Earth Week Monday

This week is Earth Week, and I plan to post an agenda of activities for each day, including some reading and education, contemplation, earth care actions, and artwork, to ground me in unity with the Earth. 

Today I just want to sit with the notion that I am of the earth, and settle into a contemplation of how I want to BE.

Maya Angelou said, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” This is the kind of flexible optimism I aim for - not naivety, but realistic and adjustable. 

I am aware that the planet is suffering, that birds and insects are dying, that we will face riots and wars because of our actions. But I need to have hope that things can change, and I need to do what I can to make change. And then I need to cultivate an attitude of joy because of all the beauty we still have.

Agenda:

1. Read "5 Resets" 

2. Fossil free transitions

3. Be at peace in Nature

1. Read "5 Resets":

I started this book for Lent: "The 5 Resets: Rewire Your Brain and Body for Less Stress and More Resilience" (2024), by Aditi Nerurkar. I made it through 2 resets and into the 3rd: 

Synch Your Brain and Your Body. Our mind-body connection is always running in the background, and plugging in to it with intention can help reduce your stress. 

I enjoyed two breathing exercises -  the Stop-Breathe-Be habit of noticing my body, thoughts, and emotions in the moment, and Heart-Centered Breathing, to soothe myself when I'm sad. 

The next technique for this reset is to take a twenty minute walk every day. This dovetails with my intention to get Sadie out for walks every day, now that the weather is better. The main instructions are to pay attention to my body in motion, my breathing, and my surroundings.

2. Fossil free transitions: 

Every year for Earth Week I choose a new focus for learning. Last  year I chose the sustainable food and regenerative farming. This year I'm looking at the transition away from fossil fuels, which are the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions, and the biggest cause of climate change.

Transitioning away from fossil fuels involves a global effort to reduce reliance on coal, oil, and gas and move towards renewable energy sources. The transition requires significant investments in renewable energy infrastructure, policy changes, and a global commitment to phase out fossil fuel production and use.

I'm looking at a U.N. article called "Five Ways to Jump Start the Renewable Energy Transition Now":

The first way is to make renewable energy technology a "global public good", meaning a good that is available to all, and not just to the wealthy. We can do that by removing roadblocks to knowledge sharing and technological transfer, including intellectual property rights barriers. 

The second is to improve global access to components and raw materials (something Trump is actively blocking).

Third is to level the playing field for renewable energy technologies by fast-tracking renewable energy projects and catalyzing private sector investments.

Fourth is to shift energy subsidies from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Fossil-fuel subsidies are one of the biggest financial barriers, and are both inefficient and inequitable. Across developing countries, about half of the public resources spent to support fossil fuel consumption benefits the richest 20 percent of the population. Shifting subsidies from fossil fuels to renewable energy not only cuts emissions, it also contributes to the sustainable economic growth, job creation, better public health and more equality, particularly for the poor and most vulnerable communities around the world.

Finally, We need to triple investments in renewables. At least $4 trillion a year needs to be invested in renewable energy until 2030 – including investments in technology and infrastructure – to allow us to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Not nearly as high as yearly fossil fuel subsidies, this investment will pay off. The reduction of pollution and climate impact alone could save the world up to $4.2 trillion per year by 2030.

3. Be at peace in Nature:

I'm going to spend a good part of this morning outside, hoeing, watering, and removing invasive English ivy. I want to take my time, remember to feel the textures and smell the smells of nature, and soak in the peace.