every summer it seems to get a little hotter. here in chevy chase, maryland, the air gets thick with heat and humidity. last year, nbc bay area reported that “earth recorded its hottest year ever in 2024.”

a few summers ago, hugo used to love to lay out on the stone patio in our backyard, and let the sun shine on his fur. i guess it was his way of sunbathing. but lately he has been spending much more time inside.

when we go for walks, he struggles to breathe. sometimes he just stops walking, turns around, and faces the direction of the house. he doesn’t seem happy until we get back inside where the air conditioning keeps everything nice and cool.

his face lets me know that he misses the old days. the days where he would spend hours chasing toys and sticks outside, or hanging out with other dogs. one day over last summer, he went to a dog park, just like the old times. it was another hot day, and – you guessed it – there were no other dogs there, it was too hot.

hugo’s discomfort doesn’t just happen when he’s outside. later in the summer, i noticed that hugo began to itch around his ears and stomach. ticks again. we took him to the vet where he was checked for lyme’s disease. lyme’s disease causes joint paint, fatigue and loss in appetite. when we noticed the ticks on hugo again, we washed him as well as we could and then headed to the animal hospital to get him treated. 

tick season has been extended in recent years to account for warmer autumn months. additionally the population of ticks has increased due to the warmer weather, which allows for much more breeding and the creation of more nurturing environments that allow ticks to live and grow. eventually, these ticks find their way onto host animals, just like hugo.

hugo has not only been bothered by the ticks, but the mosquitos that swarm around him. when we spoke to the veterinarian at the animal hospital, she mentioned two mosquito-related illnesses that can impact dogs like hugo: anaplasmosis and rocky mountain spotted fever.

both illnesses can cause fever, aches, nausea, and let untreated, have more serious symptoms. as the climate continues to change and shift to create more warm environments, we can expect to see changes in insect populations and associated diseases that they carry.

i look at hugo sitting comfortably in our air-conditioned house, and he appears to reminisce on the days when it was cold. in those winter months, his thick fur coat keeps him warm and protects him from the harsh winds. but while i’m writing this, it is still summertime, and he can barely enjoy a walk around the block, let alone sunbathe in the backyard. not being able to go out for regular walks and play means that hugo rarely exercises. this lack of exercise takes a huge toll on his health, especially his heart. i wonder if hugo is as worried as i am about his quality of life.

hugo probably has no idea what is causing these environmental changes. but he seems to know that he has been impacted. he has gained a lot of weight and become more sluggish from his lack of exercise. i wonder whether he can sense the abnormalities in the environment like the constant buzzing vector species and the thickness of the air caused by increases in pollution and carbon.

if hugo could really talk, i bet he would implore humans to make some changes. he would beg us to  engage in new behaviors and actions to bring an end to climate change. in the meantime, i suspect he just dreams about the day that his life returns to normal, and he can enjoy summertime like he did when he was puppy.

to learn more about how this type of climate policy is implemented across hundreds of european cities, watch the video above!

in one world, artisanal and small-scale gold miners (asgm) use toxic mercury that contaminates rivers and soils, poisons the fish — their main protein source, and threatens their health. even if the miners avoid inhaling mercury vapors during the gold extraction process, they will still likely consume it by eating contaminated fish from local waters, according to claudia vega, coordinator of the mercury program at the center for amazonian scientific innovation (cincia) in madre de dios, creating an inescapable cycle of poisoning. 

in another world, women like señora griselda zubizarreta and señora lucila huanca are demonstrating that economic necessity does not always have to conflict with environmental stewardship. they have stopped using mercury in their mining efforts, started selling mine waste (typically fine stones) as construction material, and are finding ways to regenerate the degraded lands. trees are replanted in their closed mines and supplementary livelihood options, such as cattle grazing and fish farming, are being explored.

these women are setting an example for the rest of the women-led mining concessions — a permit or contract that gives private companies the rights to extract minerals from public lands — in madre de dios, which account for approximately 30% of all mining concessions in peru, as reported by the united nations department of economic and social affairs. experts like gabriela wiederkehr-guerra, a scientist with the wyss academy for nature, see tremendous potential in these women-led initiatives, especially given the fact that the artisanal and small scale mines alone account for 38% of the global mercury emissions.

