hellooliviarose

[hellooliviarose]

Final Week - My Quarantine Diary

Being stuck at home is not a new change for me.  I have been an online-only student for two years now and have my own routine based on working and studying from home.  I did have to stop working early on, as I was working at a private chef for a community school and schools here in Connecticut closed quickly.  I live an hour outside New York City and my area and town were hit very hard by this virus.  The strangest change was having my whole family at home with me all day when normally I would be alone. It took some adjusting for the four of us to work separately, together.  I’ve taken this time to be creative and explore my interests.

I built new raised garden beds with my dad for our Spring garden.

I am a chef so I’ve been able to cook up some really fun dishes like this cake I made for my birthday.  A lemon cake with grapefruit frosting and an attempt at looking like a mossy forest floor.  Shameless plug to the food account I made out of boredom.  I’d love to connect! @ oliviarosenaturals on instagram.

My sister and I decided make some bird house kits for our cousin’s kids out in Colorado to keep them entertained.  We used a single board to cut out all the pieces and sent them along with some paint and brushes.  Of course we had to make some for ourselves too.  Mine was not photo worthy but my sister’s was beautiful.

Finally, I have been encouraging everyone I know and random people on the street to take an old grocery bag and some gloves with them on their walks to pick up trash around the neighborhood.  This is something I have always done and now that is seems everyone and their brother is out there walking around, we could be doing some good.

My friends already lived far from me, so it’s my family that I miss the most.  We all live in the same two towns yet haven’t been able to see each other other than a drive-by hello.  We have been connecting over video chat, which is weird but nice.  April is a big month for my family.  One of my cousin’s passed away 5 years ago on April 1st and we always gather to tell stories and be there for each other on that awful day. This is the first time we have not been able to.  My aunt has been working on a documentary film about opioid addiction to help with her own healing and hopefully help those going through the same struggles.  The film was meant to premiere this April but has been postponed until further notice.  My birthday was on April 13, a wildly stormy day full of board games and more video chats.  I am grateful for video conferencing as it has been able to bring us together, but it isn’t the same and we all long to reunite. 

Many of my cousins are musicians and have been posting and collaborating over media like Instagram and Facebook Live to stay connected to an audience.  They are also collaborating to do Happy Hour’s for my uncle restaurant.  Shoutout to their instagram pages I couldn’t figure out how to block out.

The future is cloudy and I feel we have nothing left to do but put our faith in the universe to guide us through these times.  This has taken a toll on us in varying ways and I am sending everyone well wishes and hope.  Thank you all for a great semester.  

I’ll leave you with a photo of my dog, Cleikum.  Who has been a terrific companion and always keeping me busy and active.

[hellooliviarose]

Week 14

Unesco estimates over 160 million girls worldwide are not educated due to refugee status, war relocation, poverty and gender preference. What would the world look like if all girls were educated? What impact do you think educating girls will have on climate change?

Women have consistently been left out and forcibly removed from business opportunities in agricultural production since the dawn of the human race.  Women are less likely to receive proper education and in many developing countries, they are restricted from land ownership and even livestock ownership.  Fixing the gender gaps in agriculture can aid in impacting positive change on the climate crisis. I recently did a report on gender bias in the global food system.  The FAO states that the impacts of bringing education to and involving women and girls into the food system be it through land/business ownership, livestock management, or adapting new technologies will increase yields by 20% and reduce undernourishment by 12%. 60% of malnourished people are women and girls. As we saw in Drawdown, food systems have a major impact on the environment and in the global south, this is a field dominated by men.  Providing proper education to women and girls will allow new perspectives into the climate crisis and provide more opportunities for solving major problems related to the environment while also solving social issues like gender bias, malnourishment, and food access.

I hope that one day, women like Greta and Malala can sit in peace knowing their activism and actions help lead a successful cause to save the planet and increase female participation and end gender bias.

[hellooliviarose]

Week 13

The Bates Clan

I don’t know much about my mother’s side of the family, they have been in Connecticut for a long long time, but somewhere in the past they came to the United States from Ireland and Quebec.  My dad’s family, however, has meticulous records of ancestry and it’s something we all take great pride in. My family’s immigrant story begins in Scotland, where my ancestors have resided for seemingly forever.  My grandparents, Olive Scott and Kenneth Bates were the first to emigrate out of Scotland and settle in the United States.  

