from the factory or the use of toxic chemicals.

• The lack of evidence is based on presenting an environmental claim that cannot be easily contrasted and that does not have an official certification behind it. For example, when it is stated that a garment has a percentage of recycled fabric, but there is no way to prove it.  

• Vagueness consists of using ill-defined terms so that the consumer does not understand their real meaning, such as “100% natural”.

• Irrelevance is based on making claims that are true but make no difference to the product, such as stating that it does not contain a chemical that is actually banned.

• The lesser of two evils is claiming to be more environmentally friendly than competitors or similar products when it is still harmful to the environment.

• Lying outright with false studies, statistics or certificates. 

• Worshiping false labels by giving a false image of third party endorsements with badges, certificates, labels and awards that in reality mean nothing. 

 

These practices harm consumers because they do not know how to distinguish what greenwashing is and companies that are creating another business model because they tarnish their real efforts to be sustainable.

Some warning signs to be wary of are the omnipresent green color, brand names related to nature without any relation to the product, the percentage of budget allocated to advertising or environmental awareness programs, what that particular product represents in relation to the rest of the products offered by the brand... 

 

✍️ We invite you to be aware from now on of greenwashing practices to which you may be exposed (in the supermarket, in shop windows, in advertisements...) and try to observe the claims with a critical eye.

5. Final reflection. 

 

Draw a picture of what your daily life would be like if you got rid of everything that was cluttering you up. It can be abstract or not, whatever comes from your heart. Forget about trying to make it make sense to others or make it look "pretty," it's an exercise from you to you, enjoy it!

 

6. Additional information and resources: 

 

Check out ‘The minimalists’ blog if you want to go deeper

 

7. To close: 

 

What is clutter, a blog post by The minimalists

 

Our clutter isn’t relegated only to material things.
Sure, we own too much stuff:
Too many shirts and pants and shoes and bags.
Too many coffee cups and kitchen utensils.
Too many magazines and books and outdated technology.
Too much excess that clutters every corner of our homes.

But we also clutter our lives with destructive
relationships, careers, obligations,
rituals, busyness, minutiae, news, media,
politics, gossip, drama, rumors.

We clutter our attention with glowing screens.
We clutter our creativity with distractions.
We clutter our free time with trivialities.
We clutter our desires with attachments.

Our lives are brimming with existential clutter,
emotional clutter, mental clutter, spiritual clutter.
So much so that it’s hard to distinguish
what is clutter—and what is not.

We are stressed out, overwhelmed, and anxious
because we’ve filled our lives with disorder, chaos.

Although there is another way…

Look at an object, a commitment, a habit:
Does it enhance your tranquility
or increase your well-being?

That’s all you need to ask.
If the answer is no, it’s okay to let it go.

Now, that may not but an easy path,
but it is a simple one.

6. SESSION: What to do out of home

 

1. Welcome page.

Welcome to your sixth session of the Sustainability module!

 

It will take you 1 hour and a half to complete it, so be sure to be comfortable in your current space, to have a nice cup of tea with you (and maybe a snack if you need it!).

 

For this session you will need:

• A device with Internet access and sound output

• A notebook and a pen

 

Index of contents

• How to manage simplicity in special occasions

• Socializing by trying to consume less 

• How to give and be given presents

 

After this session you will be able to:

• Anticipate the generation of waste in your daily life outside the home

• Recognize the internal beliefs that make you give away in a certain way

• Empowering you to have conversations with loved ones about doing things differently

• Share what you have learnt with other people

 

Ready? Let’s go!

 

2. Introduction to the session

 

In this session we will focus on how to apply what we have learned to when we are away from home (in our daily routine, on special occasions, etc.).

 

We are also going to talk about holidays involving our children and how we can focus on what is important and not on the material.

3. What do you already know about making your daily life more sustainable out of the house?

 

With what you have learned already, do you know where to start living more sustainably when out of the house? Write down the aspects that make sense for you to start in a routine like yours.

4. Learning content

 

At this point, it may seem feasible to reduce your waste at home, but what about outside the home? How do you manage simplicity on special occasions? And when receiving or giving gifts? Is it possible when little ones enter the equation? The short answer is yes... if we are prepared.