the mercury problem: understanding the environmental stakes

mercury, an incredibly toxic chemical that can be dangerous to humans, isn’t just found in old school thermometers. vega’s research has uncovered that mercury is found in dangerously high quantities in animals across mainland south america. “for example, (in one measurement of a) green kingfisher, we registered 72 parts per million,” she said, comparing that figure to a mean of just five parts per million in non-continental areas.

this finding is particularly alarming because mercury isn’t just any pollutant; it’s a neurotoxin with devastating effects. “mercury is one of the 10 most toxic substances,” vega said. “it can cross the placenta and affect fetal development, leading to severe deformities.”

cincia’s work has been groundbreaking for the region. “before that, any mercury sample had to be sent to lima or outside peru,” she said. “there was no capacity to do mercury analysis here. so this was the first thing that the program did, building local capacity.”

this research underscores why mercury-free mining practices represent such a critical innovation. “mercury is a liquid metal; it cannot just be easily destroyed,” vega said. “you can neutralize it by bonding it with something like sulfur, but it will stay there unless properly managed.”

the program has extended beyond research to practical interventions. “we worked with communities to identify fish with lower mercury levels and explored alternative food sources to reduce exposure,” vega said, highlighting the importance of community engagement in addressing environmental health issues.

inheriting & transforming a father’s legacy

standing on her family ranch in madre de dios, señora griselda zubizarreta points to her pastures where healthy cattle now graze on nutrient-rich grasses. just four years ago, the picture was dramatically different. zubizarreta and her sister, upon the death of her father and brother — the male pillars of the family business, faced a daunting inheritance: a struggling cattle operation with depleted soil and malnourished animals, alongside a small-scale mining operation fraught with security concerns.

“i started crying in the field because i didn’t know what to do,” zubizarreta said. “my father ran the cattle business. when he left us, it was different. i had to manage the business to survive.” 

community expectations were not particularly encouraging. “people didn’t think we could sustain the legacy,” she said. “they didn’t believe women could succeed in the industry that my father had built.”

rather than retreating from this challenge, zubizarreta leaned in, seeking knowledge that would allow her to maintain and transform her inheritance. “i can’t let this go,” she said. “even though it was tough, i felt i had to carry on what he left behind.”

balancing two worlds: mining and agriculture

zubizarreta’s operation bridges two sectors often positioned as antagonists: extractive mining and regenerative agriculture. though fraught with challenges, the mining operation provides essential financial support during lean seasons in the agricultural calendar. 

“we used the income from mining to strengthen the cattle business,” she said. “now, we reinvest the revenue from the cattle back into improving the farm.”

the mining side of her business isn’t without significant concerns. security threats loom large in a region known for its conflicts over gold extraction. zubizarreta said that “mining is risky and stressful. when we go to the mining site, we know that anything can happen to us.”

her team has transitioned to mercury-free extraction methods such as gravimetric tables, which use gravity to separate heavier material from lighter ones. this contributes to the preservation of soil health across the region.

zubizarreta’s business is among those who are a part of a critical shift in mining practices in this region where mercury pollution has historically contaminated waterways and fish populations, according to the national institute of health. this evolution toward more sustainable mining practices represents a rare bridge between immediate economic necessity and long-term environmental health.

despite her progress, zubizarreta’s aspirations lie far beyond mining. “in the future, i’d like to expand into something easier and more secure,” she said, considering her long-term future. 

the long road to mining formalization: huanca’s story

while zubizarreta seems to have found her niche in regenerative agriculture, señora lucila huanca is leading restoration efforts within her mining concessions and exploring fish farming as a complementary livelihood option.

unlike most mines in the region, which operate informally and illegally according to huanca, her determination to mine responsibly led her to embark on a grueling nine-year journey to formalize her operations. from 2010 to 2019, huanca navigated a labyrinth of unclear regulations, expensive environmental impact studies, and bureaucratic roadblocks. research shows that many miners in peru face rejection even after completing the required steps, leading to frustration and financial loss and even more scrutiny after formalization.

