My degree is in Environmental Studies. In the past, I have been hesitant to use the term “environmental” or “environmentalism”—hesitant because this word and its associated movement come with meanings that carry baggage for some people. But rather than avoid using the term, I seek to expand the definition. In fact, if there is one thing the Rose Hip Road Trip is about for me, it's about expanding the definition of environmentalism, expanding what qualifies as environmentalism, and expanding who qualifies as an environmentalist.

Make no mistakes--the Rose Hip Road Trip is environmental research. I have chosen to use the term “Earth-Based,” however, because environmentalism tends to come with theoretical and philosophical imperatives that can be divisive and exclusionary. I do not want to separate my work from “traditional” definitions of environmentalism, but I do want to differentiate it momentarily as I consider the difference between trying to fit lives into philosophies, rather than generating philosophies from experiences of everyday lives. Do not get too caught up in the subtleties of these differentiations ... and I will try not to either!

A huge piece of preparing for and shaping this project has been and continues to be reviewing definitions of environmentalism, environment, and environmental practice. As a student of the environment, my work is inter-disciplinary, multi-disciplinary, trans-disciplinary. This means that I focus on a problem and learn the skills that I feel are necessary to address that problem. This is different than a disciplinary approach, where one learns a particular way of perceiving the world and that viewpoint and the tools used to perpetuate that viewpoint become the focus of one’s work. On way isn’t right or wrong. Both are necessary. Both are options. The one I've chosen is the one that makes sense for me. 

As a result of my approach (if you haven’t figured it out already), I explore and work with languages, tools, and perspectives from many disciplines. Some of them might seem contradictory--but they're not. This internal diversity will become especially evident as time goes on—especially in this literature review and further down the line when I launch my podcast and begin discussing some of the patterns that are emerging. If you're not already, I hope that you will follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram, as I will share resources (videos, art, music, etc) on those platforms better suited to those platforms that I consider equally important to my literature review. As you can tell, I define "literature" broadly. But I digress ...

For me, the origin of environmentalism is Ecology. Eco- comes from the Greek root (pronounced echo) that means “home”. –Ology is rooted in the term for study. Ecology is the study of the Home. Ecology as a science is one of my favorite subjects because it makes sense to me. The most cutting edge ecological models and theories prove continuously the interconnectedness between everything and the planet's endless push to collaborate with itself. I desire data that supports ecological collaboration, thus supporting the possibility that collaboration is a more "natural" competency in human being than competition. Such data supports my belief that we’re actually here to connect with one anther, support one anther, and love one another. To be clear, it isn’t neat. It is chaotic and dynamic and messy—and that is part of what makes it so beautiful.

As I continue to provide various definitions of environmentalism, I want to invite you to consider that this research project, specifically, is about how people I interview choose to align their everyday lives with the planet and why. This work connects to previous work on this subject and it's my ethical imperative to create a literature review with narratives as diverse as possible. As a result of this and as a result of my knowledge and understanding as an environmental researcher, I feel it is further my ethical imperative to explore the light and the shadow of environmentalism and the light and dark reasons why people are brought to and/or engage in Earth-based practices. I want to hold that environmental awareness is based on the Earth's incredible capacity to support ecological landscapes whose depth seems almost infinite. I also want to hold that environmental awareness also develops because of massive destruction to the planet and to many species, including our own. Some of the information I’ll share during the course of this project could be overwhelming. It’s important to remember that environmental destruction, climate change, and mega-extinction are not the only piece of the story—but if I didn’t share that perspective, I wouldn’t be telling the truth as I know it. I wouldn’t be sharing the fullness of my own motivations and the motivations of many I know.

I have a master’s degree in International Peace Studies. My thesis was about the effects of having an ecological worldview--of thinking as "Nature" thinks. I didn't develop an ecological worldview becase I went through a master's program. But going through that program helped me to return to the ecological worldview I've had for my entire life and perhaps in past lives.

Tomorrow I will share some specific definitions of environmentalism for your consideration. As always, thank you for reading.

Peace & Blessings