 

Outside the home, it's best to anticipate what your day is going to be like. If you're going to be on the go all day, bring your water bottle (stainless steel is best) or your reusable coffee mug. If you are going on a trip, pack a small zero waste pack in your suitcase: lunch box for possible restaurant leftovers, reusable cutlery, cloth napkin, your solid cosmetics, bags for fruit and vegetables and a shopping bag. If you are invited to an outdoor event, bring your own reusable cutlery and a cloth napkin and also suggest it to other people who are going to attend.

 

When there are celebrations, it is worth remembering that we have learned that giving is a language of love, but love is not a transaction. We express love for the people we love in a thousand ways, and giving something that the other person does not need out of social commitment does not have to be one of them.

 

When it is your turn to give a gift, you can prioritize experiences over things. Think about what that person likes to do, what you enjoy doing together, or what kind of plan they love and are not going to give themselves. It could be a concert, a meal, an excursion, an artistic workshop, a play, a massage, a sporting event, babysitting their children while they do something alone… You can even make it a tradition and repeat the plan every year. In the midst of the hectic pace we often lead, giving the gift of spending time together is revolutionary.

 

If this is not possible, you can always choose special delicious things like chocolate, preserves, coffee, teas, wine... And, if they ask you for something specific, look for the most sustainable option, which is usually second-hand or choosing a local brand.

 

And what do you do when it's your turn to receive? Well, you have to clearly state what you would like and what you wouldn't like. It's that simple and that complicated at the same time. Sometimes you may feel embarrassed to say what you want because you may feel like we're pressuring the other person or imposing something, but what's the point of accepting something you don't want and aren't going to use?

 

If you're going to have a large celebration for your birthday, you can ask them to make a donation to an organization you like. To the people who give you a gift every year, you can tell them beforehand that you don't need anything or that you want a specific thing and tell them where they can buy it. The key is to get ahead of yourself and speak naturally to the people you love and who love you.

 

✍️ How do you feel about this? Do you think it's something you could talk about in your environment? What's stopping you from doing so?

—-------------------

 

Perhaps thinking about your environment this seems more or less feasible, but what about when children come into play? Here things tend to get complicated because there is a tendency to over-give gifts to children at Christmas, on their birthdays and at almost any family gathering.

 

If you want to have a more relaxed Christmas, where your little ones do not receive more toys than they can handle, you should start this conversation many months before December arrives and keep it up on several occasions during the year.

 

On birthdays you can ask the family to make a simple gift of something you know they will be excited about. For parties with school friends, you can suggest buying the gift on behalf of everyone and that each family contributes a couple of euros. This way, mothers (unfortunately, it is still almost always the mothers who are in charge) are freed from going out to buy something, you make sure that your little one will receive something they want and a pile of gifts does not accumulate in your house.

 

It's funny that we tend to shower children with gifts when they are the ones who show us that, above all things, what they want most is to spend time with the people they love the most. If you think about it, practically all adult leisure time consists of consuming. Children just get together to play, to invent, to explore, to talk. Adults usually need a lot more around them to interact and share time together. I encourage you to invite them to your house to cook together next time, or to meet in a park to simply go for a walk.

5. Final reflection

 

💭Imagine what an ideal birthday celebration would be like for you. You can think about your birthday or your child's birthday. Try to free yourself from the preconceived ideas you have in your head, from what everyone around you is doing, from the expectations you have about yourself. If you could decide absolutely everything, how would you like that day to be? Give free rein to your imagination and write about that day from the moment you wake up until the moment you go to bed.

 

Now that you've read it, write down how you could make something as close to it as possible, taking into account your reality. Even if it's not the dream in your head, it can be something beautiful and closer to your wishes and needs.

6. Additional information and resources: 

 

Although it doesn't apply exactly to what we've discussed today, we strongly recommend that you read this book. It was published in 2013, so you can probably find it in your library. If you read it at the same time as another friend, it will be a very enriching experience to share about the chapters.

