by Aidan Morishita-Miki

What comes to mind when someone says the word "environment"? Maybe a lush forest, whales' tails peeking out of the ocean or an African savannah... Although the word "environment" conjures up different images for everyone, it's probably safe to say that most people would picture something big, remote, and undisturbed. I would guess that most do not imagine any people in their landscape.

This guess comes from my belief that our Western worldview makes too strong a distinction between "society" and "the environment". Don't get me wrong, thinking of these gorgeous scenes is not a bad thing; any way people can appreciate the beauty of the environment should foster more environmentally friendly behaviour.

However, in Patrick Curry's Environmental Ethics (a book I read about a year ago), the author explains that the worldview that best lends itself to environmentalism is one based in an appreciation of local environments. Thinking of the environment as something epic and far-off, while not necessarily a bad thing, ignores the fact that we exist within complex ecosystems; the environment is not just all around us: we are a part of it.

That's one of the many things that I love about JGI. Its programs offer a holistic approach to environmentalism, one that combines global conservation (through its Africa programs) with local environmental issues (through its Roots & Shoots program).

Your local environment may not seem like much. Is there a forest near your house? An ocean? Maybe not... But your surroundings, no matter how urbanised they may be, are full of life and character. Next time you're walking somewhere, take a second to appreciate your surroundings. I know, it sounds clichéd to "stop and smell the roses," but knowing what's around you can give you a better appreciation of, and a personal connection with, the environment.

Organisations such as the Toronto Public Space Committee (TPSC) and the Vancouver Public Space Network (VPSN) are great for helping you reconsider your environment as more than just pavement, buildings, billboards, and the odd tree. Their activities range from going on tree tours to reclaiming ad space, where people place their art over billboards and other advertisements in public spaces (bus shelters, waste receptacles, etc.).

One activity that really brings together the concepts of public space and the environment is guerrilla gardening. The TPSC describes this popular pastime as "graffiti with nature". In cities across Canada, groups of people get together to reclaim abandoned or derelict lots in their neighbourhoods by planting indigenous plants or seed-bombing (seed bombs are a mixture of clay, soil & seeds rolled into balls). Seeing a flower growing in a parking lot, for example, can brighten a person's day and make them think twice about the surroundings they often take for granted.

There are so many options for rethinking your environment that you're sure to find something that interests you! The simplest activity you can do is to take a walk. You don't need a destination; just take some time out of your day to stroll and really experience your surroundings.

"We" as individuals, as Canadians, as human beings, as animals on this Earth, are inseparable from our environment. While that connection might not always be apparent, it is important to always keep in mind. Make an emotional connection. Pick a place, no matter where, and think of it every time you're making a choice with environmental consequences. Once you have that one specific place that's special to you, I believe the passion needed to be a great environmental citizen will come more easily.

In the Little Prince, a pilot stranded in the desert receives some insight from a prince who has left his home in space: "If you love a flower that lives on a star, it is sweet to look at the sky at night. All the stars are a-bloom with flowers..." Loving something specific lets you see the beauty in the general. I think this is something we should all take to heart.