I was teen mom, who in an attempt to escape an abusive man, left her family home in another country to move back to Toronto. I have lived in poverty with my children for a decade despite my post-graduate education. I can give you a thousand reasons why I remained impoverished, but none of them really matter. I could tell you how my eldest son has special needs that impeded my ability to work. Or how the posttraumatic stress from years of abuse interfered with keeping a job or sustaining a relationship. But they only serve to perpetuate the myth I had convinced myself was a truth – that I couldn’t do it. It really didn’t matter what ‘it’ was, I believed I couldn’t – and that would always prove to be the truth as long as I believed that.
As I struggled through the decade of my twenties I learned many things. I learned that the amount of education one has, does not directly correlate with income. I learned that parents have way more clout in the public school board than anyone realizes. That although Metamucil may not be a meal replacement it will make you belly feel full for a long time. Which was an important piece of information when I ran out of money to buy food for both my children and myself. Respect does not come from a prestigious position. Wealth comes from your social structure system. And of all the things I learned, the most powerful lesson was what the word communitas meant.
Communitas has more depth than the word community. Communitas is the inclusive valuing of each member of a society. It is the absolute understanding that the single mother on welfare is of the same human value as the top, high powered executive. The man who lives out of his car is of the same value as the factory worker, who is the same value as the doctor, and the lawyer, the farmer, the secretary, and the Prime Minister… That each of us has a role in our community. We have gifts to share and when given the opportunity have a great deal to contribute. When we are not judged by whether we own a BMW or a house, or a flat screen tv, we are given the freedom to share ourselves and be valuable members of our community.
The largest social justice and environmental issue we face as a society is the breakdown of the community. We are built on consumerism and live in a disposable culture. The problem with our discount dollar shopping is some products are manufactured using unethical work practices, unfair wages, lead lined children’s products, and radioactive signs. Huge amounts of toxic waste are created in the production of these digital items, plastic toys, and nick knacks, which are then dumped in third world countries and often in our own backyard. All these ‘bargain prices’ usually mean is the product isn’t going to last long, resulting in more landfill, and the need to buy replacements. As consumers we have the power to change everything in the world. From trade practices, to ethical treatment of humans and animals, unionization, fair wages, and the exploitation of children, waterways, forest and farmland. We have become so disconnected from where our ‘stuff’ comes from, and the true value of what we purchase, we have lost our sense of that power. It is time to reclaim that authority, one small decision in consciousness at a time.
As consumers we are investors – you can choose how you will invest your money. Will it be the company that employs unethical practices, human trafficking, destruction of old growth forest, or is it a sustainable, socially and environmentally responsible company you are going to support and encourage? Each time you do your groceries make one choice that trip to buy consciously, and over time you will find your actions and your money are building a sustainable and socially just world.
Quietly in church and school basements, through small social networks and web-based groups a movement is on the rise… the ‘freecycle’ movement. People give away for free gently used wares they no longer need. People who are in need of a particular item can acquire it for free. Often volunteer run, these facilities bring together the community while redirecting the flow of goods to be reused rather than landfill.
Community gardens, and intensive backyard farming are growing in popularity through urban and suburban sectors as well. Neighbourhoods pull together to create a space for food, family and shared resources. Four Seasons of Green will be providing a Children’s Community Garden this summer. York Region Food Network has family plots available as well. Or you can pool together your neighbours and create your own SPIN-Farm (Small Plot Intensive Farming).
People across the globe, especially those who live with severe economic constraints, are loosing their right to water through the privatization and commodification of water. Water is a right, not a salable item, but every time you purchase bottle water you support that industry. Water bottling companies have a reputation for depleting local villages throughout Africa, Asia and North America, (yes including Ontario) of their water supplies, and severely polluting the areas in which they drain. It takes more water to make the plastic water bottle than can be stored in it. Choose to bottle your own water with a stainless steal bottle and you can save $688 annually (including the cost of buying your own filtration system).
Save thousands of dollars each year by visiting church bazaars, garage sales, freecycle outlets, and used bookstores. Not only are you reducing your carbon footprint, you are also developing relationships with the people in your community. You are creating communitas. One of the best places to build community and communitas is to visit your local farmer’s market from May until October. Here you are supporting your local farmers, gardeners, florists, artists, musicians, bee keepers… To go further with sustainable practices encourage and support your local farmers to transition to organic farming.
Before Four Seasons of Green, I had all the reasons why I couldn’t go green, or buy conscious, most of which revolved around finances. But I have come to discover that going green is not just about buying energy star appliances, it is about buying into a sustainable community. That is worth investing every dollar I have, and will ever have. My family and I are still learning, still changing one choice at a time. I will tell you the secret: I am not doing it all by myself. I have an entire community committed to helping me go green and I am committed to helping you do it too.
For more information please refer to www.fourseasonsofgreen.com or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