7. To close: 

 

Listen to the

by Brandi Carlile. Find the lyrics below:

 

Welcome to the end of being alone inside your mind

You're tethered to another and you're worried all the time

You always knew the melody but you never heard it rhyme

She's fair and she is quiet, Lord, she doesn't look like me

She made me love the morning, she's a holiday at sea

The New York streets are as busy as they always used to be

But I am the mother of Evangeline

 

The first things that she took from me were selfishness and sleep

She broke a thousand heirlooms I was never meant to keep

She filled my life with color, canceled plans, and trashed my car

But none of that was ever who we are

Outside of my windows are the mountains and the snow

I hold you while you're sleeping and I wish that I could go

All my rowdy friends are out accomplishing their dreams

But I am the mother of Evangeline

 

And they've still got their morning paper and their coffee and their time

And they still enjoy their evenings with the skeptics and the wine

Oh, but all the wonders I have seen, I will see a second time

From inside of the ages through your eyes

 

You are not an accident where no one thought it through

The world has stood against us, made us mean to fight for you

And when we chose your name we knew that you'd fight the power too

You're nothing short of magical and beautiful to me

Oh, I'll never hit the big time without you

So they can keep their treasure and their ties to the machine

'Cause I am the mother of Evangeline

7. SESSION: How to become a mom who advocates for the planet

1. Welcome page.

Welcome to your seventh and last session of the Sustainability module!

 

It will take you 1 hour and a half to complete it, so be sure to be comfortable in your current space, to have a nice cup of tea with you (and maybe a snack if you need it!).

 

For this session you will need:

• A device with Internet access and sound output

• A notebook and a pen

• xxx for final creative activity

 

Index of contents

• xxx

• xxx

• xxx

• xxx

• xxx

• xxx

 

After this session you will be able to:

• Learn about the main demands of advocate moms around the world 

• Recognize your potential as an advocate mom

• Get inspiration from already existing initiatives

• Identify your strengths as a potential advocate mom

• Share what you have learnt with other people

 

Ready? Let’s go!

 

2. Introduction to the session

3. What comes to your mind when you think about environmental advocacy as a mom?

 

Perhaps you have never considered being an advocate for the planet from your experience as a mother or perhaps you have participated in social movements.

 

Whatever your experience, what comes to your mind when you think about the possibility of being an advocate for the planet from your current reality? Does it seem unattainable or far away for you? Does the thought of such a possibility excite you? Do you think you would have the skills to be one?

 

Take 5 minutes and write down what this possibility suggests to you.

4. Learning content

 

When you think of defenders of the planet, you may think of great historical figures or young people without the responsibilities that come with raising a family. 

 

Today's invitation is not to burden ourselves with more demands and chores, but to explore the possibility of being defenders of the planet in our daily lives and to recognize our circle of influence.

 

Now you can recall the exercise from the first session where you reflected on what you love to do, where you love to be, who you especially love and how this love for life can be a driver to take action.

 

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Circles of concern and influence (excerpt from the book ‘Mothers as natural leaders’)

 

We all recognise things in the world that are disturbing and that we would like to be different. Perhaps it is social injustices in far away countries, habitat destruction, even things closer to home. A lot of energy could be spent worrying, wanting things to be different without actually achieving any change. Our abilities to transform these situations can be small, however we can create conditions for change.

 

In Seven Habits Of Higly Effective People, Stephen Covey introduced the concept of circles of concern and influence as a thinking tool for where to focus our energies. Within our circle of concern are issues such as social or ecological problems, as well as those involving other people. Within our circle of influence are things that we have a much greater ability to manoeuvre and direct.

 

For the vast majority of us, our circle of influence lies inside our circle of concern, and we cannot influence all the things we are concerned about.

 

When we spend our time acting in the wider circle of concern; worrying, generating fear, and playing out disaster scenarios of what could happen, we use up available energy that could be spent in our circle of influence. Our circle of influence shrinks as a result of lack of attention and energy, and also because the energy spent worrying disempowers us.

 

In contrast, when our energy is spent in our circle of influence, it expands and we become able to tackle some of the issues that were previously out of reach.

The primary action is to focus our attention and energy on the things we can change.

 

Our own self is the place of minimum effort for maximum effect. Any activity that we can do to centre ourselves, align with our aspirations, increase our well being, improve our communication skills, and expand our knowledge, is within our circle of influence. When we have more presence and focus and keep the commitments we make, others are more likely to listen. When we are awake to our own leadership, we are able to move forwards more easily. Within our families we may worry about our children’s future, their behaviour, the dynamic between siblings... these are all in our circle of concern. What is within our capacity to change is our own behaviour, the time we put into family activities or our home environment. Shifting these things can have ripple effects into the other concerns.