“we started in 2010 and only fully reached formal status in 2019,” she said, describing how she had to invest the equivalent of three kilograms of gold, worth well over $100,000, just to purchase her 300-hectare (approximately 741 acres) concession. “there were many instances where we paid for inspections, only to be rejected and forced to start over again.”

the formalization process required multiple environmental impact assessments, water and soil analysis, and hiring engineers to prepare technical documentation, each step costing thousands of dollars with no guarantee of success.

this costly process reflects a paradox in peru’s approach to regulating small-scale mining: the barriers to becoming legal are so high that they inadvertently incentivize continued illegal operations. 

“being formalized seems worse than being informal,” huanca said. “we face higher costs, with no incentives to make it worthwhile.”

the economic cost of ecological gold

huanca’s commitment to producing “ecological gold,” processed without harmful mercury, represents both environmental innovation and economic sacrifice in a market that doesn’t yet fully reward sustainability.

“we don’t use mercury anymore. we’ve proven it’s possible to mine responsibly, even if it’s not easy,” she said, despite facing a complex web of economic and regulatory challenges that often punish those trying to do the right thing.

the financial implications of her choice are significant. “the green gold is less attractive for people to buy,” she said. “it doesn’t look as clean as gold processed with mercury, and it’s more expensive to produce.” she argues that this creates a perverse market incentive where ethical practices come with substantial economic penalties.

these market barriers are compounded by regulatory frameworks that seem to hinder legitimate operations while allowing illegal ones to flourish. 

“we are supervised and threatened with punishment for any environmental issue. we must pay officials to come inspect twice a year. if not, it’s another fine. meanwhile, informal miners operate with relative impunity, creating an uneven playing field,” huanca said.

environmental challenges further complicate her efforts. climate change has intensified the region’s rainy season, preventing work for up to four months yearly. “from december until april, we cannot work because of heavy rains,” huanca said. “but, environmental risk assessments don’t take this into account. there’s no flexibility to understand that we’re paying fees even when we’re not working.”

perhaps most frustrating is the lack of distinction between responsible and irresponsible mining operations. “they put all miners in the same bag. there’s no clear distinction between those of us trying to do things right and those who aren’t,” she said.

this stigmatization extends beyond local perceptions. as ronny condor from the wyss academy, an environmental research organization, points out: “it’s not just the local view of madre de dios as a dangerous region; it’s the international perception as well. this reputation discourages investors and complicates efforts to market clean gold and other products from the region.”

despite these challenges, huanca persists, driven by deeper values. “it’s out of love for our employees and their families that we continue trying to innovate,” she said, embodying the difficult but essential transition toward sustainable mining practices in a system that has yet to fully value them. 

huanca has embraced reforestation and pisciculture, or the breeding of fish, on her previously mined lands, a rarity in a region where abandoned mining sites typically remain barren for decades. “we replant the land after mining, using native vegetation to recover the soil,” she said with optimism. “when you see the microorganisms returning, it gives me joy because it shows the land is healing.”

the way forward: innovation, research, and policy reform

zubizarreta and huanca’s stories highlight the growing role of women in peru’s mining sector. as a member of a women’s mining network called the regional network of asm women for madre de dios (red regional de mujeres mape responsable de madre de dios), zubizarreta said, “our goal is to encourage others to face these challenges and fight. it doesn’t matter if we’re fighting against the current. we have to stand together to be heard.”

through women’s networks, miners gain access to training, technical support, and the solidarity needed to navigate complex regulatory environments. “i understand that through a group of people, we can knock on the door of the state,” huanca said.

stakeholders working in madre de dios affirm that the way forward is to invest in formalization, eliminate mercury, rehabilitate mined lands, and support miners in identifying and implementing complementary livelihood activities. several innovations show promise:

