Week 5: Interdisciplinary Approaches and Knowledge Systems

Key Takeaways

• California has set the standard for many climate and environmental policies through bills such as the Global Warming Solutions Act​ (AB 32) and SB 525

• There are many ways to advocate depending on your interests, including volunteering, writing an op-ed, creating art, and even talking to your loved ones about climate and environmental justice issues

• We stand on the backs of many who came before us. So, even when you don't feel like you're making a difference, remember that you are part of a larger movement making these better for generations to come

• We are stronger together-- planetary health is an interdisciplinary effort. In other words, making positive change requires working with residents, teachers, urban planners, community organizers, policymakers, lawyers, clinicians, and more because people in each of these roles brings certain strengths and resources

Announcements

• Guest speakers will be Julie Corrales, Director of Tierras Indígenas Community Land Trust and Deema Arafah, MD, Pediatric endocrinologist and California naturalist

• City Farmers Nursery Field Trip with Deema Arafah, MD

• You will receive feedback on your manuscripts by next class. See deadlines for the manuscripts and poster here.

• Please have your loved ones RSVP for the celebration ASAP!

Key Takeaways

• Ask about the origin stories of your family and culture. The Sky Woman creation story is foundational to the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples and shows us how humans are dependent on other species to survive and thrive

• Engage with the natural world with gratitude, reciprocity, respect-- understanding that many lives of plants, animals, waterways, etc. are needed to give you life

• To be human is to learn from our mistakes and take corrective action. It is thought that massive fires that humans created contributed to the extinction of megafauna across the Americas  and peoples who are indigenous to the Americas learned from that mistake, so now practice careful stewardship of the environment

• The earth has been through many climatic changes over hundreds of thousands of years and will survive future changes.

• Native plants care for both native and migratory species

• The plants you nurture will eventually nurture you

Announcements

• A draft of your research posters and second draft of your manuscripts are due before class on Tuesday. See deadlines for the manuscripts and poster here.

• RSVP for the celebration by tomorrow (Friday, July 24)!