AES Ohio’s Post

Inspiring change has been a huge part of my advocacy and community organising efforts over the last 15 years. 📢 I wanted to create this little reel, because as individuals its easier to enact change when it is modelled to us and we can see it in action, rather than just in words. 💚 There has been so much commentary over the last weeks and months, resurfacing about individual vs system change, and much like all issues within the sustainability space, there needs to be space for both forms of change.🪧 For me, all kinds of change is super important. My lived experience has been influenced by failures in oppressive systems, and as a result of this, I’ve had to take things in my own hands to create change. ✍️ If I waited for a system of support in many instances in my life, who knows if I’d be here writing this today. 🙏🏾 All this to say, every little bit counts, something I always remind myself of is that governments and the ‘higher ups‘ are mad up of people just like you and I. Sustainability starts with the self. And it is for everyone. 🤗 Change starts in your lounge room, at the dinner table, on the streets, in your fridge, in what you eat, how you dress, how you care for nature, the words that come out of our mouth, and how we love one another. 💖 And it doesn’t look one way, it can be fun and colourful and joyful 🌈 We all have a voice, but don’t all have the safety to use its power. I advocate for change for those who can’t, for my community, for my neighbours and for the world as whole. We can’t do anything by our self, so I hope you’ll continue to be an accomplice with me 💪🏽 Let me know if do some of the already, and some other every day acts I didn't cover - I'd love to know! 🤗 • • • #sustainability #preloved #nonewclothes #waronwasteau #waronwaste #secondhand #ethicalfashion #sustainablefashion #rewearthat #consciousfashion #vintage #rewearthat #reusablecup #sustainablestylist #vegan #plantbased #zerowaste #slowfashion #30wears #whomademyclothes

COLLECTIVESUN OUT & ABOUT! Last week, our CollectiveSun team took a step out of the office and into our sunny neighborhood for a special event: a Community Clean-Up Walk! This initiative was more than just a walk; it was a team lead demonstration of our commitment to our core values of Community and Simplicity. Equipped with garbage grabbers, recycled bags, sunscreen and intention, we set out to make a positive impact. What surprised us the most was the sheer amount of litter that had gone unnoticed in our daily routines. In just one block, we managed to fill an entire bag with trash. This eye-opening experience highlighted how small efforts can lead to significant changes in our surroundings. By coming together to clean up our local area, we not only enhanced the beauty of our neighborhood, and we also reinforced the importance of taking collective responsibility for our environment. We encourage everyone, whether local or remote, to find ways to contribute to your communities. Organize a clean-up in your area, share your efforts with us! Thank you to everyone who participated in the clean-up walk and to those supporting from afar. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to make positive impact, one small step at a time! #CollectiveSunOutAndAbout #CommunityCleanUp #TeamEffort #MakeADifference #SustainabilityInAction #CommunityImpact #TeamValues #SmallEffortsBigImpact #EnvironmentalResponsibility #CollectiveResponsibility #LocalImpact #NeighborhoodCleanup #ActLocally #SimplicityInAction

What if we told you that the lives of many women revolve around firewood? Timeline: Women leave home at 5.30am to the mountains to fetch firewood. They return by 1.30pm. They do this trip every two days. Their interaction with the firewood doesn't end there. They cook with it, inhale smoke as an accompany gift and repeat process 3 times a day for every meal time. There must be alignment between products designed for clean cooking and end users. Products/Technologies must address the concerns of these women. Decisions cannot be made far away from those who will use the technologies. If we must help, then we must do it right.

EVENT POSTPONED. My sincerest apologies, but my kid and me are both having a sick day and will need to cancel. Unfortunately, my preference is for me to lead it as I wanted to use this as the first sort of train-the-trainer type workshop. The things you learn, action and take-aways - you could teach someone else! It is very practical as I want to move towards really clear, simple, engagement actions tied to BetterStreets for kids and coordinated everyday activism. How to manage that, engagement, and not get burnt out. The idea being to scale into a recorded series with templates and tools for you to use related to BetterStreets for Kids engagement. New date/time to be set - post holidays.

Very Cool to Be Recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Good to see businesses that give back recognized. Businesses can have a much greater impact than simply making a profit. Don't get me wrong, we want to turn a profit, if we do not do well, we cannot do good. But we can have a greater impact on the lives of our employees, our customers and in our community. And it turns out, the United Nations has documented that those organizations adhering to sustainable goals produce larger profits. We are a business with a purpose to spread happiness and show what people with differing abilities can achieve. Founded by a young man with Down syndrome (my son, John) more than half our colleagues have a differing ability. Giving back is baked into everything we do. If we can do this at John's Crazy Socks, you can do it too. #socialenterprise #inclusion #downsyndrome #givingback #purposedrivenbusiness https://lnkd.in/ecPBKmyS

A new community engagement exercise, a "Block Drop," developed by three Girl Scouts of the USA, is helping keep communities clean. What does a Block Drop entail? And how can you implement this fantastic idea in your community? Learn more on our blog: bit.ly/3EuexOd #GreenPages #Community #Cleanup

In a world where your brand's impact on the community matters more than ever, it's time to ask ourselves - are we doing enough to uplift and support the communities we operate in? It's more than just providing products or services; it's about ingraining oneself into the fabric of the local ecosystem. From fostering genuine relationships with local businesses to becoming a beacon of hope and support for our employees' communities, every small effort counts. #CommunityLeadership #CommunityImpact https://lnkd.in/gDZWbWeQ 

Let’s celebrate how change happens both when we take action in our communities and when we push for systems change especially by governments and businesses. At OneEarth Living, we believe in the power of action at all levels! Watch our 3-minute video showcasing how, at the local level, neighbours are working together to mainstream sustainable ways of living. They are inspired by the OneEarth Living neighbourhood guide and empowered by $500 Neighbourhood Small Grants. Here are some examples of small grants projects in 2022 and 2023 through our Lighter Living NSG stream: A plant-based community cookbook for neighbours. A trash run in Pemberton. A swap focused on accessories. A sewing workshop. A baby shower for HIV-positive women, sharing food, clothes, and goods. A butterfly festival. A book and clothes exchange for the community. So, what’s next? Will you host a neighbourhood-wide garage sale or plan to share food, tools, or toys? How will you join forces with others to take action? Association of Neighbourhood Houses of British Columbia (ANHBC), Vancouver Foundation, Vancity #EarthDayEveryDay #MakeADifference #TogetherWeCan #LighterLiving #CommunityImpact

Everyone should be safe in their community. Yet a lack of safety, economic instability, and social marginalisation can make individuals, particularly women and gender diverse people, more at risk for exploitation.   Sharing your experience can help make a safer New South Wales for women and gender diverse people.    YourGround NSW is a crowdsourced map asking women and gender diverse people to 'pin a spot' and share your experiences about safety across NSW. The initiative aims to help create more inclusive public spaces and transport hubs and was led by Monash University's XYX Lab in collaboration with CrowdSpot. Developed in partnership with the NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin, NSW Department of Communities and Justice and Transport for NSW, YourGround NSW is part of the Safer Cities program, and an important step in n the NSW Government’s commitment to helping make cities and towns across NSW feel safer and more equitable for everyone.   Head to yourground.org and ‘pin a spot’ to participate. 

Promoting inclusivity, one facility at a time. ♿ Bins4Blokes is more than just a solution – it's a step towards inclusivity. By providing accessible incontinence bins in public spaces, we're making a positive impact on the lives of many. Let's create a society where everyone feels valued and supported. Together, we can make a difference. Learn more about Bins4Blokes today. #InclusivityMatters #PeriodPositivity #BINS4BLOKES #BriskleenSupplies