1. agroforestry systems can restore degraded mining lands while providing economic returns. “agroforestry not only regenerates the land but also provides higher economic returns than monocultures,” wiederkehr-guerra said. “it’s a win-win for the environment and the community.”
2. multifunctional mining concessions that integrate extraction with restoration and alternative land uses. condor notes: “we work to connect local communities with international best practices. for instance, exchanges with colombian miners demonstrate how multifunctional mining concessions can diversify livelihoods, balancing economic activity with ecological responsibility.”
3. international knowledge exchange programs that connect local miners with global best practices. the women’s mining networks create opportunities for cross-border learning about sustainable techniques and business models.
4. value chain development for sustainable products from the region, including certified sustainable gold, agricultural products, and potentially eco-tourism services. “the brazil nut sector exemplifies how economic activities can coexist with forest conservation,” wiederkehr-guerra said. “however, challenges remain with market access and economic sustainability, which need to be addressed.”
5. mercury-free processing techniques that can be economically viable while protecting environmental and human health. huanca’s operation proves these techniques can work in practice, though policy support is needed to scale them.

as global demand for rare earth minerals continues to grow, especially those needed for renewable energy technologies, finding sustainable extraction models becomes increasingly urgent. the experiences of women miners in madre de dios suggest that solutions may not come only from outside regulators but from committed insiders willing to transform their industry from within.

acknowledgement: this story was curated with information from a university of notre dame-sponsored research trip to madre de dios, peru, as part of the regenerating ecologies and economies livelihoods lab led by professor richard “drew” marcantonio in partnership with the keough school of global affairs and cincia (amazonian center for scientific innovation). the interviews included here were translated from spanish and verified to be accurate by señora marta torres, outreach and education team lead at cincia.

weeding through the chaos of harsh conditions, there are those who emerge to plant new seeds. these are the ones who respond to crises with care, who cultivate life where others see loss.

monica denny, also known as mojo, is the founder of emerge ‘n’ seed: a homegrown operation where she grows medicine, food, and knowledge, all from her backyard in houston, texas. as a paramedic, a plant first responder, wife, and mother of five, denney started emerge ‘n’ seed to help the people she couldn’t reach in uniform.

read the full story by clicking on the presentation below!

over 150 chemical plants dominate the industry of the area and according to propublica, “black residents in southeastern louisiana bear a disproportionate cancer risk from industrial air pollution.”

gainard has not only lived in cancer alley her entire life, but her family is prominent within the community. many of the buildings in the area are named after her family, and it is gainard’s love for her family and community that keeps her motivated to advocate against the toxic fumes within the area.

the interview below has been edited for clarity and length. 

ciara thomas: how did you initially find out about the risks in your community?

ashley gainard: living in this community, you start to notice that some of the things we find normal aren’t normal. like all of these diagnoses. i have eczema. as a small child i had bronchitis as well as one of my kids. i thought it was something that was just passed down. my mama has not had breast cancer, but she has had several surgeries for benign tumors. eventually you start talking to other women and they’re like, “oh yeah, i had a hysterectomy,” “i had a miscarriage.” 

ct: wow, it’s so sad to realize that all of these health issues that are normal in this community are in fact abnormal to everyone else. 

our conversation led to how the community’s economy continues to be dependent on the factories that are hurting them. a site of considerable industry, cancer alley is home to 25% of the nation’s petrochemical production.

ag: the industry that is located in their neighborhood gives money to the community. 

ct: so, they know that this is an issue and they’re trying to pay y’all to be quiet?

ag: exactly. it’s hush money. it’s a tactic to keep the community quiet to not put them on blast. they’ll even visit the schools to teach students how they work in the factories once they graduate. you don’t have to be smart enough to get a degree, we’re going to teach y’all how to work with your hands. even though it might be a little dangerous working on chemicals, but you’ll walk away with a trade. it’s heartbreaking. 

gainard expressed her frustrations with the continuous cycle that is taking place, and the lack of people who are standing up against these injustices. one may ask why she would choose to stay in this community. one that is continuously harming her friends and family, and where the community often seems silent. 

ag: i’m tied to the life here. i was raised here in donaldsonville. my family was influential here, with many street names and buildings being named after them (jones and stewart). we even have a graveyard where my family donated the property so that the community can know its history of who the first black doctor was and other important figures.

