Researchers at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University (US), in a study published on March 15 in Emerging Infectious Disease, associated a deadly 2022 outbreak of H5N1 with the deaths of New England harbor and gray seals in June and July 2022 along the US’s New England coast. The outbreak was connected to “a wave of avian influenza in birds in the region,” according to a March 15, 2023 report in Science Daily. Here is some of the report’s data on the disturbing toll of H5N1, a strain of highly pathogenic avian influenzaH (HPAI), known commonly as bird flu. The deadly H5N1 has led to the destruction of 60 million US farmed birds since October 2020. The Tufts study is among those to first connect HPAI directly to a deadly event in wild animal populations. H5N1 recently killed many sea birds in Peru—notably 60,000 pelicans, penguins, and gulls. Peru has also reported the deaths of 3,500 sea lions from the virus. The Tufts research team identified at least three strains of bird flu that crossed the Atlantic to the US from Europe. The deadly seal event in New England—330 animals perished—coincided with the deaths of gulls in the region. H5N1 is almost 100% fatal for domestic and wild birds (except waterfowl). The same lethality held true for all the New England seals that tested positive, though it is unknown if some survivors in the seal population were asymptomatic. Fewer than 10 human cases* of H5N1 have been reported globally since December 2021—all were associated with direct human exposure to infected poultry. A total of 868 cases of human infection with H5N1 have been reported worldwide since 2003, according to the World Health Organization. Some 457 of these infections were fatal—about a 50% mortality rate. *According to the Science Daily report, no documentation exists for human transmission of H5N1. Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230315132401.htm

Overall, mostly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions, energy-related CO2 emissions decreased by 11% in the US in 2020. Transportation sector: Petroleum, which typically accounts for the majority of CO2 emissions in transportation, experienced a 15% decrease in emissions compared to 2019. Commercial sector: CO2 emissions associated with energy use fell overall by 12%, with emissions from commercial electricity down by 13%, commercial petroleum down by 13%, and natural gas by 11%. Industrial sector: Energy-related CO2 emissions fell by 8% overall, with coal emissions down 15%, electricity by 15%, petroleum by 8%, and natural gas by 2%. Residential sector: CO2 emissions associated with energy use in the residential sector declined by 6% in 2020, with residential petroleum emissions down by 11%, natural gas by 7%, and electricity by 5%. Residential petroleum emissions fell by 11%, natural gas by 7%, and electricity by 5%. Within the U.S. power sector, emissions from coal declined the most, at 19%. Natural gas-related CO2 rose by 3%. In 2020, as fossil fuel generation declined, generation from renewables continued to grow. Generation from wind and solar together increased by 17% in 2020 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

There’s no better way to celebrate Earth Day every day than to reduce dependency on single-use plastic products by using reusable shopping bags and washable drink containers. If anyone thinks disposable plastic products are no big deal, the folks at earthday.org offer some sobering statistics: Annual global plastic production virtually equals the weight of all humanity. Fifty percent of global annual plastic production goes into single-use products. Five trillion plastic bags are made worldwide each year. Americans discard about 100 billion plastic bags annually. The global population uses about 1.2 million plastic bottles per minute. Only around 9% of plastic water bottles are recycled; the other 91% end up in landfills or as plastic litter in bodies of water. The global population uses about 500 billion plastic cups every year. Americans discard about 25 billion Styrofoam cups a year. About 146 million metric tons of packaging plastic was used worldwide in 2017. Americans use about half a billion drinking straws each day on average. Source: https://www.earthday.org/fact-sheet-single-use-plastics/

The Popular Korean Condiment, Jugyeom, Has Been Shown to Thwart Cancer in Mice By yuka Sakai and Sang Hyun Lee* An ancient Korean condiment known as jugyeom may be the world’s most expensive salt. In its most potent and expensive form, jugyeom has a distinct purple color and comes with a price tag of $100 per 8.5 oz. Recent research suggests that the price might be worth it. While already attracting global attention for its distinct manufacturing process and health claims, jugyeom has now shown efficacy against cancer in mice. Jugyeom and the Five Elements The process for creating jugyeom, also known as bamboo salt, is ancient. But it gained a wider audience in 1980 when Il-hoon Kim, a doctor of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), published his book "The Universe and the Divine's Medicine." TKM recognizes the importance of the five elements—fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. The production process of jugyeom involves high-quality ingredients, including handcrafted sea salt from Korea Bay (water), bamboo stalks and Korean pinewood (wood), and clay from the Korean mountains (earth), all of which are roasted (fire) in a metal tray and kiln (metal). Originally, bamboo salt was roasted two to three times, but the number of roasting times rose to nine, as this number holds great significance in TKM for enhancing health and wellness. This “nine-times roasted” (9X) innovation was brought to life by the visionary Dr. Kim, who dedicated himself to refining and perfecting the process. The manufacturing process is a meticulous, multi-step procedure that spans several weeks and requires the utmost care and attention to detail at every stage. The use of sun-dried sea salt sourced from Korea Bay, carefully packed into hand-selected three-year-old bamboo stalks, is just the beginning. These stalks are then sealed with mountain clay, creating a protective layer that preserves the integrity of the salt. The final step is high-temperature roasting of the salt in a metal kiln, which takes twelve to fourteen hours using the finest Korean pinewood as fuel, bringing out the full potential of the salt. With each roasting, the bamboo stalks undergo a transformation, infusing the salt with minerals and oils from the clay and bamboo, creating an ever-more-potent product. The salt columns that remain after each roast are ground down and repacked into new bamboo stalks, beginning the cycle anew. This process is repeated eight more times, leading to the last stage, which involves the use of a special kiln and temperatures that reach above 1,000℃ (1,832℉). This ninth roasting melts the bamboo and salt into a single entity, which is then molded into a black, rock-like structure after a period of cooling. The final step is the breaking apart of the structure by hand, resulting in the distinctive and highly prized 9X baked purple jugyeom. Scientific Studies Show Efficacy Bamboo salt is gaining attention from scientists and enjoying global popularity in the growing health and wellness sector. A recent study conducted by Dr. Kun-Young Park explored the anti-tumor properties of bamboo salt by testing its effects on highly malignant sarcoma cells in lab mice. The mice were given a diet that contained 4.7% of various salts, including 1X, 3X, and 9X baked bamboo salt, solar salt (evaporated from sea water), and purified salt. After seven to ten days, the results revealed that bamboo salt had an anti-cancer effect, with the 9X baked bamboo salt being the most effective in inducing apoptosis (cell death) and reducing inflammation. Moreover, the 9X bamboo salt showed the highest increase in immunity or lymphocyte proliferation. Jugyeom has also been explored as a potential treatment for H. pylori-related gastritis. H. pylori is a bacterium that has been linked to several gastrointestinal issues. The current H. pylori triple therapy treatment regimen of antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor has been declining in effectiveness. A study involving H. pylori-infected mice found that bamboo salt had anti-inflammatory effects and exhibited antibacterial activity against H. pylori. It was also shown to inhibit gastric damage caused by aspirin and ethanol. With a higher alkalinity and mineral content than regular salt, bamboo salt has the potential to be a more effective treatment option for H. pylori-associated gastritis. Bamboo salt’s higher alkalinity and mineral content gives it higher antioxidant activity. Bamboo salt’s higher alkalinity and mineral content also gives it higher antioxidant activity. The results suggest that jugyeom has potential as a treatment for H. pylori-related gastritis when used in combination with additional therapy. A clinical trial compared the effectiveness of bamboo salt herbal toothpaste to conventional non-herbal toothpaste. The double-blinded, parallel, randomized controlled trial involved sixty dental students, aged eighteen to thirty, who were free of systemic diseases, allergies, smoking, orthodontic appliances, and untreated dental caries (demineralization and remineralization of hard dental tissues). The participants brushed their teeth twice a day for two minutes using the Bass technique and refrained from using fluoride-containing products or mouthwash. The results showed that bamboo salt herbal toothpaste had a positive impact on oral health, reducing the count of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus and showing potential benefits such as reducing plaque and gum irritations, whitening teeth, decreasing demineralization, decreasing tooth hypersensitivity, and strengthening tooth enamel. Easy to Buy and Use For those who appreciate bamboo salt’s premium ingredients, it is becoming increasingly popular not just in Asia, but in the Western world as well. And it is easy to find from top Korean brands at Walmart or Amazon. It is important to note that jugyeom costs more than regular table salt, but, if one is willing to invest in high-quality ingredients and in health and wellness, switching out regular salt for jugyeom is a delicious way to incorporate this unique ingredient into anyone’s diet. The purest form, 9X baked bamboo salt, can be enjoyed by letting one to four grams melt gently on the tongue, while five to seven grams of 1X or 2X jugyeom can be added to any recipe for extra flavor. For those who love Korean cuisine, a kimchi jjigae (stew) recipe by Woodland Foods is a great place to start incorporating jugyeom into one’s cooking. *Yuka Sakai is a fourth-year student at Wongu University of Oriental Medicine in Nevada, where she is studying to become a licensed Oriental Medicine Doctor in Nevada. Sang Hyun Lee is the President of Wongu University of Oriental Medicine in Nevada and a licensed Oriental Medicine Doctor in Nevada.