 

In our communities we may desire change in our health and education systems or more integration between the generations. It is in our circle of influence to maintain our own health and research different tools for education. We can act to develop a sense of community by talking to our neighbours, offering support, smiling at strangers, and using our local shops.

Developing our observation and design skills increases our capacity for finding points of intervention and ways to transform systems. There may be something that was previously outside of our influence that now orbits close by as our circle expands. There may also be times when something we have been working on moves out of our reach, and we could waste our time and energy by continuing to work on it. Sometimes our teenagers come within our circle of influence and then minutes later they are oblivious to anything we say.

 

The edge of our circle of influence is dynamic and fuzzy; there are many factors affecting it at any given time. We have all noticed that we are able to convince some people and not others. This can vary with many factors, perhaps just the time of day can determine whether our words are heard or not. It can decrease as well as increase with a change of job or other circumstances.

 

We can look to create pathways that take us to a specific concern. We could become a school governor or the trustee of a charity. We could undertake research or initiate contacts. We will find our own preferences of where we want to act and what we would like to focus on.

 

Creating our own designs for our leadership paths is a proactive way to work within our circles of influence and expand them to have a positive impact in the world.

 

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✍️Take a moment to identify and write down what is in your personal circle of concern. Looking at these concerns, now try to think about what possibilities exist in your circle of influence, which people and spaces (school, park, municipal centers, etc.) are in it. Write them down as well. 

How does it feel to see these two lists? Do you find points in common? Is there any place of convergence where you would like to act?

 

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Did you know that there are initiatives in different places of mothers' associations united for the climate/planet? Here are some of them so that you can be filled with hope and inspiration.

• Madres por el clima (Spain) They describe themselves as “a group of mothers concerned about the planet we will leave to our sons and daughters. And our concern has led us to action. Faced with the inattention or inaction of those who represent us in everything that has to do with the conservation of the planet, we want drastic measures to be implemented urgently to achieve a sustainable society”. They also have the figure of “godmother” to act as a liaison in the schools. They are organized by cities through Telegram/Whatsapp groups and are present in social networks. In climate demonstrations, they usually form a baby block with a safe space delimited for families and children, in addition to organizing a playful activity prior to the demonstration.

• Mothers rebellion for climate justice (Global community). The movement is tied to Extinction Rebellion. They describe themselves as “a movement of mothers, caregivers and allies in a growing global community on six continents. We will not give up the fight for a sustainable present and future for the current and coming generations. We want to be able to look our children into the eyes and say that we truly do all that we can. We turn our grief and frustration over the lack of a powerful, transformative response from our politicians and leaders into action”.

• Mother’s Climate Action network (UK). Mothers CAN brings local groups of mothers together, facilitates discussion of the climate crisis, and supports the groups to identify where they can best direct their energy to cause positive change in their communities. They seek to engage as many mothers as possible, especially those who have never previously been involved in climate action. 

 

5. Final reflection.

We hope this last session has been useful for you to identify possible fields of action in your daily life. We encourage you to connect what you shared during the personal growth module with what you learned in this session. 

Looking at your list of accomplishments, how do you feel now about stepping up for the planet in your community? 

Do you feel called to this mission? If not, where else do you think you could make a difference?

 

6. Personal exercise related to creativity 

Draw a picture of how you would like the spaces you live in every day to look like (your street, your children's school, your neighborhood, the way you move around, etc.).  No matter the result, you don't have to know how to draw, just take your time, play with colors and express what's inside you.

 

7. To close: 

 

If you are a parent who feels you have little nature lore at your disposal there is still much you can do for your child. .. wherever you are and whatever your resources, you can still look up at the sky – its dawn and twilight beauties, its moving clouds, its stars by night – even if you are a city dweller, you can find some place... where you can observe the mysterious migrations of the birds and the changing seasons. Exploring nature with your child is largely a matter of becoming receptive to what lies all around you. It is learning again to use

your eyes, ears, nostrils and finger tips, opening up the disused channels of sensory impression.” - RACHEL CARSON THE SENSE OF WONDER