my family members are buried there, and my mom and dad still live here. my great-great grandfather came here from haiti as a free man. i can still walk the land where my family started. i love it here, so that’s why i stay. 

gainard also notes that moving somewhere else would not necessarily fix the problem. across the united states, black and hispanic communities are disproportionately impacted by environmental issues like pollution. since the problem is so widespread, picking up and leaving doesn’t necessarily work as a solution to many people from marginalized communities. communities like gainard’s face deeply personal issues which are very intentional and the only way this can change is if all communities not only recognize it but also act. 

when asked about the contributions that she makes in her community to fight the pollution in the air, gainard brought up the organization she founded called “rural roots louisiana”. 

her organization focuses on “fighting environmental justice, empowering [the] youth, building stronger communities, and promot[ing] social equity.” gainard takes pride in her work in advocacy and is trying to be the voice for her community. she hopes to one day push  the factories that are producing the pollution in the air out of her community. her final thoughts are that “the voices of the people should matter more than the profits of polluters.”

this video is a creative informational video about how food quality and diversity has decreased over time. prior to the 1900s, people ate a greater diversity of plants and animals. but as farming practices changed, monocultures and modifying plants to increase food supply for the growing populations significantly decreased the number of different plant and animal species that we eat and the nutritional value of the plants.

overall, this resulted in more people with nutrient deficiency disorders and weaker immune systems. we wanted to share this information with the world in hopes to spread awareness and encourage people to make changes to their diet and improve their health.

the wilting bush is right in front of a sitting area, a tupperware full of homemade cookies in the shapes of trees on the table. a pitcher of iced tea, minty and fresh, made just for us on a small plot of land adjacent to the embarras river. it reminds me of my grandparents’ farm. the colorful set of wind chimes strumming chords into the air carries the same cadence of those hung from the trees around my grandmother’s vegetable garden.

this is someone’s backyard, someone’s home, but the greenery that makes this place so vibrant is dying because of herbicide drift. patsy hopper is one of many farmers living in the rural midwest. she’s angry about what she sees, yet approaches anyone who will listen with kindness and hospitality.

hopper’s story calls into question the experiences of people who make their way on small farms, like many of my family members, the many that aren’t aware of the dangers under their noses, and the corporations behind mass herbicide misuse. 

we see firsthand the damages of herbicide drift. the curling, dehydrated leaves are evidence of attempts to bolster crop output for higher profits. according to prairie rivers network, farmers and corporations in the row crop industry have oversaturated their fields with herbicides, often disregarding the scarcely enforced regulatory guidelines. 

in a six-year comprehensive study, prairie rivers network showed that herbicides are drifting more than a mile from the source, threatening human health, trees, crops, and pollinators, with ripple impacts through the ecosystem. this affects the environment and people, like hopper, their livelihoods, health, and quality of life.

hopper tells us that she used to use herbicides like most farmers in central illinois, but went organic after learning more about the dangers and seeing the effects firsthand. this puts her in a minority. only 1% of farms in the united states are certified organic. 

as a descendant of many generations of family farmers, on both my mother and father’s sides, i consider my ties to this damage. how much of my own family uses herbicides? misuses herbicides? have bushes like patsy’s, dying and brittle, in their backyards? 

if you know a farmer, you know what it means to them, to be in touch with the land. however, the nature of farming in illinois has changed dramatically over the years. according to the illinois department of agriculture, since 1959 the average farm size has more than doubled. more than 49% of illinois farmers hold other jobs, treating farming as their secondary occupation. large scale family farms and non-family farms account for the bulk of farm production. for most, farming alone is no longer a sustainable way to support a family.

yet these small farms, scattered between the sterilized sites of the larger industry, are personal. there are the rows of hay bales we would climb and run along as kids, the corn fields we would weave through in a game of hide and seek, the trees we learned to climb. there are the backyards where the tired farmer takes a breath after a long day amongst the corn, the vegetable garden that feeds a family. these places are under threat, and the threat is largely invisible, “hidden in plain sight,” as prairie rivers network says in their 2024 report. 

