❄️ Minerva Sustainability Newsletter: Tellus Mater
Tellus Mater Issue 2, Dec 2023
December 2023, Issue #2
Editor’s Note
Dear Community,
Welcome back to Tellus Mater, the Minerva Sustainability Collective Newsletter! Thank you to our readers for the heartfelt responses to our first publication. In this second issue, we bring you more opportunities, an exciting community story, a translation of an Armenian poem, and flowers.
We have also recently created our official submission guidelines, which you can find here. We invite you to share your sustainability-related stories, cultural practices, and even snippets of your favorite assignments.
So tell us, mate!
Editors,
Nara and Zuza
Featured Community Stories
Last summer, a group of Minerva students and faculty went to Costa Rica to explore partnership opportunities with Earth University - an institution offering innovative education in Agriculture, emphasizing ethical entrepreneurship and strong socio-environmental commitment.
Here, Cynthia Peng (M25) offers a glimpse into her life at Earth Uni.
“The amount of greens here is exhilarating.
Only a simple gate at the entrance.
I could not help but think how powerful the trees are and nature are. Each has such a magnificent livelihood. Life, as they call it…”
An excerpt from Cynthia’s journal, July 2023.
All statistics and information were cross-verified using the official Earth University website. For further insights into Earth Uni's community development program, commercial activities, or significance of their mandala-shaped gardens (sacred circles of energy), you can explore their website.
Flor de Tomate
by Stênio Alves de Assis
A tomato flower bud. Stenio took the photo at Huerta Ciencias Medicas Anita Broccoli, the agro-ecological urban garden of UBA (University of Buenos Aires) Medical School.
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 1, Part 2)
An original story by Noa Poliakin Dotan (M26)
… I couldn’t know what I didn’t know about the outside. Dad would invite outsiders into our home to play with me, swim in the stream together, and enjoy the bursts of fresh tangerine from the tree room. In my eyes, my dad was the most generous man alive. I remember how I looked at him with admiration as he sent off the outsiders with bottles of water on their way to their homes, so they would not be thirsty on the way.
Monik was my favorite outsider. When she would come to visit me, we would lie in the grass - her in the shade and I in the little circle of sunlight that passed through our walls at noon. She would whisper in my ears stories from faraway lands, where the earth meets a land of deep blue water, where the water kisses the land again and again. She would tell me about places with more than a dozen kinds of blooming colorful grass, and how the air would move and make them dance together in harmony. In the past few years, she was the only one who came to me, I didn’t know why.
As I grew older the stories would become more and more vivid, basing off of each other. I would roll around in laughter as I imagined those outside lands. Monik would even join in my fantasy despite her being my father’s age. I felt so prepared to go outside. But with every attempt to gain his approval, my dad would be less and less kind in his denials. So I stopped. I remember being impatient for her last visit. We didn’t have any visitors for weeks, not even delivery people. My dad would nervously pace around the house. When I asked about our sudden isolation, he would smile and promise me that it would soon be over. After my endless requests, he arranged for Monik to visit, and said that he trusted her and that she was a good woman. When she finally came, my father was napping in his chair with a glass of juice by his side. I opened the door, ecstatic to see my old friend. But she never replied to my cheerful greeting. She walked straight past me, rushing, a look of distress on her face. I followed her. Maybe I could relieve her agony. Perhaps a cup of water or some cake would help… As she ignores my calls, Monik drew out an empty bag from her jacket, and filled it with four bottles of water, a knife, and a thin jacket. Finally, I gave up and just watched her in silence, not making sense of what my eyes gathered. Then she pulled out an unfamiliar item from her bag, approached my father, and pointed at him.
The next moment, all I could hear was a loud bang with blood pooling around my father's limp body.
“Augh!” a cry escapes my lips, my body bolting forward involuntarily. I fall to the ground, my hands which attempted to cushion the impact, are now bleeding from contact with the hot cement. I got distracted by my memories and tripped over a bump in the road. All my belongings scattered, my backpack had ripped open. I try to gather my things as quickly as possible. The voices are nearing. In my pathetic attempt to tie the backpack together, I sense a shadow over me. My whole body tenses up as I recognize the looming silhouette. At this moment, I am prepared to die.
But the moment never comes. Instead, I only hear a rough voice saying, “Well look at that, those who buy the smart equipment never learned to improvise.”
The first part of Noa’s story was published here. Tune in for Part 3 next month.
by Hamo Sahyan, translated from Armenian by Grigory Artazyan (M25).
