Emma Johnston

Historically, marginalized and low-income communities live closer to landfills, contributing to a multitude of health problems. To reduce the landfill space needed for my lifestyle, I will not use single-use items this week (i.e. plastic straws, plastic cutlery, plastic water bottles, disposable coffee cups, and plastic bags).

I will observe local, national, and international news each day this week through a conflict resolution lens.

Using the guidelines on page 68, I will use the Oxfam “doughnut” diagram to consider how the factors in the inner circle have affected my personal well-being, or what their absence would mean for my life.

I will keep a journal of all my purchases this week and research their impact on conflicts and social justice.

I will engage in nature-based activities alone, or with my friends or family, for 30 minute(s) this week. (This can be anything from going on a walk or hike, to noticing the leaves changing color, to reading a book with nature themes.)

I will calculate my ecological footprint and talk with my family or roommates about way we can reduce our negative enviromental impact.

I will use the communication methods I read about this week to practice effective, compassionate, and nonviolent communication with someone I interact with regularly: my roommate, my parents, my co-work, my partner, my classmates, or my children.

I will make my environmental actions visible with a lawn sign or bumper sticker, or by posting to my social media networks.

I will meditate or create a moment of silence for 10 minutes this week to reflect on the systems I am a part of and my role in them.