greenpeace international’s “4 myths about industrial agriculture” discusses how industrial agriculture pushes the idea of “feeding the people,” using the narratives of the actual farmers who earn their livelihood from the land. however, the reality of corn production in the u.s. tells a different story.

according to the usda, 45% of corn grown in the united states is used for ethanol. in illinois alone, the department of agriculture records that 274 million bushels of illinois corn are used each year to produce about 678 million gallons of ethanol– more than any other state.

beyond diverting crops from food production, ethanol contributes to environmental damage. the us energy information administration states that ethanol and ethanol-gasoline mixtures burn have higher evaporative emissions from fuel tanks, contributing to smog formation and air pollution. rather than feed the people, the crop industry is growing gasoline, and increasing pollution while they’re at it.

hopper tells us how heavy branches drop out of her trees on a windless day. the dull thud of a rotted life plucked from something once beautiful and full. she grieves the ghostly falling limbs, whole trees dying from the chemical infection. i consider this as we say goodbye to her. she insists we take tea and cookies for the road. hopper’s humanity stands in contrast to the detached systems of corporations, illustrating their distance from the individuals impacted. individuals, kind, good people, are affected. 

who is responsible for herbicide drift — the individual or the institution, the absentee land-owner farmer or the hired hand? many farmers may not even know the impact of herbicide drift. does my family? blame moves in circles — from the government to the corporation, to the individual, and back again — but proximity to the damage is often closer than we realize.

after all, patsy hopper, a dedicated and informed organic farmer, is the outlier. we need to heed the message, the warning, of the echo of limbs falling from trees on a still afternoon.

milan, italy is recognized as a global leader in design, art, and business. in the city’s bustling center, one can see leonardo da vinci’s last supper alongside the fashion houses of prada and giorgio armani — all while cooling off with a cup of gelato.

but talk to the city’s residents and they’ll reveal a secret that will make you drop your spoon. behind milan’s glitz and glamor lies a difficult truth: the city suffers from the most polluted air of any eu metropolis, a status that threatens the city’s future.

numerous factors make milan vulnerable to elevated levels of air pollution. italy’s second-largest city is home to much of the country’s heavy industry and agriculture. both sectors produce substantial amounts of pollution from waste and burning. milan is also situated in northern italy’s po valley, a low-lying area surrounded by mountains that trap dirty air. with a lot of pollution with nowhere to go, milan’s unique economic and geographic features turn it into an air pollution pressure cooker.

polluted air isn’t just a cosmetic issue. valentina bosetti, a professor of climate change economics at milan’s bocconi university, notes that air pollution can have a lasting impact on our mental and physical health. the world health organization (who) agrees, stressing that exposure to particulate matter can increase the risk of strokes and heart disease. the american lung association echoes these claims, while also linking air pollution to higher rates of cognitive impairment and alzheimer’s.

it’s health concerns like these that compelled anna gerometta, founder of the milan-based nonprofit cittadini per l’aria (citizens for the air), to push for change. as an adult, gerometta recalls that she was aware of milan’s air pollution but didn’t give it much thought. that changed when her daughter experienced dermatitis and allergies that worsened with exposure to milan’s polluted air. newly motivated, gerometta threw herself into the issue of air pollution in northern italy and started cittadini per l’aria.

after founding cittadini, gerometta launched her groundbreaking no₂, no grazie! (no₂, no thank you!) campaign, one of the first air pollution citizen science projects in italy. gerometta began by gathering over 200 milan residents — a process she described as “not easy” — and helped them place small air quality sensors near their homes, schools, and workplaces.

she then collaborated with researchers to transform the sensor data into moving visuals. cittadini’s interactive maps show not just air quality, but also the estimated increase in hospitalizations, heart attacks, and other conditions expected due to pollution.

in 2023, the no₂, no grazie! campaign exploded to 1500 volunteers across italy, with a motto of sai cosa respiri? (do you know what you’re breathing?) gerometta’s success has won the support of international environmental organizations, with patagonia and wwf italy supporting her fight for clean air.

