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    Anti-racism 4

    2 months ago Anti-Racism Matters, Health & Wellness, Life Wisdom, Mental Health, Podcast, Social Justice, Sustainability Matters

    Podcast episode 2 ❤

    Originally published on Medium

    “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” — Maya Angelou

    This quote by the queen Maya Angelou always gets my spirits up whenever I read it out loud. And I hope it brings you joy and relief in knowing that you are not alone, change is coming, and failing is a learning process that is part of life. 

    On today’s episode, 

    There are times that require us to be more mindful, more conscious, and to have a sustainable mindset. The energy shifted last week when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won! But we still have a lot of work to do. 

    70 million people (55% were white women) voted for evil rather than humanity. These stats are concerning, especially for women of color. All women are the source of bringing life and wisdom into this world and we do raise nations whether patriarchy and capitalism like it or not. 

    There are male LGBTQ parents raising their children better than women these days. If these white women are advocating for hate, evil, white supremacy, and racist and fascist systems, then these are the communities and children that will require better anti-racism and anti-white supremacy education. 

    No more leaving it for the BIPOC and parents to deal with it alone. Unity in education, reconciliation, and emancipation must be the goal for all of us; while also uniting to fight for our planet, equality, and justice. Racism, capitalism, and white supremacy are deep-rooted evils seeping into our unconscious minds (learned in schools, from parents, society and our ecosystems) and we need to work on conscious actions (sustainable within and out) to eradicate them from our minds. We need to embrace anti-racism education in schools, books, workshops. This is vital, especially during these times of unavoidable change in our minds and surroundings. 

    White People Love Racism More Than They Love Humanity

    White people overwhelmingly chose racism, inequality, hate, and white rage in 2020.medium.com

    Here in Montreal, Quebec, there were a lot of white supremacists and racists showing their support for the orange bigot. Yep, those on Facebook, Twitter and IG. Which is not surprising because we have the same issues here as in the USA. We unfollowed a lot of people this year and it was a blessing to be unfollowed by those that were triggered by our content. We blocked many racist bigots. It is what it is; negativity and toxicity attract each other. The more we engage, the more we feed into it. Be conscious of your own BS too, we all do it. 

    Meanwhile we should also hold others accountable. If they say, do, post or share racist remarks, or anything that does not align with basic human rights, our planet, and changing this corrupt system, then what’s the point? 

    It is all of our responsibility to report injustices, fight climate change by helping to build new systems, and defend marginalized groups and those who are voiceless. Our actions must teach a lesson by not lowering ourselves to the level of these toxic people. We must not act like them. Hold your truth and fight for what’s right, but do not feed negativity and toxicity by doing the same thing as them. That’s also unsustainable for you and others. We need to flush colonized, racist, and fascist mindsets out of our brains and surroundings. In other words, your courage, your voice, your resilience and the truth will always bother those who are rotten inside and need to work on being better humans. 

    It is Inhumane Not to Care About Human Rights, Black Lives , Any People of Color, Women, Justice, Elderly, People With Disabilities and Climate Change. These all matter a lot. _AO

    We should not forget that this is only the beginning. We must continue to educate, organize, strategize, and hold people, government leaders, policy makers, and corporations accountable. 

    But we should also focus more on positivity and being more self-conscious of our own actions, how we are towards others and ourselves too. Our minds have been conditioned and programmed for a very long time. 

    We must let go of the energy that is no longer serving us, in order to continue growing and moving forward.

    We all have to heal in a way that also helps heal our planet and others. 

    On the second episode of the podcast, it’s me being honest about WritersYep in the present, and talking about ways to feel good while some of us are in lockdown or semi-lockdown. Especially with the winter blues on the horizon. And pandemic fatigue is real y’all.

    As an empath and single mother, in this episode, I’m also sending you some healing, positive energy, and encouragement to help you cope in these rough times. 

    Stay safe, wear a mask, keep your distance, wash your hands often, and take care of your mental health first. Remember to be kind to your mind, to your planet, and to others. 

    Thank you for your support!

    Love and Light,

    _AO.

    If you liked this blog make sure to subscribe, follow us, leave us what you think in the comments (let’s start real conversations) and share it with someone who needs to read this today. Edited by Vanessa H.

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    3 months ago Anti-Racism Matters, Science & Environment, ScienceYep, Social Justice, Sustainability Matters

    We only have one planet Earth. And Black Lives Still Matter!

    Originally published on Medium.

    The greediest, wealthiest and most polluter corporations/companies along with their consumers, us. I swear it is a struggle, because we all need to change our mindset and our consumption habits in order to begin letting go of excess expenditure and take action to reduce our ecological footprint (click on this hyperlink to find a glossary of key words to learn from the global footprint network).

    “We are stripping the earth of its natural resources at a rate that’s increasingly leaving the planet barren and inhospitable.“ — according to the environmental nonprofit the Global Footprint Network.

    We now only have 7 years to reduce CO2 emissions by 1.5 degrees celsius, or we will be facing the severe consequences of climate change and our inevitable extinction.

    This absolutely can be prevented if we UNITE and get to work. I’m going to start making more videos on our channels AngieBlog, WritersYep and most of the podcast episodes on Your Story Matters , alongside other climate leaders and BIPOC who have been doing this for a lot longer than we have. Our content will be mostly about sustainability, forms of creativity (writing, art, design, photography, music, movies, bookclub, yoga, consciousness) through adversity, mental health, social justice, climate crisis and human rights. Our story matters, and my team and I want to amplify the voices of the voiceless. Our goal is to inspire, educate and create a diverse and inclusive space for others to feel comfortable to share their story. Come join us, and let’s support each other. ❤

    First, let’s remember: we need to start boycotting polluted companies, and those not changing their practices to be more renewable and less toxic. For us, it is important to be conscious of our own consumptions.