By Yasuhiro Kotera* Many people go on nature walks to ease tension, worry, or stress. There is something soothing and calming about a walk in the woods or by the ocean that brings reflection and relief. Why is that? What does nature have that we need? What have we learned from science that can answer these questions? People Feel Better When in Nature The science of nature walks and their impact on mental health is attracting increased attention and research these days. Especially since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health has been a growing concern throughout the world. In addition, global sensitivity towards humankind’s relationship with and effect on the environment also continues to increase. For many, walking in nature is an accessible, affordable way to reduce mental distress, thus improving one’s overall mental health. As is the case with most forms of exercise, walking is already beneficial to human health. However, research suggests that when we walk out into nature positive effects are maximized. Exposure to nature is associated with diverse health benefits that include, for instance, the reduction of allergic and respiratory diseases. Over Millions of Years, Humanity Became Attuned to Nature’s Presence But why is it so different to take walks in nature? Yoshifumi Miyazaki who helped pioneer the field of shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” claims that for over seven million years of human history, people have spent 99.99% of their time in nature. From Miyazaki’s perspective, we, as a species, are significantly more used to being in nature than in urban settings, hence why we feel better in nature: it is our “natural” environment. Over a period of seven million years, he proposes, our genes have developed to live better in natural settings. Professor Miyazaki’s hypothesis is joined by many theories that elucidate the relationship between nature and human health. Attention Restoration Theory, for example, holds that getting in touch with nature helps us recover our concentration through effortless attention: we tend to pay attention to environmental stimuli effortlessly in nature, such as sunlight between leaves, the sounds of streams, the smell of mud and so on. Nature Calms Anxiety and Stress In 1991, Roger Ulrich and other researchers developed Stress Reduction Theory, which claims that looking at nature reduces human stress, augments physiological functions such as heart rate and blood pressure, and creates positive emotions. Similarly, more recent studies found that spending time in nature improves our immune system and helps us regulate our emotions by stimulating our “Soothing System”. Being in nature helps us feel safe and content via the parasympathetic system, instead of triggering fear or arousal via the sympathetic system. Modern science has noted the diverse effects of getting in touch with nature. My recent meta-analysis, which evaluated nature’s effect on the reduction of negative mental health outcomes, identified that anxiety was the symptom reduced the most, followed by depression and anger. Various types of natural settings can impact mental health differently, with urban woodlands having more positive effects than urban grasslands. Nature walks can help soothe the anxiety that results from temporary stress, but do they also help long-term anxiety? A 2018 study by Song et. al., reported that participants who display high trait (long-term) anxiety demonstrated a greater reduction in depression after walking in nature. Though this result indicates some relevance of nature walks to ease trait anxiety, longitudinal evaluation—observing changes in individuals over time—is necessary to assess how nature impacts mental health traits. How various types of natural settings impact our mental health differently needs to be understood, as well. Maes et al. reported, for instance, that urban woodlands had a more positive impact on mental health than did urban grasslands. Woodlands, after all, surround individuals with nature, whereas grasslands do not. Woodlands are more likely to enable effortless attention. Their findings align with Attention Restoration Theory—wherein nature improves our ability to focus or direct our attention. Being in Nature Triggers Unique Feelings of Awe In one study, Piff et al. evaluated a sense of awe—a reaction to a greater object—that enables a visitor to nature to transcend their frame of reference. Awe is an effect associated with various pro-social behaviors, such as generosity and compassion. According to their research, looking up at a tall tree was associated with a sense of awe, whereas looking up at a building of the same height was not. Their findings suggest that there is a special power in nature for enhancing our mental health. Knowledge gained from nature research can inform professionals in a variety of sectors including urban planners and mental health professionals. Urban planners can design a city with better access to nature and walk pathways. For example, Nagoya, the fourth most populous city in Japan with 2.3 million residents, maintains the presence of nature relatively well. There are green-rich parks and areas in the city that allow visitors and employees who work there to have a nature walk. Likewise, in Tokyo, where 13.9 million people live, awareness of nature—and its emphasis in urban policy—are both increasing. Meguro Sky Garden is a good example of this trend: a rooftop garden with more than 100 trees, offering a paramount view of Tokyo and beyond. Mental health professionals can actively use nature to help their clients. The degree of the patient’s belief in nature may impact the effects of professional help, but nature can be one good source of recovery. As research findings in this area of mental health continue to increase, their applications will also need to be encouraged and refined. Harmonizing with Nature is a Personal Journey As a professor and researcher of mental health, my advice for those who wish to heal their mental health with nature-treatment techniques is to find your own way to harmonize with nature. In Japan, the process of learning is often described as shu-ha-ri: “Shu” means “to protect,” therefore, to learn, you first follow the fundamentals principles. “Ha” means “to break,” so next you break the basics to fit yourself. “Ri” means “to leave,” so, finally, to take ownership of what you learn, you leave the doctrine to create your own. Nature-treatment methods, including nature walks, can follow this path of mastery. Ultimately each person wants to feel good through their interactions with nature, so a sense of fun, curiosity, and harmony is essential. Try to learn the basics and conduct research, then practice what you learn. As you do so more and more, adjust the practices to your mental health. That will lead you to your own way of healing yourself with nature. *Yasuhiro Kotera, Ph.D. is currently the Academic Lead in Counselling, Psychotherapy, and Psychology at the University of Derby in the United Kingdom. As an Accredited Psychotherapist, he has been working with clients internationally, offering psychological support. As a researcher, he has more than 100 peer-review articles and several books published regarding mental health and cross-culture. One area of focus in his research and practice relates to nature-based interventions to reduce negative mental health symptoms. He is moving to the University of Nottingham as Associate Professor in Mental Health, where he will further explore mental health recovery and cultures.