Olive Scott & Ken Bates

My grandmother Olive was born in her home in Peebles, Scotland.  She lived a modest life there with her sister and brother. Her father worked for the town and her mother came from a long line of gatekeepers for the large estates that once dotted the area. She, as most people in the town did, worked at the Mill as a seamstress.  My grandfather, Kenneth was born in Canada.  We don’t know who his father was--it’s the big family secret.  Nor do we know why my great grandmother traveled from Scotland to Canada to have him and then return shortly after.  He was raised in Innerleithen, a town bordering Peebles.  My great-granny Innerleithen, as we called her, raised Kenneth on her own working odd jobs and getting help from family. He grew up much poorer than my granny but settled working at the same mill, working his way up to becoming a textile designer.  Their area of Scotland experienced a great deal of turmoil during World War II, but my grandparents were able to lead modest lives in their small towns.  My grandparents met at the mill and a week after their wedding day, in freezing February 1955 they embarked on the Queen Mary to travel from Scotland to New York City.  My grandfather would go on to become a well known textile designer, mainly of tartans.  They raised their family in Cresskill, New Jersey.  My dad was the youngest of three sisters.  My grandparents were able to build a beautiful life for themselves and their family.  They loved Scotland and would have never left if not for the booming textile business in New York.  They were able to travel the world together for work and visited Scotland multiple times a year to stay close to their families.  Kenneth and Olive were quite lucky to have gotten into the niche fashion market when they did, it’s one that doesn’t quite exist anymore.

Kenneth, Papa & My Father, Robert

I have 18 cousins on my father’s side.  We are a large family and an extremely close one.  No one moved far away from each other, all three sisters and my dad ended up in the same town in Connecticut after my grandparents moved into Manhattan and later on to a farm in Pennsylvania.  I grew up going to the same schools as my cousins and we are all best friends. My Papa passed away 9 years ago and my Granny, 2 years ago.  They suffered greatly with Alzheimer’s disease and it was extremely hard to lose them and their wonderful stories.  We still travel to Scotland every year to connect with our homeland and the country my grandparents loved so so much.  This year is the first in my 23 years of life that we will not be going, due to the Corona Virus.  I have a deep respect for my grandparents and what they were able to accomplish and for allowing me to live the life I do.  My grandparents story is one of our favorite stories to tell.  While they didn’t suffer severe hardship, they built a beautiful life from the ground up and were able to create an incredible family full of love and creativity.  I’ll forever been in awe of the life my grandparents led and can only wish to achieve something close to it for myself.

The Bates Clan, missing a few

[hellooliviarose]

Week 12

I thought to include someone who is doing multiple things to not only entertain those at home but raise money for small farmers across the country.  Neil Young is a musician, activist, and co-founder of the organization Farm Aid. He, along with wife Daryl Hannah, have been creating shows called The Fireside Sessions to bring music back into our homes.  As someone as elusive as Neil Young, getting here to songs like Already One, which has been played live maybe 8 times since its release in 1978, is a treat.  Many musicians are struggling after having to cancel shows and entire tours.  Like those without a live audience to play for, Young has created a stage in his own home to help us all heal with music. You can find Fireside Session III via the link below.

https://neilyoungarchives.com/movie-night

Young isn’t only giving us music though.  Farmers across the country are struggling now more than ever, especially those small farmers who sell their products at open markets and through CSA shares.  Covid-19 has been simultaneously overworking farmers and putting their crops and our food at risk.  Showing support to essential workers is necessary.  Young, along with co founders Willie Nelson, John Mellancamp, and board member Dave Mathews put together a live Farm Aid on April 11th to raise money in support of these small farmers.  Typically Farm Aid is a musical event held once a year.  Farm Aid Live raised over $500,000 for family farmers.  They are also actively working to write legislation to ensure government support for farmers effected by these times.  Farm Aid accepts donations on their website as well as their hotline 

1-800-FARMAID  

They also encourage small farmers to reach out and provide them with assistance during hard times.

Young also runs a website The Neil Young Archives, where he showcases new musicians and provides current news and op-ed pieces.  

[hellooliviarose]

Week 11

Wishing everyone good health and better weather. Luckily enough for my I am an online student outside of NYC so my schoolwork has not been affected, sending hope to those stuck in the city. And to those, like me, who work in the food industry--I am a private chef and have no clue when/if I’ll be going to work. Big shoutout to my mom who is an oncology nurse at an overpopulated hospital battling dozens of new cases every day. Stay well friends and laugh often. 

“Turn off the news & build a garden!” - Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real

[hellooliviarose]

Week 8

Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino

“I have felt so many times that the choice of this era is to be destroyed or to morally compromise ourselves in order to be functional—to be wrecked, or to be functional for reasons that contribute to the wreck.” ― Jia Tolentino, Trick Mirror

Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino is a collection of essay examining modern concepts like social media, internet, celebrityhood, and feminism through the author's own experience as a millennial woman.  She discusses how we use celebrities create ideals in all aspects of our life.  Specifically women, turn to social media and are confronted with celebrity everything.  In the early days of internet, Tolentino writes it was wholesome.  People who had the early social media equivalent's were not putting on personas, they were expressing themselves as themselves and there was much less judgement.  Today, with multiple social media platforms controlling nearly every part of life, women are subject to this new breed of internet celebrity.  Internet celebrityhood is not based on achievement or talent like acting or music.  It's based on appearance, whether real or fake.  The rise of social celebrities gives an illusion that anyone can be famous, something many are striving for.  Our newfound tendency to analyze the lives of others and let those lives have a strong influence over our choices has led to an ego-centric lifestyle.  There is a battle of who is best, who is prettier, smarter, who has the biggest house, who has the cutest kid, who goes to the most parties with the coolest people?  Tolentino shuns this toxic obsession with celebrity and internet fame.