    As the Earth overshoot day solutions mentioned:

    “The past does not necessarily determine our future. Our current choices do. Through wise, forward-looking decisions, we can turn around natural resource consumption trends while improving the quality of life for all people. “

    If you look at the map, you have access to see the ecological deficit/reserve, total ecological footprint, ecological footprint per person, total biocapacity and biocapacity per person (save and share this article ❤, help an eco-mom spread the word). In other words, by having access to this data we can all take control of our own consumption habits and take action by being an active agent reducing our own carbon emission and holding others accountable. Yes, just like you are holding yourself accountable for being anti-racist and checking your bias. The same thing that we must do daily, is to reduce our own personal co2 emissions and collectively.

    How can you ensure this work is collective? Use the power of technology and social media! Share with your communities your story so that others can learn from you! #ReduceC02challenge. Use the hashtag #Yourstorymatters and let’s do this! Tag me and my team, and I will share your journey alongside with us and our community ❤

    Reduce my own Co2 emissions? Start small, then go big.

    Start by:

    • Stopping buying items you don’t need on Amazon.
    • Supporting local businesses!
    • Opting for a bamboo toothbrush.
    • Purchasing self-care utilities from companies that produce low carbon emissions.
    • Educating yourself. Subscribe to our monthly newsletters about sustainability, creativity, mental health support, books to read, and collabs with businesses we are currently supporting, and join our eco-warrior community!
    • Bringing your reusable bag to the grocery store.
    • Saying NO to plastic bags and straws. Using less plastic in general.
    • Driving less. Try biking, walking or taking the bus (most of them are functioning by hydrogen now).
    • Saving and investing your money (our power as the people).
    • Encouraging your local store to change their plastic packing (show them the map above and the world clock ;).
    • Bringing your reusable coffee mug and water bottle when you got out (alongside your reusable mask!).
    • Buy local, and don’t buy fruits wrapped in plastic! (I’ve been removing the plastic wraps and leaving it at the store and letting their manager know why wrapping a banana is ridiculous and it’s killing our planet. Yep, be bold and let them know what you learn in your own sustainability journey).
    • Buying from black-owned or any BIPOC businesses helps to build wealth for them. As a result, it creates a more diverse, sustainable and equitable system that benefits all of us, and the planet. Also, it contributes to the abolition of white supremacy and this racist, fascist, and capitalist system. By removing their source of funding (our tax money) you control your own money and invest it on the right side of history.
    • Save money to take care of you and your mental well-being. Especially, during these uncertain times. The more you take care of yourself and focus on improving your lifestyle, and taking your money/power back, you are dismantling and decolonizing this system already. Remember, the oppressors want you to be silent, tired, and dependable on their games and they will fight you! They will always find ways to keep you manipulated. They have done it for centuries. It is important to be educated on this history, so that you can become confident in your decisions and take action accordingly. Don’t let them bring you down, and please don’t ever give up! Rome was not built in a day. So, be mindful of your time and well-being.
    Photo by Markus Spiske

    Another way to reduce your own Co2 emissions, is by starting to give to the sustainable, renewables, eco, and black-owned businesses [Black owned businesses 1 , Black Owned businesses 2 (Montreal) Black owned businesses (Canada)]. You honestly save more money and get better service, plus amazing quality. By shopping at these low carbon emission companies, we are providing them with the right ammunition to start abolishing the old system.

    This system was designed to benefit others, and their toxic and disgusting practices. Which they keep protecting themselves with our tax money which keeps them in power. This is why the system lies and does not give us the right tools through education; because that was their way to keep us oppressed and naive. As a result, their greed, colonial and white supremacy strategies are what has been affecting (mostly BIPOC, minorities, marginalized and oppressed individuals) our physical and mental health, our ecosystems and our planet. This is why history needs to be rewritten. The real truth. So that others can have a chance to act accordingly in the future. We are in jeopardy, and we have a way to prevent it, but it must be done collectively, and in unity to fight for what’s important and what really matters.

    We also need to address that not everyone has the privilege to save money, or be able to afford to change their habits to be more sustainable. I don’t want to be the cause for more eco-anxiety than we are all already experiencing. This article is to provide solutions and ways to create action. One day at time, and one person at time.

    It is definitely a huge issue that many communities face. The world clock has definitely created some new anxieties that were already an issue before. Some people are not convinced that displaying this is the most effective solution. That it is really scary and daunting to see how much time we have left until “our doom”, for people to walk past every day, especially low-income people and marginalized communities that are contributing the least. Not by option though. If companies and corporations change their global economy system into a circular economy, by creating affordable, equitable and sustainable initiatives (so we all can contribute to reduce C02 emissions), then, we all have a chance to reduce their ecological carbon footprint.

    Infographic: source

    In terms of climate change impact, the question that we need to ask ourselves is: “who is this clock actually serving?” The largest contributors to climate change are big corporations, however, they are not the target audience for this display or the ones who will be most impacted by seeing this. Which I agree with. Instead, it will be poor people and the communities of color that are currently experiencing environmental injustice.

    Which is why we ALL (those who are privileged to do so, we can help the voiceless by amplifying their stories and voices) have to continue by sharing our stories and putting pressure on these companies, corporations and hurt them where it needs to. WITH OUR MONEY. FREE WILL and OPTIONS are FREE. Yep, you can choose where and who you put your money on. Isn’t that amazing? You can contribute to dismantle this system by connecting, supporting our brothers and sisters, being an ally, sharing and choosing where you put your money. Saving, investing and having a side-hustle along with your part-time/full time job is also another way that you can control your own destiny, and still help others and your planet at the same time.

    As an eco-warrior mama, I believe that spreading awareness and helping to mitigate the climate crisis in any way we can is vital. Which is why we have become new climate reality leaders. I’m committed to sharing my knowledge as an environmental scientist and presenting sustainable solutions (trained by Al Gore) and climate change solutions.