By Yasuhiro Kotera* Shinto, an ancient, indigenous Japanese religion with an inherent reverence for nature, is attracting new interest among scholars and environmentalists. As the world grasps for values and practices that can lead to sustainability and forest renewal, the cultivation of Chinju no mori, or the sacred forests that surround Shinto shrines, is particularly appealing. Shinto: A Deep Connection Between Humans and Nature The Shinto environmentalist paradigm explains the connection between the Shinto religion and the environment, emphasizing the ways in which Shinto shrines and rituals harmonize with nature. Shinto environmentalists stress the importance of the “life-knowledge” that is acquired through this intrinsic connection between humans and the natural world. Elements of Shinto behavior are embedded in Japanese culture. For example, many Japanese visit a Shinto shrine on New Year’s Day to wish for luck in the new year, a practice called Hatsu moude. High school students visit a shrine before their college entrance exams to wish for success. Other shrine visitors may include a couple wanting to have a baby, a single person hoping to find love, or a professional sports team wishing for success in the upcoming season. Shinto environmentalist behaviors are also embedded in the culture. In kindergartens, children are educated to treat nature kindly because its many inhabitants and forms are endowed with life. On New Year’s Day, many Japanese stay awake to see and pray in the direction of the first sunrise, a practice called Hatsu hinode, because the agricultural kami, or divine spirit or god, is believed to visit our world on January 1st. By seeing the sunrise on that day and praying for good luck for the year, some people believe that the agricultural kami may receive their prayers. They treat nature with kindness because they believe that kamis may be watching them. They expect that their kindness towards nature and the divinity within nature will be reciprocated in the form of good weather or family well-being. These behaviors and beliefs may seem strange to people from other countries, but an understanding of Japan’s sensitivity to its many natural disasters may help to explain this aspect of Japanese life. As it has for millennia, the country watches daily for earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods. Faced with natural disasters over which they have no control, some Japanese people are able to (or try to) maintain tranquility by believing in a link between spirituality and nature. Chinju No Mori Impacts Conservation Efforts The term Chinju no mori refers to trees grown around a shrine as if to protect the shrine and its sanctity. Some trees in Chinju no mori are called Goshinboku (Tree of God), or trees thought to bridge our world and the spiritual world. These enduring concepts reveal how ancient Japanese people viewed nature, relating it to Shintoism. Today, the English word “ecology” is often used when discussing nature. In Japanese literature, this word was first introduced by Kumagusu Minakata in 1911, referring to the interconnectivity of lives: the lives of humans and animals and the lives of forests and nature. Minakata claimed that our lives are connected with the lives of Chinju no mori; hence, we must treat the forest kindly. During Minakata’s time, the Japanese government launched a policy to reduce the number of shrines in the country to reduce associated costs. About 70,000 shrines were demolished, reducing the number of shrines from 200,000 to 130,000. Minakata understood the threats from logging and development that would follow this policy and penned two persuasive pamphlets on the subject. Eventually, his claim and initiatives stopped the policy by convincing the people and the government that a reduction of shrines and Chinju no mori may yield needed cash, but, in the long run, the country would lose far greater benefits, such as nature’s ability to purify our mind and inspire gratitude. Though forested land has been decreasing on a global level, more forests are grown in Japan than are being cut down. The presence of Chinju no mori in Japan has significantly contributed to conservation efforts there. For example, Okami Shrine in Osaka has twenty kinds of ferns and fifteen kinds of shells, which is remarkable for a shrine in a city with a population of nearly 20 million people. Chinju no mori can also be used for biodiversity education.[1] Efforts to protect the spirituality of Chinju no mori has led to conservation efforts that protect the diverse nature surrounding the shrines. Disaster Leads to the Chinju No Mori Project In 2011, the Great Sendai tsunami and earthquake hit the Tohoku region, killing more than 20,000 people. It was the worst natural disaster in Japan since World War II. However, the Amaterasu Mioya Shrine in Iwate prefecture survived the disaster relatively intact. The shrine was well protected by the natural environment surrounding it. This and other displays of the protective power of nature touched many people’s hearts; thus efforts to build natural barriers to protect the devastated region began, eventually leading to the Chinju No Mori Project that was launched about five years ago. In the Chinju No Mori Project, a team analyzes a Chinju no mori, identifies what kinds of trees grow there, and decides how many should be planted to support the forest. If a type of tree is poorly suited to the environment, it does not grow well and is more easily uprooted by strong natural forces, posing increased risks to people. But trees that are well-suited to the environment grow well, spreading their roots widely and deeply. Based on that information, volunteers can plant the suggested trees. The selection of trees suited to a particular environment is in accord with Shinto environmentalist beliefs. Moreover, trees chosen for a deeply meaningful purpose, such as that of the Chinju No Mori Project, should be accorded proper treatment. Planting new trees may appear to be always good for the environment, but, according to Shinto beliefs, doing so imprudently can also cause harm to nature. Knowing the environment and selecting the right kinds of trees for planting can protect sacred green spaces. One’s Relationship with Nature Japanese academics and students often spend years studying the environment in classes and workshops; however, being taught as a child that nature has a life within its inhabitants is deeply impactful. Developing a strong, lifelong compassion for nature, as one would for a good friend, can lead to new insights about how to care for nature. Indeed, understanding one’s relationship with nature may be a beneficial step in actualizing one’s desires to improve the environment. *Yasuhiro Kotera, Ph.D. is currently the Academic Lead in Counselling, Psychotherapy, and Psychology at the University of Derby in the United Kingdom. As an Accredited Psychotherapist, he has been working with clients internationally, offering psychological support. As a researcher, he has more than 100 peer-review articles and several books published regarding mental health and cross-culture. One area of focus in his research and practice relates to nature-based interventions to reduce negative mental health symptoms. He is moving to the University of Nottingham as Associate Professor in Mental Health, where he will further explore mental health recovery and cultures. Reference: [1] Murakami, K. (2014). Biodiversity education practices utilizing the sacred forest of shrines as "familiar nature.'' ESD Seminar at Nagoya Sangyo University.