She writes that to stay alert of her time and social media's influence is to only engage when you're already feeling good.  She says that social media should not be a place to be serious.  Writing a post on gun control does not make you an activist and twitter is not the place for it.  In her chapter on feminism, Tolentino lays out the ways we use celebrities to create false narratives.  The way we have with celebrities who have struggled with mental disorders or drug addictions is to shun and shame them while they're alive and praise their bravery when they've passed.  Never addressing the problems that celebrity life creates or the thrill we get from watching someone publicly struggle with personal issues.  Trick Mirror explains celebrityhood as exactly that—a trick mirror.  You see one thing in an Instagram post, you don't see the whole story.

A Video Clip of Tolentino Reciting an Excerpt

Trick Mirror lays out many discussions on modern causes.  Each chapter represents a real part of Tolentino's life, but each is something a fellow millennial can relate to.  She speaks of the internet starting off as a helpful tool and way to kill time that has become a powerhouse of self hatred and false narrative.  She even criticizes reality TV by sharing her own experience and proving they create stories out of nothing and trick viewers to come into this made up world.  Tolentino writes personal stories of her experience and why she left the Peace Corp and her experience growing up in a mega church.  Each of her stories shows a two sidedness to life.  She speaks of the scams we deal with today like Fyre Festival, housing markets, and politics to demonstrate how we mindlessly fall victim.  The goal of Trick Mirror is to show that nothing is one sided.  Rarely do we find something unbiased, unchanged, or unedited.  The internet specifically allows for this falsehood and through her own experience has a woman and a millennial, Tolentino brings up powerful words on social change.

This book is a perfect example of how growing up and living in the age of the internet has changed human life.  Tolentino calls society out on it's flaws and argues that our society is obsessed with optimizing all areas of life.  That our lifestyles of over working, over worrying, and over analyzing are detrimental.  She is honest about her experiences in a way we all can relate to.  Many of her stories opened my own eyes to things in my life that I never recognized before.  this unadulterated collection unveils the honest difficulties all young people and millennials are going through.  Even when discussing marriage, Tolentino unveils a sector of mistruths and hidden commitments.  Trick Mirror is a collection of stories we all have but are too scared to tell.

In her essay The Cult of Difficult Women, Tolentino takes a new stance on feminism.  She writes that modern feminism is the business of shutting down any and all negative talk or criticism of women.  This includes criticism that may be warranted.  To the modern feminist movement, any harsh criticism against women is considered sexist.  Tolentino changes that line in her essay and says that women deserve criticism too.  She writes that "[she] has wondered if we're entering a period in which the line between valuing a woman in the face of mistreatment and valuing her because of that mistreatment is blurring..." She argues that goal of the feminist movement is to treat women as equal—the same as you would a man. Where the movement has shifted in the wrong direction is the overprotective attitudes toward criticism of any woman.  Tolentino writes that if we, women, want to be equal we need can't protect those who are doing wrong or deserve a critique.  She gives examples of women in the Trump administration being criticized often and gives an example of Melania Trump meeting with children, locked in cages at the border in Texas while wearing a jacket with"I Really Don't Care, Do U?" written on the back.  The criticism of her fashion choice was twisted into a sexist argument of women having the right to wear whatever they want.  Tolentino writes that seemingly, the Trump administration is using these commonly branded sexist arguments to make their women invincible.  The sexist critiques allow for the story to change and dissolve.  She ends her argument with the statement that criticism coming from a sincere place is important and we shouldn't be so scared of disagreement.

[hellooliviarose]

Week 7: Part 2

Jane (2017) - Click for Website

Jane tells the story of Dame Jane Goodall, a primatologist famous for her work with Chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania.  The film uses footage from the National Geographic archives, most taken by Goodall's former husband and research partner Hugo van Lawick.  Narrated by Dame Goodall herself, the film explores her time in Gombe from start to present day.  Goodall connected immensely with the chimpanzees she observed and this never before released footage shows up close just the bond that they had.  Times at the Gombe Stream National Park have changed since Goodall first visited in the early 1960s.  This film is a glimpse into the past and Goodall's connection to the earth, the animals, and herself.

Goodall had no fear when exploring the jungles alone.  She is seen barefoot, climbing trees and stepping over poisonous snakes.  Goodall was only 26 years old and naive as ever when she was brought to Gombe to observe the wildlife—with no official training, no college degree, just a passion and love for nature and animals.  She continues this childlike wonder of nature and seeks to protect all animals.  The end of the film reveals the spiritual side to Jane Goodall.  She speaks of our human duty to protect other animals.  Humans have a unique ability to communicate and question things greater than them, and this gift means helping all other creatures who do not posses it

"A sense of calm came over me.  More and more often I found myself thinking, this is where I belong.  This is what I came into this world to do." - Jane Goodall

Jane is not about Goodall's research as much as it is about her personal story.  Goodall shares her deep connection to the chimpanzee communities in Gombe and we see it first hand through the films.  Hugo van Lawick was brought to Gombe to film the chimps for National Geographic, a task that was eventually shut down due to his footage being more of Jane than anything else.  Goodall enjoyed her solitude and slow living in Gombe.  She reiterates that she was never afraid, because she was not college educated she had no reason to be.  She discovered that chimps make and use tools, something that a college educated person would find hard to believe.