    However, we have been seeing issues within the climate community of putting so much pressure, blame, guilt and responsibility onto consumers and actions like the world clock. It makes the climate crisis, which is already a source of eco-anxiety for so many impacted communities, feel so much more hopeless. Particularly for those who don’t actually have the resources to be able to make very big tangible changes. We believe that instead of placing so much responsibility on the consumers to be the ones to “fix” climate change. The funds that went into creating this performative gesture could have instead gone towards initiatives to make climate adaptation more accessible and inclusive or to fight environmental injustice. Same issues, but different scenarios are happening in Montreal, Quebec. Recently they have put 5 million dollars into French language initiatives. In other words, funding discrimination, racist, capitalist and white supremacy paid from our own taxes. Here are my two-cent thoughts about this.

    What are your thoughts?

    Breonna Taylor and Her Family deserve Better.

    Read this article from Jamil Smith (Happy Birthday by the way! It’s beautiful you wrote about Breonna Taylor injustice and disrespect from the racist US supreme court on your day. This is a great article, and I’m sure her family, her friends and those who knew her and loved her (who are in rage right now) will appreciate your kindness and courage to voice the truth in the Rolling Stone magazine.). After I heard the news, I made a vlog for my brothers and sisters to remember that we need to take breaks, and that this fight is not over!

    180 Black-Owned Businesses to Support (USA)

    All “good things” have to end too. It’s time and we all know it. Educated it enough this past 6 months?

    Thankful for the other day; planned, decorated, and enjoyed a good day with my mom for my Sofía’s birthday. We are getting ready and in the process, in our own way, to say goodbye to my mom. She’s weaker and getting more tired every day. This is the hardest part. To let go. Especially, when you no longer have the choice. This is why we’ve decided to start being more grateful for what we already have. Be more kind and proud of always learning through adversity and struggles. That life is very short and it matters a lot of how you spend your time and how you treat others. My mom is/was an amazing person. She taught us the meaning of being more present, and to treasure every moment. We are going to miss her a lot.

    Life is very simple. We have just been conditioned to believe that this is all there is. The educational system programmed us into learning to accept lies, and how to keep ourselves colonized and oppressed. That only “white” , “Male”, “straight hair”, and “wealthy” are the righteous privileged humans. Therefore we must try to be just like them, or get killed, or die trying. And it is now a crime to be a black woman or any woman of color. We are powerful and they know it. The system has conditioned us to live on a non inclusive, unequal and unsustainable world. It needs to change now.

    We are very aware that all we have learned is a lie right? Trying to sugar coat this very racist, white wash, capitalist system designed to keep us in mental slavery. We need to start to get out collectively and in unity. These systems we live in and we all pay so much for just living… all designed to keep us with the illusion of “freedom” .

    All the “isms”, mental health, inequality, White privileged and BIPOC traumatic experiences are the result of systemic racism and white supremacy.

    Mental slavery is our generation’s blueprint. We can change that, together.

    We are depriving ourselves of actually living to our potential… because of money, greed, hate,chaos, murdering by police brutality, hoarding money, buying things that you don’t need.

    It’s OUR job now to live more eco-friendly and change our buying habits, consumption products, and of course work on being anti-racist, abolish white supremacy and decolonized our mindset.

    How ridiculous was Labor Day weekend, huh? It’s in our faces that the inequality is very clear in this system and societies around the world. Now during a world pandemic is more like an insult and degrading. Plus, ignorant of the fact that there are people dealing with poverty, hunger and serious homelessness that has increased more during this year.

    Except in countries where homelessness and poverty does not exist. It’s insane to know and see that some countries can make sure it’s people are safe and not be exposed and in danger during COVID-19 rising again. Instead our countries we are living in, are investing in trying to get back to “normal” and trying to keep the old system going. Which by now, you are very aware that is not the way anymore. I hope so. Because millions of people are dying. While the system and those who control it, are trying to keep white supremacy and racist systems going. They are literally letting us know by their actions and through media, the old system are worth more therefore to keep in power at all cost, than actually saving human lives. The world is designed to keep us divided and now, we all have to work on staying together and making sure our rights are not being violated just because they can. Here is a video to give you some hope if we are back into lockdown and why our sacrifice will not be in vain if we do.

    Stay safe, wear your masks and remember to be kind to your planet, to you and others every day. Because we all depend on it now.

    *Remember we are still raising money for Lebanon, Beirut. Here is why.

    Here is the link: https://gf.me/u/ynwzwz (Donate and share)

    Thank you for your support!

    Love and Light,

    _AO.

    If you liked this blog make sure to subscribe, follow us, leave us what you think in the comments (let’s start real conversations) and share it with someone that needs to read this today.

    Edited by Emma P❤

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    You can view and read the journey : IG, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Thrive Global, HITRECORD and of course, here 🙂

    Where are we going next? Podcast @your_story_matters and bringing solutions with other change makers, leaders plus amplifying those who are voiceless. Creativity for intergenerational justice unleashed. Stay tuned!

    All Rights Reserved to WritersYep ©

    4 months ago #GiveBack, Anti-Racism Matters, BioScience, Chemistry, Money, Science & Environment, Social Justice, Sustainability Matters, Yeppin

    This Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) report is vital because it can support and inform the decision-makers of companies, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, as well as the public each year.

    Photo by Carlos “Grury” Santos

    In the journey of becoming Anti racist, (yes, as a latinx and mix-indigenous/Dominicana, I have lots of decolonization, dismantling of white supremacy, and bias to acknowledge, heal, and to overall change behaviours), decolonizing the mind is not easy work. It’s very deep and personal. And at the same time, fighting for climate change as an environmentalist, writer,founder, single mom and women of color, is on another level. 

    But it is necessary and painful work that I want to do and encourage you to do the same. We all have inner healing, and dismantle colonized mindset, oppressed, gentrified and discriminated traumas to let go and embrace new information and change. I know change is not easy, we are creatures that love comfort and safety-net. However, real life is not meant to be easy. 