By Yasuhiro Kotera* Modern times have led to modern problems, such as the proper disposal of the massive amounts of commercial and household waste that accompanies prosperity. A “zero-waste” movement has arisen to revive practices that were once used by generations of humanity: reuse, recycle, and repurpose almost everything for as long as possible. In Japan, the town of Kamikatsu on the island of Shikoku has taken the lead in pursuing the goal of zero waste, which means very little household waste—less than 20%—goes to a landfill or is incinerated. The bulk of unwanted items from the town’s 1,500 people are now repurposed in some way; the town has been so successful that people now come to visit to learn about its zero-waste practices. More Prosperity, More Waste The Japanese economy developed rapidly from 1955 to 1972 through what is often described as "mass production, mass consumption, and mass disposal.” As part of this period of strong economic growth, the amount of waste the nation generated also continued to increase, as did the acreage taken up by landfills. Today, Japan’s 1,661 landfills are inexorably filling up, and if Japan’s businesses and homes continue to generate forty million tons of general waste a year, these landfills will be filled to capacity around 2038, according to Nippon.com, using data from Japan’s Ministry of the Environment’s Survey on Disposal of General Waste. Incineration cannot solve the waste problem because it produces mountains of ash that must be deposited in a landfill. Moreover, packaging waste—which accounts for 60% of general waste by volume and 20% by weight in Japan—carries its own problems for disposal. Packaging waste includes plastics, films, and other durable materials used to encase products, single-serve foods, or family-size foods, like PET containers for water, juice, and soft drinks. Most of this packaging waste ends up in landfills because when plastics are burned, they release gases and other hazardous emissions. Taking Legislative Action In 1995, the Japanese government enacted the Containers and Packaging Recycling Act (CPR) to guide people on how to handle waste generated from households. This system was partially enforced in 1997, fully enforced in 2000, and updated in 2006. The Containers and Packaging Recycling Act, officially “the Law for Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging,” aims to recycle product containers and packaging discarded from households. Recyclable items include glass bottles, PET bottles, paper boxes, film bags for snacks, and plastic bags. Previously, municipalities were solely responsible for the entire procedure; however, the CPR sets out the roles for various parties: Consumers are responsible for sorting waste according to the rules set by the municipality. This will result in good quality waste that is easy to recycle and can be reused as a resource. Additionally, consumers are also expected to try to reduce waste by bringing their own bags (not using extra plastic bags), choosing products with simpler packaging, and actively using returnable containers. Municipalities are to collect sorted waste from households and deliver it to recycling businesses. In addition, municipalities promote thorough sorting and reduction of waste in the community. Businesses are responsible for recycling the containers and packaging they use, manufacture, or import in their business. In practice, they can outsource this to a designated company under the CPR. In addition to recycling, businesses must also make an effort to reduce waste containers and packaging by, for example, making containers and packaging thinner and lighter, selling them by weight, and charging for plastic bags. Only about 20% of municipalities were engaged in the sorting of PET bottles in 1997, but by 2006, almost all municipalities were doing it once additional laws for the CPR were implemented. Other enacted laws include the Home Appliance Recycling Act (1998), Food Recycling Act (2000), Construction Recycling Act (2000), Automobile Recycling Act (2002), and Small Home Appliance Recycling Act (2012). These laws spell out producer and consumer responsibilities for proper recycling of products. The results of these new initiatives have been promising. More municipalities are participating, and the amount of sorted waste that is collected is increasing. For example, only about 20% of municipalities were engaged in the sorting of PET bottles in 1997, but by 2006, almost all municipalities were doing it. Moreover, these laws have increased people’s awareness of recycling. In 1995, only about 10% of households recycled their waste. Ten years later, this rate almost doubled, to 19%, and by 2012, it was almost 21%, according to Waste Atlas. Correspondingly, the final disposal of general waste collections from households has dropped from approximately thirteen million tons in 1996, to seven million tons in 2005, and 4.6 million tons in 2012, according to the Ministry of Environment’s 2014 publication, “History and Current State of Waste Management in Japan.” Kamikatsu as a Model Town Kamikatsu is located on the southwest island of Shikoku in the prefecture of Tokushima. Kamikatsu’s population does not reach 1,500, and more than half of residents are 65 years old or older. About 90% of the land is either mountains or forests. These figures may make Kamikatsu sound like a quiet, countryside town, but it has become quite well known among Japanese people—and others in the world who are interested in “zero-waste” practices. Before the emergence of the zero-waste movement, Kamikatsu was known for its “happa,” or leaf, business. Japanese cuisine often uses seasonal leaves, called “tsuma,” as garnishes or decorative elements. For example, on a sashimi plate, leaves are placed between the slices of raw fish. These leaves not only beautify the dish, but they also keep the food fresh (e.g., separating different types of fish). Many elderly Kamikatsu residents are involved in this business to grow and collect seasonal leaves. They found “ikigai” (meaning in life) in their work, and it is believed that having purpose in life improves their health. In 2003, the Kamikatsu municipality issued a bold declaration—that they would achieve “zero waste” by 2020. The purpose of this declaration was to pass clean air, water, and land on to children. The declaration highlighted three key items: (1) educating people about how to keep the Earth clean, (2) doing our best not to need incineration and landfill disposal by recycling waste, and (3) networking with peers who engage in environmental conservation around the world. What stood out in this declaration was that people were placed at the center of this movement. The Japanese words used in the first point do not readily translate to English, but “hito zukuri” means “creation of people” [who do not make the earth unclean]. While government policies focus on tangible, often external issues (e.g., new resources provided, behaviors required), Kamikatsu’s declaration focused on people’s mindset and behavior, hence their culture. Since Kamikatsu already had deep, nature-friendly attitudes, the 2003 zero-waste declaration was well-received and converted into action with relative smoothness. Lessons to Learn Kamikatsu, which was recycling 81% of its refuse in 2016, according to Nippon.com, has been an inspiration to many other communities in Japan and beyond. The “big things” that Kamikatsu has been doing do not rely on big things: Their great achievements are the result of many people’s relatively small but consistent efforts. For instance, in the 1990s, when the town confirmed that raw food waste was a large part (almost a third) of its waste stream, leaders collaborated on a recycling plan to help residents efficiently compost it. The town decided to offer financial assistance for its residents to purchase in-home processors; today, almost all of Kamikatsu’s raw food is composted locally. With the passage of CPR, the town worked to respond, finding businesses to recycle various materials, and setting up recycling programs for metal, plastics, paper, glass, rubber and many more items. Today, the residents sort household waste into thirteen major categories and then forty-five subcategories. Some materials, like paper and metal, can be sold, which helps defray Kamikatsu’s costs for landfill or incineration disposal for the things it cannot recycle, such as used diapers and feminine products. Other items that are used but still have value in homes or businesses are made available—people can drop off usable items and take other items as they like. In this way, Kamikatsu says it has managed to recycle more than 80% of its refuse, according to the Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center. Changing the Culture The enormous scale of environmental issues may be overwhelming. Sustainable and effective changes may not happen if people’s hearts are not moved to implement them, so changes in policy that do not alter people’s opinions may not be enough. But the example of the Kamikatsu people may prove otherwise. Recognizing that education and networking are important to create a positive attitude and culture around recycling, Kamikatsu leaders sought to implement it in their policies. First of all, the “mottainai” spirit is clearly relevant to their recycling and waste management. The word, “mottainai,” (roughly translated as “wasteful”) started to receive global attention since it was used by Wangari Muta Maathai, a Kenyan environmental activist who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. “Mottainai” is used to describe something that has not performed its full value. Its simplest meaning is "What a waste!" and it has undertones of regret or guilt or sorrow. For example, throwing away a strawberry after taking a small bite on the top may be called “mottainai.” The word can also be applied to people. For example, an athlete with great potential who is performing at a mediocre level can also be described as “mottainai.” Another cultural virtue is the idea that “a small step taken consistently by many for a prolonged time can create a significant impact,” also known as “many a little makes a mickle (a lot).” Indeed, this proverb is used in many cultures. But it is particularly strong in Japanese culture—especially among its thrifty and resourceful elderly—and, paired with the spirit of “mottainai” and appreciating the value of little things, Japan’s towns are well-suited to successful recycling and waste management in Japan. *Yasuhiro Kotera, Ph.D. is Associate Professor for Mental Health at the University of Nottingham and Accredited Psychotherapist for the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy. He explores mental health recovery and cultures, focusing on compassion.