The introduction of polio to the Gombe chimpanzees was devastating.  Many died, including Goodall's old friends.  She recalls having to put a chimp down after polio had taken both his legs and an arm.  Never once did Goodall question her decision. She would never sit and watch a human suffer and she wouldn't do so for an animal either.  This film continuously connects Goodall and the Gombe chimps who helped shaped her.  It's a film that truly touches on emotions and the possibly connections between man and beast.  Goodall's work was not selfish or for business, it was pure and honest.  Goodall spent months simply observing from a distance, there was no rush to discover anything. 

Goodall makes it clear with that her story is one of pure love for animals.  Since her time away from Gombe she has consistently traveled to speak on behalf of the chimpanzees and to explore deeper into nature.  This film is unique in its storytelling.  The video tells the story of Jane Goodall as she learns and grows alongside the chimpanzees.  Her connection to the head female, Flo was unlike any other.  They traveled through motherhood side by side, both struggling in different ways.  Goodall says she learned how to be a mother through watch Flo and her infant song Flint.  When Flo passed away of old age, Flint followed soon after, seemingly from a broken heart.  The film showing this raw footage and the connection between man and chimp is surreal and heartbreaking.

Goodall's work in Gombe was the first of its kind.  Her research has changed the world and the way we view primates.  The goal of this film was to show Goodall's dedication to the Gombe chimps and her personal connection and growth alongside them.  This was not just scientific research for Goodall.  It was a young woman following her passion and love for animals and learning through them and alongside them.  It's a truly inspiring story that we can learn from all species and help each-other.  We have an obligation to protect them and be united.

“Transcends the boundaries of both nature films and biographies. Its epic elements of adventure, romance, and spiritual connection possess a sweep equal to any narrative film. A wondrous, moving, and truly stirring portrait that puts us right there with Goodall to share in her discoveries, propelled by the majestic sounds of Philip Glass. This is a truly stirring legacy portrait.” - David Rooney (Hollywood Reporter)

[hellooliviarose]

Week 7: Part 1

Citizen Jane: Battle for the City (2016) - Click For Website

 Citizen Jane tells the story of Jane Jacobs, a journalist, writer and activist in the field of Urban Studies.  The film follows Jacobs' story of taking down generations of urban designers and official government planning, advocating for urban diversity.  In this period of history, post WWII, plans for urban renewal and slum clearance were high priority in New York City.  Citizen Jane focuses on New York City and the urban planner Robert Moses.  Moses was infamous for housing developments across the city and attempts to create a commuter friendly environment rather than a resident friendly one.  He often referred to low income complexes as "cancerous" and expressed a great need to rid the city of this cancer.  At a time in the country where people were grasping for suburban lives, Moses took this too seriously and made the cities into more of a place to work than a place to live. The projects became even worse than the slums they were meant to replace, creating more crime and hopelessness.  What he, and other progressives, failed to include in their plan was what those people actually wanted. Progressives wanted to start over, clean up and get a redo on New York City. They saw a dirty city littered with garbage and muck. Jane Jacobs saw the city in a different light. She was in awe of the unique neighborhoods and the people that created them. The idea behind the projects and urban renewal was to cut out the bad areas--areas where poor people hung out on stoops and sidewalks.

Jane Jacobs resided in lower Manhattan, an area Moses was planning to nearly destroy.  Moses planned on running a highway right through Washington Square Park, a famous gathering space for people from all walks of life.  In retaliation, Jacobs published The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961), a book that argued urban renewal projects were not in the best interest, nor did they meet the basic needs of city dwellers.  The city planning field did not take kindly to a woman tearing them down.  Jacobs fought extensively to shut down the proposed Lower Manhattan Expressway in an attempt to save the diverse and historically significant neighborhoods of SoHo, Little Italy, Lower East Side, and more.  Jacobs was instrumental in the shut down and even arrested for inciting riots at a public hearing for the project.  Jane Jacobs did all of this with no official college degree, and no experience in urban planning.  Jacobs was purely an activist, fighting to protect the rights of city folk and ensure equal livelihood for low income families in New York City.