    We all must work and learn to find joy through the chaos. _AO

     Earth was not created and all its organisms living on it, without going through painful and destructive experiences. There was a lot that our planet endured and our ancestors had to go through and adapt to a fast changing environment to get to where we are now. It really is up to us, to do something about what was NOT done well in the past. We have to fix it, all of us. We must research, find the truth and educate ourselves from what we all know by now, was a lie. History doesn’t repeat itself, but intergenerational trauma induce and a cycle system built to benefit some and zero for the other does. 

    Honestly, if 10 years ago, someone would have asked me if this was ever a possibility to do all of this… I probably would have said “Heck, no way”!

    This is where we are in a worldwide pandemic: 

    • We are on the rise of coronavirus again, and those who are more affected are trying to promote already their idea of a vaccine (which estimated time for a proper vaccine to developed and certified tested, has to be until the end of the year of 2021), that most probably is just test-runs; and we the healthy (working outside and being exposed to the virus or the survivors of the virus) are the subjects . With no scientific or result evidence that they work, but yet, political leaders are using it as a beacon of”fake-hope” to keep the public calm. 
    • Children and teachers risking their lives for the sake of “education”, parents working are either from home, or out with the public where they are exposed to the Coronavirus because their jobs allow them to feed their families and keep the mental-slave economy going .
    • Some countries and cities are still on lockdown since 9 months ago. The world, is on fire while most of us are getting richer and others are trying to survive injustices by police brutality, racism, misogyny, patriarchy, white supremacist, homo/transphobia, a pandemic, climate change and mental health issues. 
    • Traditional media and those who are in power, are making it very clear and not so subtle anymore, for us to STOP questioning their actions, the status quo, the system that keeps them in power and their so called “laws and policies”; which we all know needs to be re-written and changed. As well, it is not really advertised or spoken of, the long term effects this vaccine can create on our bodies since this virus has no cure as of yet. And the long term effects after getting the virus and surviving is another job on top of everything else going on in the world. Listen to the stories of those who survived. Data and numbers cases of survivors who are still having long term symptoms, and probably prolonged health issues, which were not a problem before they got covid-19.
    • Seniors, Children, Indigenous, Women, Parents, Single parents, Blacks, LGBTQ+, Transwomen and all people of color are suffering and dying faster than our fellow white counterparts during this pandemic. Our white peers are enjoying the privilege that their ancestors left behind (white supremacy, misogyny, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, patriarchy, capitalist/colonial mindset, Zero sum game bs, rapist, child molesters, police brutality, discrimination, segregation, oppression… I can keep going but do your research “on whiteness” ) for all the rest of us to deal. Now, 400 years later, we are demanding and fighting for justice, for our human rights and building equitable and sustainable systems that enhance our nations and our planet. With or without white people help. It will be amazing that our white peers become our allies. Because you do have the advantage of being born with the prefered skin color for now and use it for good; which is what we have been asking for decades. It feels good to benefit and profit from those who are suffering right now isn’t? Or educate yourself about systemic racism and white supremacy instead of experiencing it everyday? How was your vacation in the middle of a world pandemic? How were you treated in the hospital this year? Yep, check your privilege. Because Enough is enough! WE ARE TIRED! It’s exhausting trying to survive in a world designed Anti-black. Which is ridiculous. We are the by-product of multicultural and mixed races for many generations now. 
    • More jobs, the ability to rent a place in a safe neighbourhood, the right to get proper health care, financial assistance and mental health support are becoming less accessible than it was before for people whose skins are different than white. Those who denied this statement, please educate yourself, people are dying and we don’t have the time or the mental strength anymore to applicate to your wounded ego or feelings. 
    • There are those who are not able to find jobs or work right now; at the same time trying to survive themselves and provide for their loved ones with any means or ways they can. How are you surviving these days? 

    Honestly, I say and write thank you every single day, because sometimes I know it is a privilege to meditate or yoga, or take a walk for a few minutes. Without feeling guilty of not being a slave working for an economy and system that’s designed to keep us in control and letting them get away with horrible things done to us, the consumers and Earth, our home. 

    For now, let’s focus on those who need to be held accountable and how to start taking action. Tracking their actions and adding tax accordingly. It’s the fastest and most effective way to get to the core of most problems on this planet right now and making sure our human rights and health are not affected by their corrupted actions.

     We are paying and working, supporting companies and industries that are sick, toxic and twisted controlled by wealthy individuals. They also make sure they cover their tracks by paying enough to traditional media and politicians in order to keep the masses (us) distracted (using our psychological and intergenerational trauma to keep us oppressed and controlled. That’s why it is important to decolonize ourselves.Our minds can be easily manipulated if we don’t work on our mental strength too. ) from political bs, entertainment bs, news (keep us divided by lying and using racist and white supremacy tactics) and media power (them). Because the government and policy makers already knew, and always have known how bad climate change will be for all of us. Especially the most vulnerable and communities of people of color. They have the best scientists and research people on payroll that we pay them from our own taxes. They know the policies and regulations are mandatory for a reason. But humanity got distracted for the past 10–20 years. 

    Here we are. World pandemic, fighting for human rights again! and now, dealing with climate change impacts all in the same year. 

    2020 is not the problem, is what was already designed to benefit those who profit over inequality, and through the oppression of the most vulnerable communities. We see it through how children’s rights are being violated by ICE immigration and concentration camps. Humans rights violated in China, with genocide camps having muslims and other people locked up. The violations of Women’s rights in the ICE facilities recently reported through a whistleblowers (Thank god that you exist, I know is bad what you do because you get the most heat for speaking up and we are so grateful for your bravery. The universe always rewards the most stubborn souls. Especially those who are meant to show the light and truth. Integrity, compassion and honesty are vital these days. Don’t give up). 

    Money can buy mostly everything. But I’m telling you there are three things it CAN’T: Integrity, our mindset and hope. These grow, change over time and for the right reasons, giving the right circumstances and environment. Just like a diamond. 

