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August 2024: trees

Each month, we break down our topic into four weekly modules. Catch up on previous editions here.​

This week's module: WATCH

• ✅ READ | Actually fun facts about trees and how magical they are
• ✅ WATCH | How trees talk to each other​
• 🎯 ACT | Actions you can take to create tree-related justice (TODAY)
• REFLECT | Share your commitment to being a tree hugger (8/28/24)

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes for the action plan

Here's what we'll learn today Reader

Omg okay storytime. Last week in our WATCH module (here if you missed it), I told you about how trees can talk. And all about Dr. Suzanne Simard who gave a TED talk on it. And how they communicate through mycorrhizal networks.

The EXACT TIME our Changeletter was scheduled to go out last week, when I was camping, I stumbled upon a park ranger at the Hoh Rainforest. As I got closer, I heard him say, "Did you know trees can talk?" AND THEN HE HELD UP A PICTURE OF DR. SUZANNE SIMARD!

It was the WILDEST coincidence!

I guess what I am trying to say is Changeletter is magical!!!! The trees probably orchestrated this whole thing.

Aaaanyway trees are amazing, they are being eradicated by extractive capitalism, and we must save them! That's what today's ACT module is all about. Here's pics of me and my mom hugging some of our fave trees on our camping trip, just for funsies

Also, TOMORROW we are having our last climate community building & coworking party in Seattle!​

Your bite-sized action plan Reader

✅ ACT by choosing one way you will advocate for trees

1. Use Ecosia as your search engine​
   ​Ecosia plants trees with every search, and they've planted over TWO HUNDRED MILLION so far. Also, last month, you learned that AI is harming our water supply; another benefit to Ecosia is there's no annoying AI blurb at the top. Those things are so annoying and also inaccurate. Finally, Ecosia is WAAAYY less spammy than Google. This is one of the world's simplest climate actions!
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2. Go forest bathing
   ​Forest bathing / forest therapy / shinrin-yoku is the Japanese contemplative practice of being immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of the forest. There are many places that offer guided forest bathing. You can do it by yourself or simply search "forest bathing near me" on Ecosia!
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3. Donate to Earth Guardians (optional: at no cost to you)
   ​I am proud to be on the board of Earth Guardians, a youth-led organization for climate justice and ecological restoration. You can donate to them with your own money via their website AND you can also literally click on this Credo Mobile link to vote for them to get a big donation. It took me less than 30 seconds and Credo has already donated $58,500 to Earth Guardians! Saving trees, stewarding land, AND supporting youth leadership? Yes pls
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4. Change your toilet paper situation
   ​Bamboo toilet paper has been the gateway drug for so many people to begin their sustainability journeys. Honeycomb and Who Gives a Crap are two brands you could check out. Buying new things is generally not something we recommend at Soapbox, so even better than swapping out one TP for another, consider getting a bidet if you don't already have one! (Bidet users apparently save 384 trees in their lifetime, I don't know how this is measured, but you can look at Tushy bidets)
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5. Become an official conservationist​
   Get your Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner certificate to really level up! The Society for Ecological Restoration (SER), who hosts this certification program, also puts on a bunch of other professional programming. SER is the UN's Decade on Ecosystem Restoration partner!
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6. Spend time learning from Indigenous people in the place you live
   ​Many of us think logging = bad. I used to think that until 60 seconds ago, when I found this article that talks about logging efforts in Wisconsin where the forest now has MORE trees than when logging started. I know. It's so wild. Partnering with people who have a deep history with the land is key!
   ​
7. Get involved with local policy to expand tree canopy in your city​
   Yes to planting trees and yes to FSC certified paper and all that, but extra-yes to high-leverage actions. Advocacy and policy are key to protecting our trees. Scenic America shares language for a sample tree ordinance that you might be able to pitch to save trees in your neighborhood! Here is also an entire resource list of expanding tree canopy in your city, which also notes the environmental justice implications (wealthy people are often safer from heat deaths because rich neighborhoods have more trees!)

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Trees are really out here saving us! Let's save them back!

Next week, during our REFLECT module, you'll share your commitment to saving trees. Meanwhile I will be out celebrating my 1-year wedding anniversary after biking from Seattle to Vancouver, which is a 200ish mile bike ride, so pls wish me luck.... oh no

Love,

Nivi

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P.S thanks Jonny for the article on logging