“This is not the rebuilding of cities, this is the sacking of cities.” - Jane Jacobs

Jane Jacobs resided in lower Manhattan, an area Moses was planning to nearly destroy.  Moses planned on running a highway right through Washington Square Park, a famous gathering space for people from all walks of life.  In retaliation, Jacobs published The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961), a book that argued urban renewal projects were not in the best interest, nor did they meet the basic needs of city dwellers.  The city planning field did not take kindly to a woman tearing them down.  Jacobs fought extensively to shut down the proposed Lower Manhattan Expressway in an attempt to save the diverse and historically significant neighborhoods of SoHo, Little Italy, Lower East Side, and more.  Jacobs was instrumental in the shut down and even arrested for inciting riots at a public hearing for the project.  Jane Jacobs did all of this with no official college degree, and no experience in urban planning.  Jacobs was purely an activist, fighting to protect the rights of city folk and ensure equal livelihood for low income families in New York City.

Jane Jacobs changed the way urban planners viewed cities.  Jacobs believed in working within the fabric of the city to create a better way. She wanted to create neighborhoods with diversity, constant connection, easy access, and a mix of both people and buildings. The housing projects were dead end streets and isolated neighborhoods, Jacobs’ ideas were to keep the city together and not isolate any of the residents. To exploit and reinforce the cities strengths. 

“Cities have the capability of providing for everyone, only when and if they are created by everyone.” - Jane Jacobs

Citizen Jane shows the way our viewpoints have changed on big cities.  Jane Jacobs fought for the people of the city and protecting their history and diversity.  Robert Moses was tearing down neighborhoods to make room for thruways, forcing low income citizens to reside in dead end neighborhoods filled with crime, and threatening to turn New York into an extension of the suburbs instead of the mecca of culture it was.  Jacobs' passion for protecting the traditions and cultures of all people in New York City derailed Moses' plans.

Looking at New York City, we respect and encourage new cultural interaction.  Neighborhoods are set in stone and communities are thriving.  Jacobs' efforts to protect the sidewalk conversations and corner stores succeeded.  Citizen Jane is an inspiring film that would bring anyone to visit the city to see its diverse communities and citizens.

[hellooliviarose]

Week 6

Where do these youth leaders go from here?

Youth leaders need to continue and more need to rise up.  Clearly the adults, who should have the young people in their best interest, are failing.  It’s truly mind boggling that gun control is even in question.  I have seen less of this talk in news programs and more on other topics.  This needs to be front page news every day until changes are made.  This is an active issue, an American issue, and an issue taking the lives of children and adults across the country--everyday.  I do believe change will come once the younger generation can take control of the greater power and intact change.  It is so obvious now that politics has always been a game of money and power, the younger generation has fresh eyes and can change this.

Is the reign of the NRA reaching its twilight moment?

It does not seem to me that the NRA has reached its twilight moment.  While there are more protests and activism against the NRA than ever before, few changes have been made.  For a drastic problem like this, drastic changes need to be made.  Changing the age of purchase from 18 to 21 in some states and stores like Walmart is a positive step but no where near the finish line.  Our current administration is feeding the NRA more than ever before.  Saying nothing is just as bad as outwardly supporting.

Is the tide is turning on gun violence in the US?

This I don’t know.  I sure hope it is but from what I’ve seen, even the horrifying murder of young children in Newtown, a town I live very close to, was not enough to convince the NRA or it’s supporters that laws need to be created to protect our children.

Have you become more active on gun violence issues since March for Our Lives?  

I have never been in contact with a gun, nor do I ever wish to.  I have always been active on issues involving guns, in the beginning because of my stance on hunting.  I grew up going to my grandparents farm in Pennsylvania most weekends and the town was big on hunting deer.  My grandfather, for a period of time, allowed hunters to access our land during the season for a fee.  I often was told not to go for walks and would run into carcasses or hunting lookouts in the trees.  My love of animals and inability to understand the “fun” of murdering innocent animals for reasons other than the necessity of food brought me to beg, plead, and educate my grandparents to eventually end their partnerships with the local hunters. Since then I have never been in contact with anyone who owns a gun or has a desire to.  It’s not something that is in my everyday life but I will always fight against it.  I am petrified of movie theaters and have not been inside of one since the shooting in Colorado; I get panic attacks in crowded spaces for fear of a shooting and avoid them at all costs. I see no sense in owning a strong weapon unless you reside somewhere were serious animal attacks are a threat.  I understand that people hunt but I don’t think that access to a weapon stronger than a bow and arrow is necessary, guns are a cowards weapon.  

Have you Registered to VOTE? Here’s how to do it: https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote

I have registered to vote and try my best to convince others to as well.  

[hellooliviarose]

Week 5

Paul Hawken is an author, activist, and environmentalist.  He has written several books on topics varying from economics, business, and the environment.   Hawken’s approach and perspective on climate change and global warming is set in smaller actions with achievable plans, as opposed to some plans that are on an extremely large scale.  For many people, a task as daunting as saving the planet seems so achievable that they don’t even begin to try.  In his book Drawdown, Hawken approaches individual problems and offers plans that will prove success.  A build up of small successes like this will bring greater improvement to the cause and is more accessible to the average human who may otherwise not be interested.