    However, let’s focus on these corporations and large companies’ gadgets and how they need to report to the population their practises and their initiatives on lowering their environmental and health impact. It’s our basic human rights since we are the citizens paying to live in these countries that are supposed to keep us safe. Let’s start with:

    The TRI Report method can ensure for all of us citizens of the country we reside in, that manufactures and industrial systems, are held accountable in the goal to reduce CO2 emissions by 1.5 degrees celsius for the next 10 years. We all know by now, due to Covid-19 and a worldwide pandemic, that certain areas and locations are more vulnerable and exposed to chemical hazards than others. That climate change impact hasn’t stopped because of the Coronavirus. We can clearly see it through many disasters and now, the fires in California.

    Meanwhile, some manufacturers and facilities operations are still working during these times too. Due to the non-stop work of these facilities, creating a TRI report for the EPA is now more important than ever; to have to produce a TRI report will ensure that these companies and manufacturers take accountability for their actions. It will keep them aligned with the world goals: to reduce CO2 emissions, plus better management of their release of toxic waste into the land, water, and air.

    Image credit: EPA (United States Environment and Protection agency)

    Why is TRI important?

    TRI tracks the management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. This report is very important because it must contain these manufactures and facilities year’s- worth of releases to air (fumes, smoke, dust), water, and in the form of hazardous chemical waste. These companies can maintain their credibility and make sure that their actions align with greener standards. They can also create a leadership-type role, which other companies can view as an example for their future environmental protection policies within their organizations. The positive movement by providing this TRI report can create better acquisition opportunities and better advancement for the organization as well as their internal affairs.

    Now, there are three criterias that a facility must meet in the report:

    1. Specific industry sector e.g., manufacturing, mining, electric power generation). Note that federal facilities must report regardless of industry sector if they meet the other two criteria.
    2. Employs 10 or more full-time equivalent employees
    3. Manufactures, processes, or otherwise uses a TRI-listed chemical in quantities above threshold levels in a given year.

    Sources: EPA.

    The TRI program has expanded significantly since its inception in 1987. The APE agency has issued rules to roughly double the number of chemicals included in the TRI to approximately 767 individually listed chemicals and 33 chemical categories. This includes the PFAS chemicals added by the National Defense Authorization Act in December 2019. As a result, the types of chemicals covered by the TRI list of reportable toxic chemicals can vary from year to year.

    In general, the Toxic Release Inventory requirements are to report chemicals covered by the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program; those that cause one or more of the following:

    • Cancer or other chronic human health effects
    • Significant adverse acute human health effects
    • Significant adverse environmental effects

    image:EPA

    Facilities that meet all of these criteria must:

    • Submit a TRI Form R for each TRI-listed chemical it manufactures, processes, or otherwise uses in quantities above the reporting threshold. (Note: Facilities may be eligible to submit the shorter Form A if they meet certain criteria. See the TRI Reporting Forms and Instructions for details.)
    • Submit each TRI form to both EPA and the state in which the facility is located (or to the appropriate tribe, if located in Indian country).
    • Submit each reporting form using TRI-MEweb, EPA’s online TRI reporting application.

    If a facility does not exceed an activity threshold for a listed toxic chemical, or is not in a covered NAICS code, or does not have 10 or more full-time employee equivalents, it is not required to report under EPCRA Section 313. However, such facilities may still want to keep records of the amounts of listed toxic chemicals they manufacture, process, or otherwise use, in order to defend against any claim that they failed to report.

    The parent regulation of TRI and the general goal of this parent regulation is in order to help with TRI reporting rules. In 1986, Congress passed the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) to support and promote emergency planning and to provide the public with information about releases of toxic chemicals in their community. Section 313 of EPCRA established the Toxics Release Inventory. (source: EPA)

    TRI is for industries primarily including manufacturing, metal and coal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste treatment. Most recently, the APE Agency has reduced the reporting thresholds for certain persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals in order to be able to provide additional information to the public on these chemicals. (Source: Office of Disease Prevention and Health promotion) For example, Mobile sources emissions, which account for approximately 50% of all air toxics, as well as smaller sources such as gas stations and dry cleaners are not included in TRI.

    As mentioned in the Climate Reality Training, “rebuilding with green jobs”, we must put people first, produce green jobs, create a zero carbon society, equity building, and take climate action. Express the need of policy and educational awareness by:

    • Putting people first.
    • Ceasing bail outs for fossil fuels.
    • Fostering a just transition to zero emissions.
    • Focusing on creating careers and economic opportunities in areas with most need.
    • Social, Human Rights, and environmental justice
    • Climate change solutions and greener spaces
    • Embrace companies and organizations that provide services in sustainability and they create equitable, clean and sustainable practices within their organization and brands that inspire their consumers and their communities to thrive and too.

    In other words, TRI properly reporting and including EPA programs can make sure these facilities and companies are held accountable while we are all in the process of creating a greener and healthier sustainable planet. All of this on top of surviving a world pandemic, climate change, human rights and social justice movement.

    In one of the training, we had to read an article and express our solutions for climate action. I loved the article:

    9 REASONS TO HAVE CLIMATE HOPE IN 2020

    For this exercise, I added a 10th reason to have hope for the climate, and something I’ll be potentially presenting in order to create more awareness and hold big polluters accountable for their actions each year here in Montreal, and in the rest of Canada.

    I don’t live in the US, but their EPA program and their TRI mandatory report is something I believe is important to enforce and create more awareness. The need to educate more the YOUTH about these programs, climate change, anti-racism, anti-white supremacy, living more sustainability and give them the tools to also educate their peers and families is vital. I’ll definitely be contributing through writing, art and sharing more educational content about climate change and social justice through our channels and podcast episodes, on why Montreal, Quebec, or Canada doesn’t require this report to be mandatory, yet in the USA is vital for obvious reasons of course…

    Either way, we will be going into more depth about climate change solution, sharing the story of other companies doing the work, sustainability, why is important to build equitable sustainable and cleaner energy systems, Greener cities, build and amplifying Black and BIPOC Wealth in all systems (education, media, health facilities,agriculture, government, justice system,etc) . It is necessary to keep in check or create programs that track big corporations and manufactures that need to be held accountable for their toxic waste release into land, water and our air in areas of minority and most vulnerable communities around the world.

