EJ Changemakers know that structural change drives, and will heal, the environmental crisis. They are informed on how government, business, and social structures are the primary drivers of the environmental crisis, and envision how to revise and reimagine them to restore environmental justice. 

EJ Changemakers make informed choices in their day-to-day routines to sustain and regenerate our planet, while also acknowledging that individual-level choices are necessary but insufficient to restore environmental justice. 

EJ Changemakers have strategies and dispositions to healthily manage the complex, challenging work of changemaking.

After every unit that we covered we would choose a different way to synthesize the information. Module 2 was one of my favorite lessons and it was a good introduction to learning about EJ history and solutions for the future. I learned about widespread issues like environmental racism and issues closer to home such as fracking in Northeastern OH. 

I learned how to mend my clothes when they have patches or holes which helps me to avoid the constant cycle of buying and throwing away over and over again. I also learned how to add cute embroidery to my clothes which is a good way to change up your clothes when you get bored of them instead of buying a whole new wardrobe. This workshop was a great way for me to put into practice sustainability. 

We learned about the danger of climate doom and how to combat the feeling that your work is not changing the outcome of the world at all. We spent a large portion of this semester focusing on the solutions for climate change as opposed to all of the problems which was a good switch in my personal mindset. It has helped me be more open to working towards the solutions instead of feeling helpless about all the problems that exist. 

I researched the Sustainable Development Goal- Life on Land. I learned about different companies that are dedicated to helping reach the goal and what problems they are trying to combat such as degradation of land. I also became more aware of how large corporations need to be held responsible for their part in the climate crisis. 

At the beginning of the semester we completed the online Leave No Trace course. This included useful information on how to respect the nature around us. Whenever I go out into public green spaces I make sure to practice what I was taught in this course.

Every morning during this semester we would have a group circle. In this circle students were given the chance to reflect on a question and share with the group. A lot of questions were related to the work of environmental justice. I was given the chance to lead one of these circles. I read a poem and gave a question to the group about reflecting on your surroundings. These circles were a good way to share feelings and bond with the group.