Project Drawdown is the organization grown alongside Drawdown the book.  The non-profit provides not only education to those interested in these solutions and issues, but is continuously researching through its fellowship program.  Many of the solutions offered in Drawdown are active.  The book was not meant for a “hey look what we could do” is “look what we are doing.”  Seeing these small results from individual solutions makes the task of changing the world seem a little more achievable.

In a list of the top 20 solutions to cool down the planet, food waste comes in third.  Boasting a possible 70.53 gigatons of reduced carbon dioxide if reduced.  The United States alone wastes over 40% of it’s edible food and one third of food produced in the world is wasted before it even reaches a fork.  Drawdown lists that wasted food is responsible for “8% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.” Below is a clip from the television show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, explaining the food waste problem more in depth. It has always been my goal to be able to provide for myself and my community through working the land and using it to fuel my life.  The only thing stopping me is how long it is taking me to finish college.  I believe I already have implemented a lot of these solutions, specifically the one’s revolving around food.  I try my best to not cook with gas, I cook with fire as fuel.  I don’t eat animal products because of the effect of CAFOs on the environment and I try my very best to only eat locally grown produce to keep transportation emissions down.  I mill my own grains for flour and I never buy pre-packaged products.  Things I could do better are my electricity habits.  In my ideal world I wouldn’t need a cellphone or computer.  Unfortunately at this point in my life that is not feasible.  I make sure to unplug anything that doesn’t need to be used at the moment but I live in a home with four other people who do not share my views on that.  I also live in a town that is not walkable, doesn’t have a reasonable public transport system, and does not have safe roads to bike on so driving is my only option.  It takes an active mind to participate in change and this book has certainly inspired me to continue my work and implement new solutions when I have the opportunity to.

 Many celebrities have recently begun to speak out on preventing food waste.  Celebrity chef Jaimie Oliver has been a long supporter of many food related causes.  Prominently on his website there are tips listed to help decrease individual waste like sticking to a shopping list, taking note of what you already have at home, and properly understanding Use-By and Sell-By dates.  

https://www.jamieoliver.com/food-waste/

In my own life I try my best to make as little food waste as possible. In the Spring and Summer I mainly consume food grown myself in my garden and whatever produce I can’t manage to finish goes right back into the soil through my compost system.  Having worked in restaurants and seen the mass amounts of food wasted, it’s been a personal challenge of mine to reduce my and my family’s waste as much as possible.  I work as a private chef now and encourage my clients to do the same by signing them up for the town composting program.  I took a class last semester on Food Waste with professor Andrew Smith and highly highly recommended it to any classmates interested in this discussion.  Hawken’s suggestions for decreasing food waste are mainly on a governmental level, while I believe that something like this better resonates on a personal level when people learn how much money they are essentially throwing away with their leftovers.

 The Project Drawdown fellowship program is a research team setting out to find and initiate effective solutions for solving/reversing climate change and global warming.  Dr. Stefan Gary is a research fellow in the 2018-2019 team.  His work lies in North Atlantic oceanography and ocean conservation.  His research has him following and observing large scale ocean movement and applying techniques and solutions to decrease carbon emissions in and on our oceans. Gary is also a Honorary Fellow of physical Oceanography at the Scottish Association for Marine Science.  Drawdown does not have a specific category for ocean and marine related solutions/issues.  Our planet is roughly 70% water-covered, and the oceans hold about 95% of all Earth's water.  Observing and implementing water based solutions is incredibly important and the majority of that work is large scale due to the amount of water Earth holds.

 The Environment Show reviewed Drawdown in a positive light that I agree with. They write “What becomes clear from Drawdown is that our existing idea of solutions has been too narrowly focused on a few obvious solutions – like wind energy, solar energy and electric cars. We need a whole suite of solutions to draw down greenhouse gases. In his book, Hawken is proposing 100 solutions to draw down greenhouse gases.” I agree strongly with this thought.  Hawken targets so much in this book that isn’t talked about enough.  We all know we shouldn’t drive cars so much and we should turn our lights off when we leave a room, but what we don’t know is city planning, urban farming, gas stove consumption etc... Hawken provides so many solutions that it truly brightest up a movement that is often very upsetting.  Positivity and tangible change bring in new support that is much needed.

https://www.environmentshow.com/paul-hawken-drawdown-book-review/

I was honestly surprised to see an entire section of this book dedicated to Women and Girls.  Hawken writes that women and girls need equal opportunities in the environmental movement be it through jobs and land ownership in agricultural paths, family planning, or education. Women having the choice to have children allows them to pursue a life they otherwise would not have been allowed.  The majority of countries still treat women and girls as less than men, including the United States.  Humanity is a part of the movement to save the planet.  People need to be saved too.