By Yasmin Prabhudas* Electric, gas, solar, wind—the world cannot function without energy. However, the rampant pollution and lack of equity that mark today’s energy reality demand urgent answers. Changemakers come from all walks of life. Today we have a chance to see how young leaders are coming together to push for energy solutions that can provide a better future for all. A Vision to Revolutionize Energy Leadership Student Energy is a global movement of 50,000 young people across 120 countries with more than forty student-led chapters at post-secondary institutions. “Student Energy envisions an energy system that serves the world’s needs in a way that is economically, socially, and environmentally equitable. We operate on a unique youth empowerment model, which means that our initiatives are co-created with young people, for young people,” says Shakti Ramkumar, Student Energy’s director of communications and policy. How did this remarkable organization come into existence? The Founding of a Movement In 2008, three students, Janice Tran, Kali Taylor, and Sean Collins, envisioned a single international student conference to bring together students from all disciplines to learn from industry experts—as well as from each other—about energy technologies, energy systems, and holistic solutions. In 2009, this first international energy conference, where 350 students and experts convened in Calgary, was meant to be the end of their efforts. However, the response from attendees was overwhelming, with many demanding to know when the next conference was being held, whether they could attend, and even if they could help to plan it. With such a positive response, the founders knew they needed to build on this groundwork. After a second international summit was held, Student Energy was established as a nonprofit in 2011 to address the needs of students from around the world more effectively. Co-founder Collins remarks, “We began to think about what else the organization can do to support young energy leaders as they think about how they’ll engage in the energy transition.” Through a series of consultations with their global network, the organizers identified the needs of students and developed programs to meet them. To address a lack of educational resources, Student Energy created its energy systems map as a key educational tool for students to learn about energy and technology. Next, to build robust local networks to target localized energy issues, the organization established its chapters program. Meanwhile, the Space for Youth program works directly with governments, other organizations, and companies to provide young people with opportunities to interact directly on energy issues and boost their influence on decision-making and planning. “If we continue to listen to the problems and challenges of our youth audience and respond to those with articulate and intelligent programming, we can achieve some pretty significant success as an organization and as a movement,” Collins explains. However, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. COVID-19 Brings New Challenges and Opportunities The COVID-19 crisis has exposed vulnerabilities in global economies and social safety nets. Those hit the hardest have been people experiencing poverty and marginalization, including young people. Ramkumar states that disruptions in education, internships, and other opportunities have led to a rising demand for accessible education and job training programs. “Although we have always prioritized virtual learning due to the global nature of our work, the last year has made us realize that this will become a growing priority over the coming years,” she says. Students need support through education, training, and mentorship opportunities to overcome barriers to future success and development in their energy careers. Another difficulty is that young people who want to work on climate solutions, often do not have access to resources and means to develop know-how. Student Energy’s most ambitious project yet hopes to tackle this problem—the Student Energy Solutions Movement will mobilize $150 million to fund 10,000 youth-led clean energy projects around the world by 2030. The initiative will back action led by young people not just through project funding, but also through education, training, and mentorship programs. But students can’t do it alone. Education providers have a role to play in motivating students and guiding them towards the best resources available, including Student Energy initiatives. “We would like to see education systems creating more opportunities, programs and internships like these to help young people around the world to access the skills and training needed to kickstart their careers in energy,” claims Ramkumar. Initiatives Create Local Innovations So far Student Energy has spurred numerous grassroots initiatives through leadership fellowship programs around the world. The GridLight program across Australia, Germany, Spain, and the UK, for example, encouraged electricity consumers to reduce their carbon footprint through a traffic color-coded lamp, placed in people’s homes. When the green light is on, the grid is less carbon-intensive than when it is yellow or red. In Turkey, a team of students at the Middle East Technical University developed a solar-powered electric scooter charging station to provide students with an environmentally friendly transport option. And children and adolescents in Bolivia participated in educational workshops about climate change and energy, so that they could be part of action against environmental degradation. Alumni Tell Their Stories For Tianna Philippot from Canada, getting involved with Student Energy changed her life. She was introduced to the organization while working in a renewable energy research role. She explains, “I realized my passion for clean energy and saw Student Energy as an opportunity to develop my knowledge to continue building a career within the industry.” As the North American regional coordinator for the Global Youth Energy Outlook research program, she connected with young people in the region to ensure they had the opportunity to voice their opinions on energy issues. The information gathered will be presented at the upcoming United Nations climate change conference COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland. While Student Energy chapter president at the University of Manitoba, Philippot worked on a range of projects. Feasibility studies for Experimental Lakes Area’s research facilities in Ontario, Canada, looked into transitioning from diesel generators to solar energy and efficiency retrofits. Students attended a workshop where they learned to use AutoCAD software to draft mechanical drawings to support the transition. Philippot was also involved in a video project that highlighted how energy is distributed on the university campus, focusing on Migizii Agamik (Bald Eagle Lodge), the Indigenous student cultural center, a net-zero carbon building. In addition, her research into hot water solar collectors to heat greenhouses is benefiting northern communities in Manitoba that use the greenhouses as heat growth chambers. “Student Energy has given me confidence, connections, and experience that has allowed me to enter the workforce determined to foster just and sustainable engineering strategies,” states Philippot. Philippot is now a researcher at the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. Chibunna Ogbonna from Abia State in Nigeria studied chemical engineering at the Federal University of Technology Owerri, although his informal studies focused on renewable energy. During the first youth forum at the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi, senior director of global partnerships at Student Energy, Helen Watts, prompted Ogbonna to apply to participate in the Global Youth Energy Outlook program. In February 2020, he became the regional coordinator for sub-Saharan Africa. While Ogbonna’s work in sustainability precedes his involvement with Student Energy—he co-founded a clean energy company in 2017—his commitment grew during his time as regional coordinator. He explains, “During COVID-19, when we were all in lockdown in Nigeria, we conceived an idea to start a social impact project focused on powering healthcare facilities in Nigeria because in Africa only about 28% of healthcare facilities in sub-Saharan Africa have access to reliable electricity. A lot of facilities are based in remote areas. A lot of issues are connected to not having sustainable electricity—people could not access vaccines or basic medical care because there was no power in their healthcare facilities.” In October 2020, the Lighting Up Nigeria Initiative was launched. The project didn’t just involve installing solar panels and storage batteries in community healthcare facilities but also renovating dilapidated buildings. “Working hand in hand with community leaders, we paid for materials and labor. The whole community got involved,” says Ogbonna, who hopes to find partners to join the project. He believes Student Energy has led him to a policy role. He declares, “In my role as regional coordinator, it seems that I have a voice, especially in representing my region, so I’m thinking I will take a master’s in policy development. In the future, I could be sitting on a panel of clean energy industry leaders. I discovered that policies make things work.” Ogbonna is currently participating in a sustainability program at the International Sustainability Academy in Hamburg, Germany. *Yasmin Prabhudas is a freelance journalist working mainly for nonprofit organizations, trade unions, the education sector, and government agencies.

