Author: Shoshi Hornum (CEI Intern)
This month is marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, which among other things, advocates for sustainable living practices. It is imperative that people consider sustainability in everything from the food we eat to the clothes we wear. There is a lot to consider in cultivating a sustainable lifestyle, so here are some suggestions to keep in mind.
 
Sustainable fashion tips:

1. Before you buy, check the tags for eco-friendly fabrics! These include organic cotton, bamboo, recycled polyester, TENCEL, and more. Steer clear of materials such as typical polyester, nylon, fur, leather, and acrylic.
2. Look at the labels! Some sustainable clothing will have labels such as USDA Organic, Fair Trade, or GOTS Organic. You can shop from local businesses that have adopted sustainable clothing practices.
3. Avoid fast fashion. Not only does the production of fast fashion typically involve inhumane conditions, but the garments are made of synthetic fabrics and not made to last, making them unsustainable and not eco-friendly. These include brands such as Zara, Shein, Fashion Nova, and H&M.
4. Shop second hand! Every year, Americans generate 16 million tons of textile waste. Decrease this number by thrifting!
5. Wash your clothes less frequently. Fabrics such as denim do not need to be washed after every use. In addition, save water by consolidating laundry into fewer loads and use cold water.
6. Upcycle your current clothes! Add some embroidery or decals and you will have a like-new item that you can reuse instead of throwing away.
7. Donate any clothes you aren’t using. Look near schools for clothing donation drop boxes! Use Planet Aid’s “Find a Bin” feature to check for nearby locations.

 
Sustainable eating tips:

1. Start an organic vegetable garden and grow your own produce.
2. Reduce your plastic use! Instead of using plastic bags, bottles, straws, and cutlery, reach for paper or reusable alternatives such as glass and steel.
3. Eat less animal products. Global animal agriculture accounts for a whopping 14.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions and 1 pound of beef requires 1,800 gallons of water! Participate in Meatless Mondays as often as possible! Try a vegetarian or vegan diet.
4. Support local restaurants that are committed to sourcing local products and practicing sustainability in their business!
5. Buy organic food. Regenerative farming reduces water pollution, produces more food, and helps reverse the climate crisis!

 
General sustainable life tips:

1. Save water. This tip is as simple as shutting off water when you aren’t using it. Try not to leave water running while you are brushing your teeth, take shorter showers, etc.
2. Save energy. Turn off lights in rooms that you are not in and use LED light bulbs!
3. Walk or bike whenever possible. When you can’t, try public transportation and/or carpooling.
4. Install solar panels.
5. Recycle and compost!
6. Use cloth bags at the grocery store!

 
Sustainability at CEI:

1. We promote and practice sustainable agriculture. Purchase our locally and sustainably grown produce during the summer of 2021 and beyond.
2. Donate to help us continue our sustainable initiatives!

 
Sources:
Green America: Green Living
UN Food and Agriculture Organization
The New York Times
 

​CEI is committed to understanding and sharing the social and ecological history of the land in which we are rooted. Into the 1600s, the land that is now called the United States was home to a great diversity of flourishing indigenous cultures, estimated to be comprised of 100 million people. In Howard County, we are primarily on the traditional land of both the Algonquin and Iroquois. The Piscataway tribe of the Algonquin and the Susquehannock tribe of the Iroquois both have particularly long and rich history in this area. In 1634 the colonization of tribal lands was initiated by Maryland’s first colonial governor and conflict began to rise as colonists continued to encroach on tribal lands. In 1652, the Susquehannock tribe signed a peace treaty with Maryland, giving up their provenance over the territory that is now Howard County and effectively ending their presence in Maryland. In 1966, a treaty was established to create a Piscataway reservation. This was followed by subsequent treaties, all of which would be broken in the coming years, resulting in the local loss of native homelands. For hundred of years now Native communities across the Americas have demonstrated resilience and resistance in the face of violent efforts to separate them from their land, culture, and each other. They remain at the forefront of movements to protect the Earth and the life it sustains. Today, Piscataway people still reside in many Maryland counties. According to the most recent census data, there are approximately 40,000 Native Americans in Maryland and 1,300 living in Howard County.

This year, Howard County became one of more than 140 state and local governments across the country to make the switch to Indigenous Peoples Day from Columbus Day. As we all were taught in primary school, Christopher Columbus first landed in the Americas on October 12, 1492, a date that was honored with a federal holiday 83 years ago. In recent decades, Native Americans and other groups have justly protested the celebration of an event that resulted in the colonization of the Americas, the beginnings of the transatlantic slave trade and the deaths of millions from murder and disease. It is long past time be honest about the true history of this country and the Native peoples that have always called this land home. This acknowledgment is a necessary step toward honoring Native communities and enacting the much larger project of decolonization and reconciliation.

CEI is following the guidance of the 'Honor Native Lands Guide' created by the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture in partnership with Native allies and organizations. The guide explains that the practice of land acknowledgement is important because it:

• Offers recognition and respect.
• Counters the “doctrine of discovery” with the true story of the people who were already here.
• Creates a broader public awareness of the history that has led to this moment.
• Begins to repair relationships with Native communities and with the land.
• Supports larger truth-telling and reconciliation efforts.
• Reminds people that colonization is an ongoing process, with Native lands still occupied due to deceptive and broken treaties.
• Takes a cue from Indigenous protocol, opening up space with reverence and respect.
• Inspires ongoing action and relationship.

As the Honor Native Lands Guide states, “acknowledgment by itself is a small gesture. It becomes meaningful when coupled with authentic relationship and informed action. But this beginning can be an opening to greater public consciousness of Native sovereignty and cultural rights, a step toward equitable relationship and reconciliation.” Those wanting to learn more can access the guide here – it give step-by-step instructions for how to begin wherever you are, and provides tips for moving beyond acknowledgment into action.