It has always been my goal to be able to provide for myself and my community through working the land and using it to fuel my life.  The only thing stopping me is how long it is taking me to finish college.  I believe I already have implemented a lot of these solutions, specifically the one’s revolving around food.  I try my best to not cook with gas, I cook with fire as fuel.  I don’t eat animal products because of the effect of CAFOs on the environment and I try my very best to only eat locally grown produce to keep transportation emissions down.  I mill my own grains for flour and I never buy pre-packaged products.  Things I could do better are my electricity habits.  In my ideal world I wouldn’t need a cellphone or computer.  Unfortunately at this point in my life that is not feasible.  I make sure to unplug anything that doesn’t need to be used at the moment but I live in a home with four other people who do not share my views on that.  I also live in a town that is not walkable, doesn’t have a reasonable public transport system, and does not have safe roads to bike on so driving is my only option.  It takes an active mind to participate in change and this book has certainly inspired me to continue my work and implement new solutions when I have the opportunity to.

[hellooliviarose]

Week 4

1. Why do you think the #MeToo movement has been so effective? Why now?

Because of the speed and power of social media, the #MeToo movement was able to soar to the top of everyone’s feed.  It’s been effective in many ways mainly thanks to its start as a celebrity cause.  The large voices of the celebrities who joined this movement brought it to the world’s attention and the simplicity of the hashtag made it a movement that felt accessible and that “normal” people (or non-celebrities) could be involved in too.  The uncomfortable, sad, and traumatizing nature of the stories in this movement made it difficult for women to speak up, as we are used to having to suppress these feelings and stories.  This was finally an opportunity to speak up without having to go into detail.  The anonymity of social media and the internet also aided in encouraging women to come forward without as large of a threat of backlash from non-supporters.  That being said, the non-supporters feel they can also speak louder.

2. What other impacts have you observed of the #MeToo movement? How has it affected you?

#MeToo is something I hear now in everyday speech, it’s a phrase everyone knows at this point.  I only started a social media account a few months ago to share my work and stay in touch with family. I try my best to stay offline and not involved in celebrity business.  I don’t find it helpful or necessary in my life to know the personal information of someone I don’t even know.  I do though, understand the power they hold over the majority of the world population.  I hear #metoo referenced on a weekly basis in empowering speech and often distasteful “jokes” from some people.  It has definitly brought awareness into my own live and made me recognize injustice in my life I never noticed before.  I think mainly it has made me realize how many people in my life don’t approve of women having equal rights and think that #metoo is a joke.  This movement has made so many strides and given women the power to finally speak up without fear but it’s also given others the feeling that they need to tear it down.  I can only hope that this movement becomes the normal and those who feel otherwise have their minds changed.

3. What is the celebrity lens here? What did celebrities risk in joining #MeToo? What have they gained?

Celebrities obviously hold a lot of power and influence but the majority of that is created from their fanbases.  Speaking out on any sort of controversial topic can bring down a career.  Consider The Dixie Chicks, they were a thriving country musical group with a fanbase of largely republican Americans.  They spoke their mind about President Bush and his involvement in the Middle East--and have not really been heard from since.  It’s a big career risk to speak up.  I know my younger sister is a big Taylor Swift fan and had me watch a documentary she put out that detailed how she decided to turn her celebrity power into something good and take action on the things she believes in.  She struggled a lot with making that decision and possibly risking the end of her career.  I’ve seen the effect of Taylor Swift’s political commentary in my sister who has agreed with everything and chosen to speak up on the same topics.  The power celebrities have over their fans is a dangerous game but I think if this is the way to get people to start talking about important topics then it’s a good thing.

[hellooliviarose]

Week 3

1. How do these stories help people locate not just hope but solutions?

Last week we spoke of young leaders advocating for change.  This week we examine the young leaders who are actively finding solutions.  Both of these methods are extremely important and one wouldn’t exist without the other.  Our present cultural climate allows adults to berate children and teenagers who are trying to shake things up and open their eyes to the issues in our world.  These "solution geeks” are making tangible solutions, obvious for anyone to see.  It’s harder to deny something that is truly in front of you and operating.  These leaders not only have the strength for fight for a cause, but the knowledge to make real changes and influence others to get on board.

2. Which of these individuals had to overcome the most obstacles to realize their project?

All of these innovators faced challenges with their projects whether it was financial, scientific, or due to their age.  When you’re young, it’s hard to get people to listen or take you seriously.  Much like the two girls from Bali must have faced being merely 10 & 12 years old; yet they were able to make their voices heard.  Kelvin Doe never had access to learn tech or engineering, he barely had access to electricity, yet he taught himself and made himself known to receive the education and the tools he desired. And Boyan Slat struggled with the enormity of his project.  The success of his ocean cleanup method required major financial assistance in addition to his knowledge and other resources.  Each one of these individuals faced challenges whether it be more personal or broad and here we are reading about their amazing works.

3. Which of these stories has the most resonance for you in terms of solution-making?

The story that resonated with me the most was Lauren Singer’s.  Reducing my waste is something important to me and while I think the “3 Years of Waste in A Mason Jar” is a bit of a stretch, it definitely shocked the audience and put waste into perspective.  I think a lot of change happens on the individual level and it’s obviously where change starts.  Singer’s story was about her individual habits and the changes she made in her life to achieve her own goals.  If more of us delved into a passion/cause like that, a lot of positive change would come of it.  When it comes to plastic waste, if the majority stops using it, businesses will catch on and stop as well.  We as consumers hold so much power and if we just harness it and shop at the right places like Singer mentioned, we can create lasting change. 