By Yasmin Prabhudas* Valerie Akuredusenge is on a mission—to connect children with their environment and build the next generation of conservationists to help save the critically endangered mountain gorilla of Rwanda and protect other wildlife at risk. Born in the northern province of Rwanda, Akuredusenge began her career as a tour guide for an ecotourism operator, taking tourists to see central Africa’s stunning wildlife. She shares, “When I started guiding multiple tours in my local community, I had the experience and the chance to connect with nature and the local community. I discovered how beautiful nature and my neighborhood was. I found out that nature is very important for humans.” She continued, “We as humans depend on nature, so, without nature, life could stop. But, nature depends less on humans. Humans need to care for nature, otherwise, there won’t be any life for humankind.” Her tour guide experiences inspired Akuredusenge to enter the field of nature preservation, and, in 2006, she became involved with Art of Conservation, a nonprofit organization that develops wildlife protection initiatives. There she worked on educational programs for primary school students. Her career has also included creating and delivering presentations on conservation to a global audience. Programs Inspire Students to Care about Endangered Gorillas It was not until 2013 that Akuredusenge was able to take her love of nature to the next level by becoming the program director of Conservation Heritage – Turambe (CHT), a nonprofit in the Musanze district of the Northern Province of Rwanda, where she has remained ever since. Sustained mainly through financial support from the Houston Zoo and the Papoose Conservation Wildlife Foundation, both located in the US, CHT also receives small grants and donations. Funds are also raised through the sale of papier mâché animal masks, made by a collaborating artist. “Turambe,” in the Kinyarwanda language, means “let’s be sustainable.” As program director, Akuredusenge creates educational curriculums and delivers conservation classes to primary students in partnership with schools in and around Volcanoes National Park, home to central Africa’s endangered mountain gorilla. She concentrates on the children’s surrounding environment, encouraging them to think about how they can make an impact right at their doorstep. She says, “Children are really very amazing. I was excited about how they were seeing nature and their local neighborhood and how they were expressing how they see nature and their future. I believe children are able to change the future. They are the main channel—they can easily deliver the message to a wider audience. Teaching children is teaching the entire community.” Inspired Children Multiply Environmental Initiatives Throughout Communities Another key feature of Akuredusenge’s work is to raise children’s awareness by teaching them about gorillas’ behavior and diet, as well as their relationship with humans, outlining what steps the students can take to keep them safe. The children are able to bond with nature through field trips to see the golden monkeys and mountain gorillas in their natural environment. Although COVID-19 has disrupted the schedule of visits, Akuredusenge hopes to take a group of twenty to the Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda in October 2021. There are other activities too. Students participate in local community initiatives designed to protect wildlife, including planting bamboo trees close to the national park. Akuredusenge declares: “We encourage them to do similar activities at home. We have recorded over 500 initiatives started by children at their home, including planting trees and creating gardens. This shows us that they are making an impact on their community.” Parents and local communities are supportive of her work. They are involved through “Parents and Partners Open House” sessions, where people are invited to celebrate the projects’ achievements and where feedback is sought. Akuredusenge says, “Some parents come to us and say, ‘my child has improved.’ Before our ‘Staying Healthy’ lessons, children were not washing their hands, their body, or their teeth. They tell us they appreciate the work we do with their children. They tell us they are eating the fruit from the trees planted by their child.” COVID-19 Creates Budget Challenges That Hinder Action However, CHT is facing obstacles along the way: the main one is having to work on a tight budget. This means that they cannot fulfill the numerous requests for program work that they receive from many of the 100-plus schools surrounding the national park. Currently, CHT is working on only five such programs. The COVID-19 pandemic has added to existing funding difficulties. The organization’s budget was cut in half compared to pre-pandemic levels, a member of the staff had to be laid off, and in-person activities could no longer take place. Undeterred by these challenges, programs were delivered remotely. Teachers from partner schools were given smart phones so they could coordinate students’ activities at home. During the first half of 2020, the children were able to create kitchen gardens, collect plastic bottles and bags, plant trees, and even build houses out of the plastic waste they had collected. A Vision of Harmony Between Humankind and Nature So what’s next for Akuredusenge? Her hopes for the future are focused on ensuring that the local community is in tune with nature and the wildlife population stays healthy. She says, “I want to see the local livelihood of community members improving by trying to meet their basic needs, so they don’t need to enter gorilla habitats. And we will keep on trying our best to connect them, especially children, with nature by organizing guided field trips. I want to see humans and gorilla populations living side by side in harmony.” *Yasmin Prabhudas is a freelance journalist working mainly for nonprofit organizations, trade unions, the education sector, and government agencies.

By Yasmin Prabhudas* Kupu means “to sprout or grow” in Hawaiian. It’s also the name of a nonprofit based in Honolulu, Hawaii, helping young people to grow into torch bearers for the environment by instilling in them aloha ʻāina or “love of the land.” Starting out in 2007, Kupu’s founding principle was to empower future generations to create a more sustainable Hawaii. It was established by John Leong, the organization’s chief executive officer, in response to a growing need to train local young people in natural resource management. Building on the AmeriCorps model, which provides people power and funding to community projects across the US, Leong and his team developed an extensive partnership network of projects working to support the local environment and to provide energetic young volunteers with funded placements. Kupu’s efforts have been rewarded: it won the accolade of charity of the year when it received a 2021 Better Business Bureau Torch Award. Leong explains, “Since 2007, Kupu has grown from a startup nonprofit to where we are today, as Hawaii's largest youth-focused conservation nonprofit. We have been able to grow by focusing on strategies that uplift everyone involved, from the young people we serve to the partners we place them with. Because everyone ends up better off than if they had not partnered with Kupu, we are able to grow in a sustainable way.” Making an Impact on the Community Kupu’s record is impressive. It has trained more than 5000 young people, providing them with opportunities that can lead to professions in sustainability. Its impact on the community has also been significant—over 151,000 acres of land have been cleared of invasive species and more than 1.5 million native plants have been planted. What’s more, 87% of the Kupu alumni surveyed were working in or towards a career in the environmental field within one year of completing their time with the organization. Kupu has achieved this success by offering a range of opportunities. Its Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps (HYCC) programs give young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 the chance to learn about conservation in a team setting. Volunteers join a variety of organizations for two to four months, during which they participate in outdoor restoration efforts. The scheme helps young people looking for mentorship support to complete their secondary education and those who want to earn a college credit or receive education awards for their efforts. Meanwhile, individuals who want to gain in-depth professional development experience in the green economy are placed with a single organization, usually for up to one year. This enables them to develop a deeper insight into their project or research. The program is for college students and young professionals with previous work experience, academic studies, or a strong interest in natural or cultural resource management, sustainability, or environmental education. Fostering Committed Volunteers Young people return to the organization year after year. So how does Kupu foster such a loyal band of volunteers? The answer lies in its key benefits. Leong states, “Because most of the service opportunities we offer either provide compensation or are part of a pathway to a career in a green job, the people we work with already know what they are getting back and getting to be a part of.” These benefits are exactly what inspired Ryan Ueunten to take part in Kupu’s projects. He first signed up in 2015, while he was a student at the University of Hawaii after a friend told him Kupu would provide him with “a good foot in the door into the conservation world.” He decided to enroll in the HYCC program, which saw him lead a team of young adults in a variety of tasks from harvesting the root vegetable kalo (also known as taro) and pulling weeds to removing invasive species in the mountains and fixing fences. A year later, Ueunten was back participating in Kupu’s conservation leadership development program. He was placed with the Natural Area Reserves Systems, run by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, part of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife. During that time, he managed native ecosystems, protecting rare plant and animal species. Learning from Hands-on Experience “When I first joined Kupu, I was also an undergraduate at the university studying global environmental science. I was learning about all these things through my teachers or through textbooks or PowerPoint presentations or videos. But you don't really see everything through a video or people talking. When you actually get the chance to be in these places and be on the land with professionals doing this job every day and talking with them and learning from them—that's a whole world that you get to learn about.” He adds, “The connections with other people in the conservation world here in Hawaii were huge. Many of the people I met through Kupu, I still talk to today.” Ueunten, who went on to gain a master’s degree in natural resources and environmental management, now works with Kauluakalana, a community-based nonprofit that tries to connect people to 'āina (the land).' The Joy of Passing on Knowledge Karlee Eugenio, an environmental science graduate, is another of Kupu’s volunteers. Her placement was with Mālama Learning Center (MLC), a nonprofit that promotes sustainability. According to her spotlight profile, Eugenio’s tasks are varied. She does everything from working in a nursery and teaching school groups about plants to carrying out restoration on the organization’s sites. She enjoys working with young people in Hawaii. She says, “I love being able to share what I know and teaching them about our unique ecosystems. I also enjoy collaborating with educators in our Wai Huihia workshops that we host.” During the workshops, Eugenio works with community educators, who integrate conservation work and traditional ecological knowledge into their teaching. She continues, “Learning alongside these educators to see how we can improve our approach to educating and impacting the hearts of youth is something that I honestly love about what I do in this position. I always knew I wanted to be a part of something that is much larger than myself, and the realms of both education and conservation were the ones that called my name.” Listening to the Community is a Key to Success “There is so much innovation happening right now, and I would hesitate to say what others have to learn from us. In terms of what has helped us, I would encourage others to be humble enough to listen and brave enough to take risks. Learning from others and taking chances are two things that have helped us get where we are today, and hopefully it will position us to continue to serve Hawai’i and our world for a long time,” states Leong. Has Kupu learned any lessons along the way? Leong sums up his approach: “We have learned that, if we focus on understanding the people we serve and work with and determine how we can help them, success will follow.” *Yasmin Prabhudas is a freelance journalist working mainly for nonprofit organizations, labor unions, the education sector, and government agencies.