    We want change, and it starts from those who think they have it. The “power to the people” is still very valid and freedom of speech was created in order to defy those in power who we know and clearly can see are not good for our nations and our planet. Our mixed races are beautiful magic and it is time for all of us to embrace our diversity, uniqueness and unconscious inner strength as we unite forces to do what’s right for our planet and ourself. 

    *Remember we are still raising money for Lebanon, Beirut. Here is why.

    Here is the link: https://gf.me/u/ynwzwz (Donate and share)

    Thank you for your support!

    Love and Light,

    _AO.

    If you liked this blog make sure to subscribe, follow us, leave us what you think in the comments (let’s start real conversations) and share it with someone that needs to read this today.

    Edited by Emma P❤

    ★ Support us on Patreon

    You can view and read the journey : IG, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Thrive Global, HITRECORD and of course, here 🙂

    Where are we going next? Podcast @your_story_matters and bringing solutions with other change makers, leaders plus amplifying those who are voiceless. Creativity for intergenerational justice unleashed. Stay tuned!

    All Rights Reserved to WritersYep ©

    6 months ago Culture, Life Wisdom, Science & Environment, WritersYep

    Yep, human rights activism is vital now but so it’s your mental health and wellbeing.

    Originally published Medium.

    Mental Health month, better known as ‘May’, passed by so quickly.

    And here we are dealing with two viruses. And both is up to us to prevent the spread of coronavirus by wearing a mask outside(especially if you are going to be in contact with a lot of people.), keep your distance and wash our hands often. The other one is a 400 years old sick and twisted virus of the mind, still killing innocent people and violating human rights that can potentially destroy nations, racism. While some are affected horribly by all what’s going on; there are other that are not so much. The power of the internet and technology.

    HERE IS WHERE YOU CAN REALLY HELP. Do better and be a better human.

    Link in our bio for more info being updated.

    Remember, Mental Health Awareness and Black Lives Matter and Equal, Environment, and Human Rights movements shouldn’t only be a focus for one month, or a week and just dismissed as a trend.

    Most of us end up having to guide ourselves through some form of continuous mental, financial, or physical struggle, past trauma, and grief in some point in our lives. Especially, times like these of uncertainties. We need to help each other. This year has taught me some hardcore and intense life struggle. But it also it’s being teaching me to be grateful and do my best to help others.

    For some, it’s has being a lifestyle. A constant, daily struggle; hunger, lack of resources, not being able to pay bills, or pay rent. Discrimination, injustice and fear of just walking down the street now… What has been highlighted more recently by the media, is those going to work and trying to save lives, without having the proper equipment at work to keep them safe; now hopefully they do. Someone getting sick or taking care of someone who is sick; working at home while trying to make it through a world pandemic. Get shot, killed or just targeted because of your skin color. No matter which lens you use to see what is happening right now, we are all suffering; perhaps even dealing with some form of mental illness. However, our black, indigenous, latinos, trans, lgbtq communities and our are in danger due to police brutality and their LIVES MATTER A LOT we need to help.

    This is now our everyday life.

    “Just be humble, care MORE.. but not only about yourself.” — AO

    Yep, we need to acknowledge our mental health more, and we need to address it. We need to actively find ways of healing (to heal traumas and re-learning happens here), reach loved ones when days get too hard, and above all, support each other. Self-care is necessary more than ever. We need our inner-strength, and our collective wisdom, to be able to help our brothers and sisters who are suffering a lot. We need to be kinder to others. Ourselves, yes, primarily, but we also need to collaborate, support, and create new solutions for a better future for us as well as our planet.

    There are days that you might feel super amazing, and there are other days; days where you are either too tired, leaving you feeling mentally exhausted and drained. That’s when you need to step back, take a break, and recharge. Then, get back on the horse. This is going to be a long battle, but even more so for the most vulnerable and minority communities. Which is why we must help as much as we can and be kind.

    These days being locked down may be causing you to dread waking up to start the day, and leaves you feeling helpless about what the future might hold right now.

    For The Graduates of 2020

    Speaking of what the future holds, there is a specific group that didn’t quite get the celebration of their futures as they expected to; our 2020 graduates.

    You are all our hopes and dreams. Declutter your mind, look what lies ahead, keep learning and stay curious. I hope you’ve learned better and decided to do better and change the world.

    I would like to say on behalf of the Writer’s Yep team, Congratulations Graduates of 2020! I know that it must be difficult to graduate through Zoom (my daughter graduated last week from preschool it was sad. We threw her a party after the school’s Zoom party. You know, keep things light and positive even, when it is pretty damn hard). Please checkout our channel and mine vlog to continue your creative, writing and digital education. More experts, scientists, entrepreneurs, change makers, sustainable leaders will be joining us. These videos are for you, our communities of diverse writers, eco-warriors, creators, my friends, and family. I’ll be releasing more videos on weekends finally on a consistent basis, finding new team mates to help out. This single mama has lots on her plate just like everyone else. No complaints, I’m grateful and so should you if you’re reading this ❤ Stay tune 🙂

    My advice to all the graduates: Absolutely, never stop learning, especially now.

    1. Learn new skills that can be done online and start applying it in real-world situations. Only way to see if you are good at something is to try and do it alot. Dale let’s go! What do you love to do?
    2. It takes self-discipline, and it is hard work. However, no matter what it is, it will be fun once you get the hang of it. The best part? You get to grow and discover more about yourself and your talents.
    3. Don’t forget to keep engaging with your friends and family, all the while building your network (social media can help you with this aspect, however, be careful with how much you consume of it and what/who you consume from), while you pursue your dreams through these uncertain times. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people. The digital cyber world awaits! Just be cautious of trolls and social media sucking energy vampires. Yep they exists and you know who they are because you are thinking about them right now. Send them love and stay away.