4. Is there a key environmental problem are you inspired to solve? How would you execute it? 5. How would you message a movement for your solution?

I am very invested in food security and solving the hunger and agricultural issues in the world, specifically the global south.  Present global food systems are extremely lacking and even though there is an enormous amount of food in the world, we don’t have the proper distribution systems to get that food to the places that need it.  In addition, our industrial agriculture systems that tend to only feed the global north, are destroying our planet.  The first step in finding solutions would be education.  Food should be a given, and those who don’t worry about finding food for dinner don’t understand its importance and the blessing that it is.  We all need to be educated on the impacts and the role industrial agriculture plays in the world hunger crisis and climate crisis.  There’s no way that once you know and understand the information, you will stand idly by.  The basic human rights are food, shelter, and water and we should be learning everything we can in order to ensure those rights are guaranteed to all.

On a larger scale, helping countries create infrastructure to build proper distribution channels and agricultural systems is the way to help individual countries.  Whether or not this can be done in the government sector, the private sector, or both is unclear to me.  There are pros and cons to both but something needs to happen.

6. Locate a similar example in Project Drawdown by Paul Hawken

Paul Hawken provides many solutions in regards to food.  He targets food waste encouraging people to stop wasting food.  Stating that 1/3 of the food produced in the world is wasted before it even gets to our plates.  That food could be given to the population constantly searching for quality food.  He also mentions changing our diets to better our own health and the health of the planet; boasting a plant based diet is the way to go.  Hawken also touches on agricultural practices and environmentally friendly cooking methods.  Taking on any one of these new practices is extremely important and would mean a great deal to the cause of safer, accessible, abundant, healthy food.

Required Reading: Drawdown by Paul Hawken

[hellooliviarose]

Week 2

Autumn Peltier

Autumn Peltier is 15 years old.  She is Anishinaabe-kwe and a member of the Wikwemikong First Nation. Peltier is internationally recognized for her activism and work in protecting clean water. Her work was inspired by her family who spoke of the living spirit of water and her experiences in Canada, where many sacred lands and reservations have lost access to clean water due to oil, pipelines, and other large industries.  In 20118, at age 13, she spoke on World Water Day at the United Nations to address the start of the Water Decade.  A water focused action.  She continues to fight the battle for water protection with the support of indigenous people in both Canada and The United States.  In 2017 she was nominated for the Children’s International Peace Prize.  Her passion and dedication is shown, even when meeting the prime minister of Canada Justin Trudeux, Peltier is seen shaking with tears as she demands change from him and the Canadian government.  She has battled verbal and physical bullying at school and in everyday life because of her activism.  Never once has she turned her back on her beliefs.  Her travels and money put into the projects come out of her own family pocket, proving their nonstop, non-quit attitude. In her speech at the U.N. Peltier addresses where should hopes to be at the end of the Water Decade.  In 2028, she will be

“I have taken a photo of where we are at today...My snapshot does not look good...All I can do is help educate and share a story of how we need to respect mother earth and respect our water...I want my grand children to know how I fought for their clean drinking water.”  

“Our water should not be for sale.”

Since 2018, Peltier has addressed the UN multiple times honoring her great aunt and spreading her message of protecting water on indigenous lands and around the world.

While the adults of the world continue to bicker back and forth and shun the ideas of the young, those young people are standing up and taking matters into their own hands.  Seeing children march, speak, and fight for the earth show how desperate we are for change.  Adults are less likely to bicker with a child, yet we even see prominent world leaders fighting like children, with children.  Even the president of the United States acting like a toddler picking fights with the likes of Greta Thunberg and others.  Seeing these world leaders talk back to young people shows just the kind of people they truly are.  It’s up to the young now.

[hellooliviarose]

Week 1

My favorite celebrity is Willie Nelson.  I grew up with his music and it remains as my favorite.  I appreciate Willie Nelson’s honesty and use of his celebrity for doing good.  He is opinionated and shares his beliefs with the world and yet he continues to make music that everyone enjoys and loves regardless of how their opinions line up.  Along with John Mellencamp and Neil Young, Willie Nelson founded FarmAid, an organization that raises money and assists small family farmers during hard times.  My dream of farming my own land and my love of Willie Nelson go hand in hand. The work FarmAid does to support family farmers is crucial in the present world of industrial agriculture.   Family farms are being run off by agribusinesses and FarmAid’s benefit concerts and fundraising supports these small farms and helps protect our food.  They are saving farms and protecting our food from being industrialized.  This is a cause that is extremely important to me and I believe should be for everyone.

I’ll forever be in awe of his talent and strength at 86 years old.  I’ve been honored to see him multiple times in concert and he is truly unstoppable.