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.

Throughout the semester, we went on many field trips around Cleveland, but my favorite was the overnight trip to OSU Stonelab. These field trips taught me that the people who work to protect the Cleveland community and environment face challenges due to policies, but they still work together to fight. They also educate the public on healthy living and warn them about potential dangers in the area. For example, our field trip to the Air Quality Monitoring Site in Cleveland is the only one in the area and is next to industrial zones. The authorities have stated that they are not allowed to take any action to reduce the air pollution caused by these zones. They suggest that people can make complaints about the situation. I was shocked by the realization that companies like this one, whose job it is to protect people in Cleveland from harmful pollution, have no power to prevent it. Their only option is to educate people like me on protecting ourselves.

During my school field trips, I got the opportunity to learn about various fields that fascinated me and helped me decide what I wanted to pursue in the future. For instance, we visited the Case Western Reserve Law School, which made me realize that law is not the field I want to pursue. On the other hand, the OSU Stonelab field trip was a great experience for me as it explored the field of Biology, which is something I am genuinely interested in.

Since I finished my work early, I was able to take on interesting projects. My teacher thought I would be the perfect candidate to help finish our composter. I agreed because I wanted to do something fun in my free time and help my community finish one of our projects. I attached the remaining pieces of wood and secured the chicken wire around the inside of the compost bin. As an act to be more sustainable in the house, we use the compost bin to reduce the amount of food waste we produce. 

Beekeeping can be a challenging job that requires a lot of time and effort. Although bees are generally self-sufficient, beekeepers must monitor them for viruses, mites, or if the queen dies or is replaced. Despite the time commitment, beekeeping can be a relaxing and enjoyable activity. The humming of the bees is soothing and can contribute to your overall well-being. 

During this semester, I had the opportunity to get involved in beekeeping by helping to maintain the bee colonies on our campus. Despite the rainy season and the onset of winter, I found myself enjoying the peaceful atmosphere around the bees. It was fulfilling to be part of the effort to promote sustainability, and I felt proud to help ensure the thriving of the bee hives, even when we encountered a problem with the queen in one of the colonies. These insects play a significant role in beautifying and growing our Butler Campus, and I am committed to supporting their well-being.