As a part of commemorating Earth Day 2022, Windsor of Change is featuring a mini-series of short discourses from various residents of Windsor-Essex. They were prompted to think about what sustainability means to them, the role of local and global climate change in their lives, and what they would like to envision as the future of positive sustainable change in the Windsor-Essex region.
by Dane Fader & Alley Biniarz
In the words of the late Thich Nhat Hanh; only love can save us from climate change. We are firm believers that this is true.
Climate change and mental health and wellness are so deeply entwined.
As a society, we are stuck in a cycle of consumption in an attempt to heal ourselves. We think that we can ease our suffering through material objects: bigger houses, shiner cars, and more possessions, but there’s an exchange when we ask for more. Not only does this endless consumption of resources drain our planet through deforestation, soil degradation, and overall pollution, but we’ve also traded in our most precious resource: our time.
“Only love can save us from climate change.”
In pursuit of accumulation, we’ve left behind our loved ones and our homes that we work so hard for; we’ve left behind the outdoors and nature that we once felt so connected to.
So, what do we do? How do we stop the cycle and live a life that’s more connected to one another and our planet? On an individual level, we can begin to think about all of the things we “consume”. Do we need a walk-in closet full of clothes or a new iPhone every season? Think about why these feel like “needs”. What is actually missing from our lives?
When we asked ourselves this question, we knew a connection to each other and to nature was missing in our lives.
Growing our own food helped us to feel more connected to the land, guided us towards feeling more fulfilled by our “work”, and we gained that valuable time spent together. Growing our own food, in our opinion, is an amazing and simple way to become more sustainable, self sufficient, and connected. Whether that’s balcony gardening, gardening in a backyard, or through a community garden, growing nutritious food checks all of the “needs” boxes.
It’s a way to understand where our food comes from, to be a part of protecting and regenerating our soils, and to secure food for ourselves and our families through climate change. It’s also just so darn fun and rewarding!
We hope that if we can leave you with one thing, it’s that becoming more sustainable in life doesn’t have to mean buying or consuming your way there. Change is made through small actions made by many people. It’s made by silent revolutions. It’s made by switching from consumption to connection, and only then can the healing — for both planet and people — begin.
“Change is made through small actions made by many people. It’s made by silent revolutions. It’s made by switching from consumption to connection, and only then can the healing — for both planet and people — begin.”
About The Author
Dane Fader and Alley Biniarz are Kingsville residents and owners of the full circle farming enterprise, GreenerFarms YQG - a local regenerative farming and composting operation elevating sustainable food production in our region.