By Yasmin Prabhudas* In the foothills of the Himalayas, something extraordinary is happening. Local communities are stepping up their efforts to deal with the devastating effects of ever-increasing amounts of garbage created by tourism and changing consumer habits. One organization playing a key role in helping to deliver that change is Waste Warriors. Headquartered in the city of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Waste Warriors is about 160 miles north of New Delhi, India’s capital. It operates locally in Dehradun and has bases in Rishikesh and close to the Corbett Tiger Reserve, as well as in Dharamshala in the neighboring state of Himachal Pradesh. All these locations share the magnificent backdrop of the Himalayas mountain range, one of the world’s biggest tourist attractions. From Mountain Cleaning to Urban Waste Collecting The nonprofit’s founder Jodie Underhill recognized tourism’s undesirable effect on the region in 2008 when she was traveling around India as a tourist. Her concerns about trash blighting India’s mountain areas increased, and a year later she established the first incarnation of Waste Warriors—Mountain Cleaners—which set out to clean up the remote mountain camp of Triund, in Himachal Pradesh. The project grew to include the area around the Gaddi temple Guna Mata in the Dhauladar mountains and Bhagsunag Waterfall. In 2011, Tashi Pareek joined Underhill as co-founder, allowing the project to expand further afield, and in 2012, Waste Warriors was formed in Dehradun. This would be the duo’s first urban project with one very simple goal—“to fight the war against filth.” Chirag Mahajan, Waste Warriors’ senior manager of strategic partnerships and communications, explains why the nonprofit’s work is so crucial: "As tourist-heavy states, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have seen about 400 million tourists over the last ten years. The World Bank and NITI Aayog have respectively reported the annual waste generation of the entire region to be between five million and eight million metric tons per year. Given the lack of solid waste management procedures and implementation here, most of that is being dumped and burned. Almost upwards of 60% of that is being dumped openly, and these are not scientific landfills. These are very informal dumping sites." India’s waste problems go beyond tourism: the nation’s consumption behaviors have changed too. “We’re transitioning as an economy over the last thirty to forty years, but that transition at a consumer level is also resulting in a lot of plastic consumption,” Mahajan says. This means consumer waste has changed from mostly materials that could be recycled, such as glass and metal, to materials that are not easily recycled—mixed plastics and foam packaging, for instance—and have little value in the recycling market. Another key challenge is the lack of government “convergence and enforcement,” Mahajan says. The numerous departments, strategies, and missions do not work together when it comes to implementation; departments often operate in isolation, making waste collection ineffective. “The chain is broken on multiple fronts—from segregation* at source and collection of segregated waste to recovery of segregated material and access to recycling markets,” says Mahajan. Meeting the Garbage Challenge Waste Warriors addresses these challenges head on through its team of community mobilizers who raise awareness among local communities about the importance of separating their waste, undertaking organic composting, and using trash cans. The organization also works with municipalities to build waste collection systems. “You cannot tell people to change their behavior and do source segregation without providing them with the service that will allow them to get that waste out of their house,” Mahajan emphasizes. Material recovery facilities and storage and sorting centers are also set up so that the garbage can be further sorted and processed, after which it is sent to certified waste recyclers or sold to scrap dealers. In India, people known as waste pickers play a key part in the process, and Waste Warriors goes to great lengths to ensure they and their work are recognized. “India is transitioning very slowly out of the caste system,”** Mahajan explains. “The stigma around waste management results in a lot of people from low castes being informal waste pickers and rag pickers who don’t get the recognition they deserve to be formalized and integrated into a municipal system. Waste Warriors tries to link up workers with different government schemes, which enable them to obtain ID cards, health insurance, and bank accounts.” These workers often face discrimination, but Waste Warriors’ intervention can help. Shomita Bhattacharya, senior project manager at Waste Warriors’ Rishikesh operation, explains, “When our community mobilizers interact with local communities, they go to households with the waste workers and the waste vehicles, there is a certain level of capacity building and training that’s happening for the waste workers, which over time helps them build their confidence to deliver the message. When they see it’s not just economically disadvantaged groups doing this work, it gives them that sense of pride. And then, as we reduce our level of intervention, we see them being able to carry on these conversations on their own. It’s a huge breakthrough—being able to communicate and speak out loud to households that have been treating them poorly initially.” [Watch the video: A Day in the Life of Manda, a waste worker in Dharamshala.] Persistence Leads to Funding for Women Waste Collectors Since 2013, the organization has been working on the eastern periphery of the Corbett Tiger Reserve, where a large number of hotels, tour operators, and jeep safari groups are based. The area has seen an increase from 20 to 500 hotels over the past decade, which has led to a substantial rise in the amount of trash. But convincing the forestry department to provide for waste management outside the national park has been an uphill struggle. It was not until 2021 that Waste Warriors’ persistence and positivity paid off: representatives were able to persuade those at the department to fund the waste collection efforts of a group of women in the area. The women, who received training from Waste Warriors on the basics of waste collection and waste management, are bringing on board more and more households to help manage the garbage. Model Ward Programs Reap Rewards The most remarkable results have been achieved through Waste Warriors’ model ward program. In Dehradun, for example, work with the local councilor helped transform an area of the city. The segregation of waste increased from 20% to over 90% in just one year. Citizens themselves then took over the waste management process from Waste Warriors, and the ward is now one of the cleanest in the city. Additionally, door-to-door interactions with residents have often been highly successful. “We’ve always found, especially when it comes to behavioral change, the nudge factor is really important—reminding individuals, talking about the issues with different people and trying to convince them that the act of dumping and burning waste around them is not a healthy way of living for them or for their children,” Mahajan says. Bringing the Waste Management Message to Homes Megha Goyal and Prajjwal Sharma are two of Waste Warriors’ community mobilizers. Goyal, a masters graduate from the Central University of Himachal Pradesh, joined the organization as a volunteer for two months in January 2020 and is now an employee. She works across five wards in the city of Dharamshala. She explains, “We go door-to-door and talk to residents about the benefits of waste management, their problems, and what we can do together. Then we conduct small meetings and awareness training workshops. We also have a Young Warriors Club for school children.” The focus is on citizens’ responsibilities as well as on health and hygiene. But that is not all—Goyal’s team is also involved in transforming spaces with murals