    Don’t let fear stop you, keep moving forward even when you are scared.

    Chances are, you are doing the right thing. Have faith in your inner genius and trust me. Knowledge is your superpower right now. Your brain is eager to know and learn more. Stay curious and be kind. When you lack positivity and openness, all opportunities get cut-off; people may begin to act fake towards you, and you may start lashing out at others.

    When you are contributing positively to the world and those around you, it’s almost as though the universe rewards you for it. There is nothing more joyful. I’ve come to learn this through my own intense hardships and life-experience. The best feeling is knowing that you have helped someone else. Be grateful for your life and for what you have; because some people are wishing to have what you are currently taking for granted.

    “Check yourself before you wreck yourself!” -Ice Cube Here is the song if you feel like listening to it while you finish reading the rest of the article 😉 .

    If it wasn’t for music, my daughters love and willingness to learn and encourage me to use more creativity, I would not have put the work in to finish my book :).

    It is in my own experience that kids are kings/queens of putting their creativity to good use — if you let them show you. Try it, turn off everything, leave some books and things for your children to work with. Watch magic happen. Enjoy the moment and record it. I feel like doing this more than ever to keep as a memento of their process. To at least take a photo or video, write something, or even paint the moment. It feels really good to look back, and see how much you’ve grown together. The people in my life are the reason you are reading this article. Thank you to my friends (new ones made through my channels), my team, and my family, who have been very supportive of my journey as a single mother, writer and creative entrepreneur of WY.

    Without their support, I wouldn’t be here right now. If you need help, reach out. I’m here too 🙂

    Do you find the days are getting shorter for some odd reason? However, I have never felt more alive. My family and I are definitely more careful and not as anxious as we were in the last four months. I’ve come to the conclusion that anxiety, depression, and stress surfaces when we are too overwhelmed and dig deep in sadness which for me comes from the outside environment. My point, work on your inner-strength, find what makes you happy (make a list), keep yourself safe; self-love.

    The time spent with my girls homeschooling, while I do work from home, are the best moments. I look forward to them each day. I do only have them half of the week as we are co-parenting. Meaning, my best work and when things really can get planned, strategize to work faster, and schedule “mommy time”, “work-writing-time”, “homeschooling-time, “meal prep-time”, get work done and delivered, is usually on the weekend. There are rest times during the day, but no days off. Which is alright. I love what I do, and I can’t wait to discover more. And help others along the way. If you need help with Writing(content or book), editing, photography, content creation, digital marketing strategy and branding consultation reach me ❤ Creativity and connecting you with others are my middle name 🙂

    I’ve come to realise during quarantine life, in order to find clients, network, keep in contact, plus reach and collaborate with other brands is harder during the week. I’m trying to find the balance between working at home and being ‘on’ as a mom. For now, what has worked so far is finding different activities for toddlers to do at home, such as crafts. I schedule and plan more of their day now more than I ever have before.

    Finding structure for them means that I have also come to appreciate more flexibility in my own work. Self-discipline is hard, but trying to maintain it while having two children asking for attention, and being in the middle of a zoom call with a client? Do your best and don’t be so hard on yourself. Some clients and employers are understanding, and others, not so much. Just keep going, if you know you have a talent or something you know how to do, put yourself out there. Start working or educating yourself about money and how to make it from home. I’ve added the educational documentaries on Tuesday nights during dinner, trying to push it to two more days now.

    I have also been learning through my daughters during times of lockdown.

    • I’m grateful for the no phone rule, television, and just playing while learning together.
    • Talking, asking questions, processing information and questioning.
    • Let CHILDREN ASK QUESTIONS. Use those opportunities to learn together!

    They have shown me they are going through a lot too. Especially, if we are.

    My point is, don’t underestimate their well-being through all of this too. Just like you are with yourself, after they go to sleep. You need to care for your well-being. Children are images of us. If our patterns are wrong, then we are teaching them how to treat themselves, as well as others. If kids are acting racist and doing horrible things to others, stop blaming others or their environment. Their behaviours are learnt from home and can be corrected from home too.

    They are living through this with you, not for you… If that makes no sense to you. Time to reassess and take a break. Children are the future and we clearly have under our own fingertips ways to work and stay at home. We all see, read, listen through podcasts, comment, like and share our opinions very well…

    Just hopefully in more appropriate ways by now…

    We all reading our books, educating ourselves (I hope) , and reach, help our sisters and brothers and start showing our support. #BLACKLIVESMATTER

    Anti-Racism & Speaking Up is Necessary. (weekend read)

    WE all had our “me” time, binging Netflix (this outlet helps with my creativity on difficult days when I feel challenged to write different stories ;)).

    Other recommendation: @hitrecord best place just to be yourself whether you are creative or not. Go be you and let the world know WHO you really are and what you like. So many beautiful projects to do and contribute. It just feels good to see what the human imagination can do.

    Let’s create things differently than we use too. Carve out time to find yourself and discover what you want to do. This is necessary to be able to thrive and start making your own income or work from home. This can be done for different brands or companies that encourage online work. There are a lot of online jobs, it might take a while to find, but stay consistent and don’t give up. Someone out there needs your skills and talents.

    I’ve been more active and strategic on social media these days than ever before, because there is a need to stop ✋🏽 the hustle, be productive, work hard, and do what you have to do. All the while you are trying to survive a freaking world pandemic! Also, my brothers and sister are suffering and dealing with not only grieving losing someone from Covid-19 but also now getting killed for being of different color. NO MAS!

