🪨 Minerva Sustainability Newsletter: Tellus Mater
Tellus Mater Issue 6, Apr 2024
April 2024, Issue #6
Editors’ Note
Dear Community,
Welcome to April and the final issue for this academic term! As we wrap up another remarkable year at Minerva, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of you for being a part of our Tellus Mater family. Your enthusiasm, innovative ideas, and dedication to cultivating a conscious college community have truly inspired us.
We hope you've enjoyed reading our magazine as much as we've loved putting it together. From eco-friendly tips to creative pieces and inspiring adventure stories, the support of our faculty and student body has been invaluable.
As summer approaches, whether you're seizing the opportunities shared by our dear CTD and SLT teams, out exploring nature, or simply relaxing and reconnecting with loved ones, let's keep the green mindset alive. Remember, every small action counts!
But it’s not a goodbye! We'll be back with more energy next year, ready to bring you even more exciting content and opportunities to make a difference. So stay tuned for what’s to come! As always, feel free to share your ideas, suggestions, or whatever you are excited about for summer, via the Tell Us, Mate! Form.
Again, thanks for a great year. But for now, enjoy the April issue. 🌷🌻
Editors,
Aru, Nara, and Zuza
Featured Community Stories
M24 & M25s visit to Seabound! London Spring 2024
M19 alumni Alisha Fredriksson and Roujia Wen, are making waves with their carbon capture technology startup Seabound (Forbes 30 Under 30? Entrepreneur of the Year Award? Remember?). Recently, students from M24 and M25 cohorts had the opportunity to visit their office in London and explore their prototype. Let's hear the highlights of their adventure from Golden (M25), who connected with alumni to make it happen.
⚠️ Spoiler alert: their office is in a shipping container! How fitting.
For more information about their technology and updates visit Seabound website.
And Still We Rise: A Day of Justice. Interview with Osian (M25), London Spring 2024
What insights can we gain from the recent Climate Festival in London?
As our world grapples with climate upheaval and widening socioeconomic disparities, the call for justice grows louder. The “And Still We Rise“ one-day climate festival held in London by War on Want stands as a testament to our unity in confronting these pressing issues.
Our M25 cohort recently immersed themselves in this activism hub, joining journalists, activists, and political figures with a common aim: raising public consciousness about global injustices and discussing actionable steps to address them. Among them, Osian Bellinger, a dedicated member of M25 deeply involved in climate activism, kindly shared his insights gleaned from the festival.
The festival’s agenda centered around campaigns such as the Green New Deal, addressing injustices within prominent institutions like WTO, and advocating for the rights of workers and farmers. Over four sessions, participants actively discussed topics ranging from food sovereignty, equitable financial systems, and reshaping the workforce to advocating for indigenous land rights and migrant justice.
“The festival was remarkable as I learned more about renewable projects and discovered alternative approaches to investment, emphasizing community-driven initiatives over privatization. It began with an opening speech by an organizer from South Africa, followed by a powerful performance by a Palestinian poet. Later, a group from Colombia showcased Afro-Indigenous dance, with approximately 200 people in attendance. Overall, the festival brought together 40 speakers from 25 countries, including climate justice activists Nnimmo Bassey, Tasneem Essop, and Sabrina Fernandes. I was introduced to new organizations, like Trade Unions for Energy Democracy. One notable highlight was the second session, where panelists from La Via Campesina led discussions. La Via Campesina, renowned for its collaboration with the UN on global food policy mobilization, addressed the pressing issue of indigenous shelter loss. The panel underscored the importance of prioritizing people's needs over profit-driven motives, resonating deeply with attendees.”
Now more than ever, it is crucial to engage with global issues and reject a future marked by hate and division, which benefits only elites and corporations while harming people and the planet. By exposing ourselves to diverse perspectives, we can pave the way for positive change. So let's continue to engage in these conversations and foster connections as we fight toward a brighter future.
Together, Still We Rise.
Want to share your story with the Minerva community, too?
Get in touch with the editorial team!
Creative Writing
After the Sun Never Set (Chapter 2, Part II)
An original story by Noa Poliakin Dotan (M26)
“Now give me your water. I know you have some”.
Her threat got me to my senses. In just a few words she asserted the power dynamics between us. My life is at her will, and she spared it, for now. Power through grace. It reminded me of my father. He gave me everything that I ever asked for, but I was in his dispense, completely dependent on him. There was always water in the house but I had no idea how and where he got it. Always fresh air, but little did I know that without constant maintenance we would suffocate in that small house with the high walls. I didn’t want to depend anymore, but I was in no position to want right now, only to survive.