despite cittadini’s achievements, gerometta notes that air pollution remains an “invisible issue.” individuals can rarely see, smell, or feel particulate matter in the air — as a result, it’s easy to ignore. a generational divide also exists.

at a recent cittadini event, several young activists discussed their decision to leave milan because of concerns for their children’s health. however, the science surrounding air pollution has accelerated past the ability of researchers to communicate said science to people of all ages.

professor bosetti at bocconi university has witnessed this gap firsthand. bosetti is a leading climate change researcher, but she has often heard air pollution described as a “fifth-order problem.” she has since abandoned her air pollution research, describing the results as too depressing.

however, bosetti notes that progress is possible towards cleaner air. milan’s city government has already implemented notable changes: when air quality declines, the city introduces low emissions zones and lowers speed limits. but air pollution is not a tangible issue, and these measures have resulted in pushback from italian citizens.

this three-way tug of war between activists, the government, and the public can make the issue of air pollution feel intractable. the success of the no₂, no grazie! model lies in its ability to assemble disparate groups of people — including nonprofits, researchers, and citizens — to make a change.

in 2023, the city of milan sponsored cittadini’s data collection efforts. this raises the hope that the no grazie! campaign will be used not just to inform and educate, but also to improve local policy.

milan is a place that never stops running, as if the city is constantly indulging in italian espresso. but at night, the city’s tension fades. it’s times like these that i ask locals how they feel about the air. it seems everyone knows someone who has moved away because of pollution.

anna gerometta’s activist friends have moved. professor bosetti lost a colleague who became fed up with long stretches of unhealthy air. i’ll leave this city eventually, too, as part of a cohort of young people leaving partially due to pollution.

we aren’t alone. from mexico city to lahore, india, air pollution represents an under-discussed threat to public health.

if what you see concerns you, talking to a friend or neighbor can help raise awareness. for those looking to make an even greater difference, the no grazie! campaign offers a model as radically collaborative as it is impactful. it only asks us to consider a future of smog and respond: no, thanks. no, grazie.

in the heart of manitoba, a prairie province in canada, there exists community filled with the narratives and wisdom of its indigenous elders. this narrative explores the experiences of four elders from distinct communities, each offering a brief narrative on coexisting peacefully with mother earth. their stories serve not only as a representation of a vibrant cultural legacy but also as an essential lesson in caring for the environment and demonstrating resilience.

joe zaste: a lifetime on the water

at 88 years old, joe zaste carries the legacy of both his cree heritage and french-canadian roots from his father, a fisheries entrepreneur in red deer lake, manitoba. growing up, joe’s life was deeply entwined with the community, where cree and saulteaux languages filled the air, and his family’s home was a hub of local celebrations. after a stint in the army and years working on power dams across manitoba, joe now spends his retirement in winnipeg, surrounded by a large family that spans generations. his story is a testament to the blend of traditional indigenous lifestyles and modern canadian life, encapsulating the spirit of resilience and cultural fusion.

geraldine shingoose: a survivor’s advocacy for healing and justice

geraldine shingoose, a 67-year-old saulteaux elder, grew up in the bush near hudson bay, shaped by the land and the harsh realities of the muscowequan residential school. her early experiences of cultural suppression and personal resilience have driven her lifelong advocacy for indigenous rights and healing. now a grassroots grandmother, geraldine is a vocal member of her community in winnipeg, actively engaging in dialogues to heal and empower through sharing her story and supporting others. her journey from the traumas of residential school to influential advocacy highlights a profound transformation, making her a beacon of hope and change.

fred boucher: life’s work in harmony with nature

fred boucher’s early life in barrows, manitoba, was rooted in the rich traditions of the cree, learning from his grandparents the essential skills of living off the land. at 68, he reflects on a life guided by the principles of sustainability and respect for nature, which he now passes on through his work with the sapotaweyak cree nation. his narrative captures the essence of a man who has seen the evolution of his land and community and strives to maintain the balance between progress and preservation. fred’s dedication to his community and environment is evident as he continues to serve, ensuring medical and essential supplies reach those in need across the province.