    I know it is my duty as a mixed, dominican/native and empath, to contribute and help heal as much as I can; because I know I’m very privileged to be able to work and do what I love from home. However, I also worked really hard for that privilege, nobody gave me nothing. All I’ve done and my team has been in order to build the diversity and inclusion creative online space, that we could not find living and trying to work or find jobs as creatives in Montreal, Quebec. A new immigrant, non-french speakers or writers, women with disabilities who speak only english or spanish and people of different backgrounds than Quebecers. Yep, we are the rebels defining the status quo of a city that thrives on white supremacy, racism and discrimination.

    We are done and we want people to feel heard, and express through arts and content creation what they feel and tell their stories #yourstorymatters. Perhaps your life lessons can inspire someone someday to be better and do better. We are working on new ways to make this happen. Stay tuned 😉

    For now, try to get some rest and work on one thing at a time. The world is uncertain right now and slowly getting itself back up — Or not… Which is why you need to keep informed and educated. I pray everyday — that we all get to make it out alive.

    Painted and design by Angie Abreu Olivo. (Also, you can see how I motivate myself to get writing done too :))
    By Angie Abreu Olivo

    Use creativity to help you to move forward. For many years, I’ve been hiding the fact that I paint, and even dance. I do both of these activities because it feels good. Especially, when I’m anxious, sad, feeling overwhelmed, or depressed. It’s not a happy-land all the time, but I’m still grateful for all that I have.

    Lately, I’ve started to embrace my hidden talents, and my loved ones have been really encouraging. I’ve also been implementing my own creativity into these activities when I’m extremely happy. Which is one of the things I’ve come to love about working from home while having my girls around :). Yep, thanks to my daughters — are my biggest supporters. We have a bond that has grown to be so strong during quarantine. I’m really grateful. When it’s break-time, I write my heart out because it helps me heal, and I hope it helps you too.

    Next on the to-do list, is to add more of my poems and designs. So far, I’ve received good feedback from my community about them. I hope that they keep you inspired, and that I will make the time to continue creating art and writing full-time, while I homeschool my two toddlers. I want to do all that I can so that they remember these terrible times in a different light. I want them to remember it as a happy time. Filled with learning, playing and watching how I work hard to build my business with my team. Thank you for being here, and for all your support. My daughters and I really appreciate it. 🌻

    I believe this word is the most negative of words to use.

    Listen, human. Yes, you, reading this.

    Some days are good, and you can be “productive”…whatever that means to you these days. I know you’ve felt the pressure before when you didn’t wake up at 5 am on a Sunday on Mothers’ day, but, hey! You still get work done, and enjoy your time with your loved ones. Trying to do what other leaders and successful people do is good, but to a certain extent. Here, I explain why in more depth.

    My point is not to stop and let yourself forget your priorities and obligations. It is great that you recognize the need to follow through with your commitments. However, you need to understand your whole self. You need to know when it’s time for your mind and your body to be “on”, and when it’s time to turn them “off”.

    You are not being a procrastinator when you’ve worked for 72 hours and are finally able to relax. You will have people preaching the nonsense that procrastination is for unproductive and lazy people. They have no idea who you are, what you’ve been through, and what you do for a living. It’s not their business, it’s yours.

    Productivity is very different for a lot of people. So next time you judge yourself, or add negativity into your head, just be cautious of this mental pattern that is trending on social media and in our society. Then let it go. It prevents you from growing. Trust me. I am learning this the hard way.

    If you still feel the pressure that you didn’t do enough by those you surround yourself with (clients, workplace.. certain vampire energy suckers — watch out for those!), you need to access your inner strength and process how their actions are affecting your well-being.

    Make sure you choose yourself, and start to let go of those people. Their expectations are not yours if they make you feel like crap. Chances are you’re following the wrong crowd or it doesn’t align with who you are; your values or who you are meant to be in the future. That’s okay. Not everyone is meant to be on your journey.

    These 7 reminders I keep in mind whenever I’m feeling too overwhelmed or stressed the F$& out (sorry, not sorry — I’m a single mom and I need to be truthful and transparent to you as I am on social media. I want to start doing the same for my readers 🌻)

    1. If you work for 16 or 72 hours straight and go to sleep at 2–3 am, please do not feel guilty or that you’re not enough when you sleep in. You put in your hours already.
    2. Work and do things at your own pace. Give your brain and your emotions a break when you need to. For real, set up an alarm system to get off work gadgets. Turn off the phone and computer, when you need to be present and in the moment. Appreciate, and be grateful for what you already have.
    3. Set clear boundaries with others.
    4. Respect your sleep schedule (mine is a working-process these days…), healthy meals, consistent exercise, and meditation time.
    5. Discard negative thoughts, and toxic people from your life. Especially those people who are there just because you have history or they were part of your past. It does not mean that you need to accept them for your future. If you know they are toxic and they haven’t changed their toxic patterns, it’s time to let them go. Prioritization is 🔑
    6. Focus on one thing at time. This is again, a working process. I have to remind myself these words 15 to 20 times a day. It helps me to calm down when I finish homeschooling, meeting with clients, writing emails, and completing all my to-do-list, home duties/mom duties/work-from-home duties all in one day 🙂 I wouldn’t trade it for nothing).
    7. Love yourself and who you are. Love what you’ve accomplished so far during these past 4 months. It’s hard to survive in a world that we already knew was selfish, greedy, unkind, disgusting and just horrible to our planet. Remember, now it’s the time to start thinking, re-learning and letting go of old patterns in order to move forward to a better future.

    Hope these help. It’s time to change the old and work (at your own pace) towards a better you and future for others. We are in this together.

    Here are Black Businesses to support. I’ll be adding more from canada stay tuned on the next articles, YouTube channels and Podcast 🙂

    Stay home, be safe, be kind to your planet 🌎, to you and others 🦋.

    Essay written by Angie Abreu Olivo -Founder, Creative Entrepreneur and Environmentalist Single Mom. Edited by EP.

    All Rights Reserved to WritersYep ©