I quickly picked up the half-empty bottle of water from where the rest of my property and torn-up backpack laid. And handed it over. I could feel my throat drying up in agony as she drank a big gulp from the translated liquid, which was as precious as gold used to be.
To my surprise she stopped with an eighth of the bottle left and returned it to me. It took me a second, I was baffled. There is no way she was less thirsty than I am. I drank yesterday. Most outsiders drink only once every three days or so. Finally, I grabbed it from her and downed the rest.
“Let’s go little girl,” she started walking. I rushed to match her huge steps. I looked back, the mass was long gone, embedded in the grayness of the abandoned city. Glancing back, I could see my old home, like a tall thin line among the ruins. My heart hurt with longing to take it all back, to rewind time, and bring back my ignorance. I couldn’t recall why I so desperately wanted to leave when I was younger, to break the tall walls and emerge into the world. Now I am infuriated with myself for those granted prayers.
Then, something caught my eye—a shift in the walls as we walked away. Someone was painting them red. In a split second, my vision broadened and I could see them all. Dozens of tall red structures. My own was the last gray one standing. Now it hit me, they painted the walls of the people they killed, of the houses they occupied.
I could never come back home.
Thank you for tuning into Noa’s story four parts. Please share your thoughts in the comments or direct mail. See you next year!
Climate Week (San Francisco, London, Berlin)
Where? San Francisco, London, Berlin + online events
When? April 12-14, 2024
What? Join us for a cross-cohort Climate Week 2024 from April 12th to 14th! Check your city’s schedule for fun activities in San Francisco, London, and Berlin, including in-person and online cross-cohort lectures. Highlights include thrift swaps, vegan cooking, movie screenings, and a poetry competition… We hope to see you there!
And for M27s exclusively, don’t miss out on our final event— the M27 Poetry Competition! 🌟
The winning entry not only earns publication in the Napkins & Tellus Mater but also a chance to present at the Poetry Slam in Coit Tower on April 14th! Intrigued? See details for participation here. 📝
Events and Opportunities
Explore diverse sustainability internships in business, finance, policy, and journalism, handpicked by CTD, alumni, and the SC to support your career journey!
Upcoming Opportunities
🌆 Buenos Aires "Reinventing Cities" Competition
Who? Student teams
What? This competition invites multi-disciplinary teams to transform underutilized sites in cities into beacons of sustainability and resilience. While this is open to all students, we highly recommend it for M26, who will be in Buenos Aires next fall! You can contact city director Mara Steiner (mara@minerva.edu) if you have questions about the area (La Paternal) or need other resources.
When? The deadline to apply (in teams) is May 1.
🌎 Climate Champions Youth Fellowship 2024
What? Paid fellowship for youth committed to climate action, requiring 16 hours per week from June to December 2024.
When? The deadline to apply is April 10.
🧑🔬 776 Fellowship Program
What? Two-year program offering $100,000 grant and support for young changemakers.
When? The deadline to apply is April 24.
🌊 National Geographic Society & The Nature Conservancy Marine and Community Conservation Remote Externship
What? Part-time, remote externship exploring marine conservation. $500 stipend is offered upon completion.
When? The deadline to apply is May 6.
👩💻 Climate Base Internships
What? Various climate internships available, deadlines and details vary.
✍️ Chix Mag Climate Writing Submissions
Who? Open to all.
What? Rolling submissions for climate-related articles and creative concepts.
📊 World Resources Institute Internships
What? Internship opportunities with the World Resources Institute, details vary.
🐼 WWF Bridge Internships
Who? Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome.
What? Paid internship program.
Where? Virtual and hybrid options are available.
🐠 Program Associate (Ocean & Climate) at The Aspen Institute
What? Role requiring organizational skills and climate change/environmental policy background.
When? Rolling applications.
📞 Communications Coordinator at Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Who? Proficiency in English and French is preferred.
What? Role focusing on social media, article writing, and project management.
When? Rolling applications.
⚡ This LinkedIn post shares 7 cool opportunities
What? Top Climate Change summer internships, fellowships, funding, and grant opportunities! This includes an MIT fellowship, The Iris Project, Women Peacemakers Fellowship, and many more.
When? The deadlines to apply vary, from April 8 to May 6.
Tell us what you think here - we want your most honest thoughts!
For Tellus Mater to become the sustainability communication hub at Minerva University, it is important for us to create two-way communication. We appreciate all your thoughts, contributions, and suggestions.
Acknowledgments
Thank you for tuning in!
Don’t forget to subscribe and share with your friends!
Aru, Nara, and Zuza
“Now give me your water. I know you have some”. The opening line. And the following world-building is too too good. UGH!! 👏