to discourage littering. Meanwhile, Sharma, a private tutor and an undergraduate, has been based in Rishikesh for five months. His role involves conducting a survey to find out how residents are disposing of their trash and running an awareness program to promote waste segregation. Active citizens are designated “waste champions” and are employed to further spread the message in the community. He monitors household garbage left for waste collection vehicles and organizes events, such as workshops, community engagement activities, and conversations with residents over a cup of tea. How have communities responded to their work? Goyal says, “Behavior change is a time-consuming process. From the very first day when we started this program there was zero waste segregation, but right now we have 60% to 70% of household waste being segregated.” Sharma thinks it can be hard to mobilize everyone because “some people are self-centered.” But he encourages people to think about the greater good: “I talk to them on an individual level, telling them if they do not segregate their waste, it will directly or indirectly impact the Ganga River. If they do not segregate their waste, plastic could be eaten by cows or other animals.” This approach has paid off: Sharma notes that in one ward the waste segregation rate has gone from zero to 80%. “I feel great about what I’m doing for society and waste management,” Sharma says. “The best thing is that I’m changing someone’s habit that he or she was practicing for twenty to thirty years, and I feel great about this.” * Waste segregation is the process of separating waste into categories. ** The caste system is a social hierarchy into which people are born. Although discrimination based on caste has been outlawed in India, those born into lower castes continue to face prejudice. *Yasmin Prabhudas is a freelance journalist working mainly for nonprofit organizations, labor unions, the education sector, and government agencies.

By Yasmin Prabhudas* “Growing farmers is the key, farmers are the fabric, and that’s just the way I look at it, it’s like a quilt; we are just building a quilt of farmers. That is what we are doing.” — Cynthia Hayes In 2006, the late Cynthia Hayes joined with Dr. Owusu Bandele from the Southern University Agriculture Center to set up the Southeastern African American Farmers’ Organic Network (SAAFON). Hayes’ family had a more than eighty-year history of tobacco farming in Kentucky, and she herself had worked with local farmers in Jamaica, where she spent nine years. Organic Certification Training When she moved to Savannah, Georgia, Hayes, together with Bandele, organized organic certification training and workshops so that value could be added to African American landowners’ produce. The SAAFON network was born to support and maintain these expanding relationships. Building on an Important Legacy Today, SAAFON is led by executive director Dr. M. Jahi Chappell. He has a rich background in areas such as food security, agriculture, and conservation biology, among others. Chappell, who is building on the legacy of Cynthia Hayes, expresses his passion for working with farmers: “I’m dedicated to creating a world where we protect and enhance the dignity of the natural world and the people in it. Agriculture and food have been called the most profound way people interact with the environment—we are literally taking the natural world into our body and turning it into ourselves, as our food becomes what makes up our body.” Since its beginnings, SAAFON has focused on small successes, building a network of fifty-five core members and at least that number of prospective members. Their farmers, whose ages range from under twenty to over eighty, own 4,188 acres, with the average landholding consisting of forty-eight acres. They are based across ten US states and the US Virgin Islands—from Virginia and South Carolina to Florida and Tennessee. Adding Value to Organic Produce Products grown include flowers and vegetables. Value is added not just through organic certification but also tailoring produce for specific purposes. For example, at Abanitu Organics in North Carolina, the medicinal properties of their mushrooms are featured and flowers and herbs “multitask as bee pasture, food and habitat for beneficial insects.” Much of their produce appeals to those visiting farmers’ markets. Returning to Ancestral Roots SAAFON’s members, young and old, are united by a commitment to ancestral ways of farming passed down through the generations. They practice subsistence farming and afroecology—a theory describing how Black people in the US can reconnect with their African or Afro-indigenous agrarian past through traditional planting and harvesting techniques—keeping cultural practices alive through storytelling and passing on memories of lineages and places. Black agrarianism, outlined in SAAFON’s research document, acknowledges that people’s relationship with the land goes beyond transactional value, and that community and kinship are part of land stewardship. Economic viability, biodiversity, and ecology are equally important, and many generations need to be involved. Sharing Sustainability Training and Gullah Cuisine SAAFON member, Sará Reynolds-Green, runs non-profit Marshview Community Organic Farm on Saint Helena Island, South Carolina. Young farmers, aged ten to eighteen, tend its five acres under adult guidance. Working after school and on weekends, they plant, nurture, and harvest crops, such as corn, tomatoes, watermelon, and okra, as well as Carolina gold rice. The farm aims to equip the farmers of the future with knowledge and expertise, develop organic food sources, and promote sustainable agriculture. Traditional Gullah style cooking (see video)—a fusion of west and central African cooking techniques and ingredients from South Carolina’s coast and sea islands—is also shared with the local community through the farm’s home-cooked meals program. Moreover, Reynolds-Green raises awareness of the history of the Gullah people through original plays and performances in which the young farmers are involved. She is deeply concerned about passing on the legacy of organic farming to the younger generation, a task she describes as “challenging, and also rewarding.” Helping Farmers Grow Healthy, Culturally Appropriate Food SAAFON is creating a community land trust to obtain, preserve, and manage Black-owned agricultural land in the southeastern parts of the US. The organization’s direct support helps farmers with business planning, grants, capital loans, education, and training. Its long-term aims include setting up a database to support the right to sustainable, healthy, culturally appropriate food. Collective strategies organize farmers so they can work together and share resources and knowledge. In addition, SAAFON provides spaces for sharing and learning while promoting intergenerational exchanges. Sharing Knowledge One example of the collective way in which SAAFON works is through brigade work. In May 2021, farmers took part in the Georgia Farmer Brigade initiative. Each brigade—six to eight farmers—visited host farms to help with a variety of projects. They took on tasks like staking tomatoes, weeding garden beds, and painting buildings. Apart from taking care of farmers’ needs for help, members could also connect with one another to share information and knowledge, have conversations about growing up on a farm, and document family histories. Looking to the Future Chappell’s vision for the future: “The only way to a better system, one that honors both the Earth and all of its living things, including people, is for the production of food and agricultural products to be recognized as an honored profession, one deserving of dignity, as part of a society that makes it economically, culturally, socially, and environmentally sustainable to be a producer.” Yasmin Prabhudas is a freelance journalist working mainly for nonprofit organizations, labor unions, the education sector, and government agencies. Editorial Note Source: The Earth & I interview with Mrs. Reynolds Green.