Earth to Humans
Social and Environmental Justice as a Continuum: understanding symbiosis and creating a shared vision of hope.
Climate change has been deemed one of the greatest threats of the 21st century. Over two years ago we were faced with another. The 2019 coronavirus epidemic has been a global, ongoing trauma that has reached the far corners of the earth. Lately epidemiologist have warned of a third global pandemic, the mental health crisis that is a result of both failed environmental action and the negative wakes of COVID19.
As the the climate shifts animals and people find themselves meeting in situations they may not have before. Pandemics historically stem from this unfortunate meeting of creatures. We saw this happen in 2019. As a result the world was put on hold. Government mandates enforced social isolation as lockdown became worldwide laws. We found ourselves alone, almost as if mother nature had put us in a very long time-out. Individuals found themselves suffering from heightened levels of stress. The communities hit hardest were undeniably those that were already vulnerable previous to the onset of COVID19. Financial and job security became elusive, food security became just out of reach, and mental stability shattered. That’s why Earth to Humans was created. To help empower the worlds most vulnerable populations, marginalized communities and the earth itself.
Ecopsychology provides a shared vision of hope. There’s a symbiotic relationship that exists between the earth and humans. Earth to Humans (ETH) aims to strengthen this relationship, and allow individuals to become empowered through their connection to Earth. ETH is a non profit that leads regular day-long behavioral health events. These events focus on creating community, offering tools for self regulation and stress reduction, empowering communities by educating them about free food sources, teaching natural history, conservation, and how to prepare said food sources with loved ones. We begin with a guided hike, where participants are educated about the environment through natural history. Plant identification is a skill that, not only creates a deeper emotional and spiritual relationship between identifier and Earth, but also makes practices like foraging possible. Throughout this hike the group will get the chance to identify both edible and non-edible plants. When met with a wild edible, field guide Jon Richardson will educate on what the edible is and how to ethically forage that particular plant. There will be an emphasis on mushroom foraging and foraging invasive plant species, as these foraging practices provide the most benefit to the environment through spreading spores and helping to control non-native populations. About half way through the hike we host a 45 minute yoga class appropriate for all participants. We follow this with a guided meditation and forest bathing exercise. This is a tool that we provide to participants to help them understand how they can reduce stress, exercise, and increase mindfulness without spending money and abiding by social distancing recommendations. Once we hike back out, we bring our foraged materials to a commercial kitchen. We host a cooking lesson that incorporates the edibles collected, and additional food donated from the local food shelf. This gives us a chance to introduce families to extra resources that are available in the event that they find themselves in need. After the menu is prepared we then share a communal meal together, enjoying and celebrating the fruits of our labor.
The idea is that as people deepen their connection with the earth, they will create a stronger, more meaningful bond, and will be compelled to protect their local forests. As the forests become more protected, they are able to thrive and provide their protectors with refuge and sustenance. The symbiotic relationship evolves, and eventually extends to the wider community. People feel less isolated as they share their knowledge and experiences in nature with each other, through led hikes, education, exercise, mindfulness, and shared meals.