helen settee: education and empowerment through indigenous knowledge

at 62, helen settee, an anishinaabe elder and educator from winnipeg, has dedicated her life to bridging the gap between indigenous knowledge and mainstream education. her career has been marked by significant strides in integrating indigenous perspectives into educational curriculums, advocating for a more inclusive approach that respects and honours her heritage. helen’s journey from a dental assistant to a key figure in education administration exemplifies her commitment to empowering future generations through education. as a cancer survivor, her resilience extends beyond personal challenges, influencing her advocacy work and her role as a grandmother, continuously nurturing her family and community.

the stories of joe, geraldine, fred, and helen are a testament to the resilience and wisdom of our indigenous elders. their lives and teachings are crucial narratives that contribute to our understanding of and reflection of how to live in harmony with nature, as well as with one another. through their voices, we learn the importance of community, resilience, and the enduring wisdom that guides us toward a more sustainable and just world.

wildland fires have long been both a friend and foe to indigenous communities. while fires can bring destruction, they also play a crucial role in maintaining the health of ecosystems. as someone who grew up on an indian reservation, i have witnessed firsthand the delicate balance between these forces and the resilience of my community in the face of modern challenges.

this story explores the intersection of traditional fire management practices and contemporary innovations to address wildland fires, drawing on insights from community elders, fire management professionals, and local activists.

preserving tradition: the wisdom of controlled burns

for generations, indigenous communities have practiced controlled burns, or prescribed fires, to manage the land and prevent catastrophic wildfires. these burns help reduce fuel loads, promote new growth, and maintain the health of ecosystems.

i had the privilege of speaking with elder gerald banashley, a respected leader in our community, about the significance of these practices.

“controlled burns have always been a part of our way of life,” elder banashley said. “they help us live in harmony with the land and ensure the survival of both the people and the environment.”

elder banashley recounted stories of how controlled burns were traditionally conducted with great care and respect for the land. these practices were not only about fire management but also about preserving cultural heritage and fostering a deep connection with nature that has many connections. 

modern challenges: the impact of climate change

while traditional fire management practices remain vital, the reality of climate change has introduced new challenges. increased temperatures, prolonged droughts, and changing weather patterns have led to more frequent and intense wildland fires. to better understand these modern challenges, i spoke with laramie higgins, a fire management professional who works with the bureau of indian affairs (bia).

“climate change is exacerbating the conditions that lead to wildfires,” higgins said. “we’re seeing longer fire seasons and more extreme fire behavior, which makes it crucial to integrate traditional knowledge with modern technology.”

higgins emphasized the need for collaboration between indigenous communities and governmental agencies to develop effective fire management strategies. this includes incorporating traditional practices, like controlled burns, with advanced technologies such as remote sensing and predictive modeling.

community resilience: adapting and innovating

growing up on the reservation, i witnessed the strength and resilience of my community in the face of wildland fires such as the rodeo-chediski and wallow fires. despite the challenges posed by climate change, we have adapted and innovated to protect our land and people. local activist randall burnette, who leads a youth fire management program, shared his perspective on the importance of community-driven initiatives.

“our community has always been proactive in addressing fire management,” burnette said. “we’re educating the younger generation about both traditional practices and modern techniques to ensure that our knowledge is passed down and adapted to current conditions.”

burnette’s program combines classroom education with hands-on training in controlled burns, fire suppression techniques, and the use of modern firefighting equipment. the goal is to empower the youth to become future leaders in fire management and environmental stewardship.

a balanced approach to fire management

the story of wildland fire management on indian reservations is one of balance — honoring traditional practices while embracing modern innovations. by combining the wisdom of our ancestors with innovative technology, indigenous communities can continue to protect and preserve their land for future generations.

as elder banashley wisely said, “fire is a powerful force, but it is also a tool. when used with respect and knowledge, it can sustain us and the land we call home.”

in conclusion, the integration of traditional knowledge and modern innovations offers a promising path forward for wildland fire management on indian reservations. by fostering collaboration, educating the youth, and adapting to new challenges, we can ensure a resilient and sustainable future for our communities and the environment for generations to come.