And what has nature taught me?
That oldness is eternally renewed,
that waterfalls insure insomnia,
and repetition brings sleep.
Nature has taught me patience,
and that conscience enslaves,
that canyons have scope,
that wounds heal themselves,
that black soil is fertile.
Nature has taught me patience
and that the dog-rose is modest,
that giving is happiness,
that self-denial is courage,
not bragging can bring happiness.
Nature has taught me patience.
This poem taps into the wisdom that nature throws our way. Sahyan takes a moment to ponder the constant renewal that comes with old age, the calming chaos of waterfalls that mess with our sleep, and the comforting rhythm of repetition. Through modesty and the joy of giving, the poem highlights happiness and courage rooted in self-denial. It nudges us toward a more down-to-earth and patient way of approaching life, echoing Sahyan's knack for observing the natural world. I'm right there with him, feeling the deep simplicity and lasting truths woven into these teachings. - Grigory
Events and Opportunities
Whether you’re looking for a summer internship, a new course to dive deep into sustainability-related concepts, or an opportunity to network, we’ve got something for you.
Upcoming Events
🌾 Exploring Urban Agriculture at Alemany Farm
Who? M27
What? Join us at Alemany Farm, San Francisco's largest urban agriculture project. Learn from experts about its role in the city's food and community systems, and gain hands-on experience in crop rotation, irrigation, greenhouse work, and composting. Discover how the farm serves the community and enjoy the bonus of taking home free organic produce as a result of volunteering!
Where? San Francisco, USA
When? December 08, 2023
💃 Thriftswap in Bellini Tower
Who? Any Minervan in BA
What? The semester-ly thrift swap. Bring one, take one.
Where? Buenos Aires, Argentina; New Common Room.
When? December 10, 2023; 20:00.
🧬 Lab Visit to SWU Research Institute of Women's Health
Who? M26
What? Meet Sora Han, a Research Professor at SWU, who is eager to share her experience as a researcher. And tour around the Research Institute of Women's Health at Sookmyung Women's University.
Where? Seoul, South Korea
When? December 11, 2023
☘️ United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28)
What? Keep up with the largest climate summit as it is unfolding. Catch the live streaming of key events or browse through day summaries. Whether it's discussions on finance, trade, or the rights of indigenous people, there is something for everyone to engage with.
Where? Live streaming from Dubai, UAE
When? November 30 - December 12, 2023
Opportunities
🌿 Climatebase: hiring platform for climate organizations
What? Discover jobs at thousands of organizations working on climate solutions: capital, agriculture, land use, transportation, advocacy, policy, and more.
⚡ Student Energy Fellowship
What? A unique opportunity for a high-level overview of energy systems and project development skills for young people who are looking to take the next step on their energy transition journey.
When? December 01, 2023 (but the application is still open 👀)
🏔 World Resources Institute Internship program
What? Whether it be circular food systems, managing EU partnerships, or developing new forest alerts - there is something for every department at this global research organization with a presence in more than 60 countries.
When? Many positions, varying deadlines
🌊 Freshwater and Community Conservation Remote Externship
What? In this remote Externship, externs will translate global freshwater conservation issues into a local context, make them relevant and accessible to their communities through storytelling, and offer solutions to local or regional problems. ParagonOne provides a platform for National Geographic Society and The Nature Conservancy to collaborate for this externship.
When? January 15, 2024
🦋 2024 cohort of beVisioneers
What? Bring it to life with the biggest global fellowship. Starting with a 12-month intensive program, beVisioneers equips innovators aged 16-28 with the training, expert support and resources to bring planet-positive projects to life, regardless of their stage or financial situation.
When? January 15, 2024
🐛 CUSEF Young Leaders Scholarship 2024
What? The scholarship will enable eight impactful young leaders who are driving forward positive change to participate in the One Young World Summit 2024 in Montreal and join the global One Young World Ambassador Community. The annual summit convenes young leaders from 190+ countries to connect, share learnings and receive mentorship from world-renowned political, business and humanitarian leaders.
When? January 31, 2024
Click here for more opportunities shared by our CTD Lead Megan!
Do you have comments on the published pieces? Any suggestions for the editorial team? Any community story, creative writing, photograph, or cool professional opportunity you would like to share?
Click on the button below and tell us, mate!
Acknowledgments
Thank you for tuning in!
Have a happy holiday, and see you next year.
Don’t forget to subscribe and share with your friends!
Nara and Zuza