Sunday, December 22Maximizing our Collective Impact

Author: Elson Bankoff

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Ecosystemic and Junior at Sidwell Friends School
Bits and Pieces: Editorial Board Perspectives
Notes From the Editors

Bits and Pieces: Editorial Board Perspectives

Oftentimes, our editorial board is hard at work corresponding with authors and editing pieces, so we have limited time to contribute even though we really want to! The following are direct responses and insights into Kristy Drutman’s interview from some of our Editors. Elson Bankoff – Editor-in-Chief Kristy discusses the obstacles she has faced with internet culture. She talks about how hosting an Instagram account as an independent platform can be challenging with the ever-changing trends and passions of the public, especially as a creator focused on intersectional climate action. There are a lot of strangers who expect a lot from her. It can be difficult for her to keep up and appease everyone. Social media is an incredibly overstimulating place, and Kristy finds it important t...
In Conversation with Kristy Drutman
Interviews

In Conversation with Kristy Drutman

Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? What's your background? I'm Kristy. I am a Jewish and Filipino environmentalist who is very passionate about discussing climate education, using online media platforms to educate and inspire people about the different environmental issues going on in the world and how they can take action. I'm also the co-founder of the Green Jobs Board, which is a job platform that's focused on trying to get people opportunities for work and employment that's also focused on social impact and environmental change. So a lot of my work centers around thinking about how to use media and storytelling to bring more people into the conversation, take action and get involved with addressing the climate crisis. So that's a lot of my work on my platforms. And then ...
A Bill to Establish the District of Columbia Youth Environmental Sustainable Development Council
Community News & Policy, Resolutions

A Bill to Establish the District of Columbia Youth Environmental Sustainable Development Council

By Elson Bankoff It is time that the youth get a say in local policy relevant to sustainable development. Similar to the mission statement of the Los Angeles Youth Climate Commission, the D.C. one would seek to uplift narratives, provide a forum for passionate discourse, and learn from diverse perspectives. These benefits would exist within the context of fighting environmental inequality; making a structural change to our city, connecting with youth and all residents, collaborating with people in positions of authority, and providing spaces to organize and educate our peers. The benefits of establishing a Youth Environmental Sustainable Development Council (YESDC) stretch beyond the existence of a Youth Advisory Council or a  Purpose:  The Council develops plans and objectives for t...
Posters to Shatter the Echo Chamber!
Art & Multimedia

Posters to Shatter the Echo Chamber!

Below are some posters to print out on lawn signs, fliers, and wheatpastable paper to put around the city. Contact seasncontact@gmail.com to help us put these up in D.C. or in your school! Here is the link to all of the files: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1e2w0ij17cgb-fjieV9YXU-sbW5KX4vVO?usp=sharing By Lia Nathan L By Kidist Getachew By Elson Bankoff By Jasmine Flowers By Jasmine Flowers By Sam MacIsaac By Kidist Getachew By Sam MacIsaac
We call for a Renewable Revolution: The Future of Ecosystemic
Notes From the Editors

We call for a Renewable Revolution: The Future of Ecosystemic

With mayoral, city council, and national elections coming up, coupled with the IPCC reports, the Ecosystemic editorial board has decided to launch city-wide campaigns that highlight environmental injustice and demand solutions. Many editions to follow will inform local populations on issues and publicly release the youth’s demands through powerful visuals and narratives. We need these four to six years to solve the climate emergency and begin the Renewable Revolution. The terms that our mayors, senators, and congresspeople are about to serve will determine our futures. If you are a high school student in any state in the US, we need your help and leadership.  The campaigns will consist of brainstorming issues that are already prevalent in a city, town, or state, and finding pass...
In Conversation With Dan Schrag
Interviews

In Conversation With Dan Schrag

Conducted by Audrey Wu and Elson Bankoff Audrey: Anything you want to add or tell people as an introduction?  Dan: I get to interact with undergraduates and graduate students. I have a class that I teach right now that’s open to anyone at Harvard. There are first years and students who are mid-career master students at the Kennedy School, students in their 60s, and everything in between. What’s really interesting is in this particular issue, I think young people, and I mean before college, high school students, have added a huge amount of energy to this whole issue in lots of interesting ways. So I’m really curious to hear what you guys want to talk about. I want to hear what you think about some of the things I study and teach about because I’ve been doing it for a long time, b...
Bits and Pieces: Editorial Board Perspectives
Notes From the Editors

Bits and Pieces: Editorial Board Perspectives

Oftentimes, our editorial board is hard at work corresponding with authors and editing pieces, so we have limited time to contribute even though we really want to! The following are direct responses and insights into Dan Schrag's interview from some of our Editors. Elson Bankoff, Editor-in-Chief Dan acknowledges the fact that climate change is a global collective action problem, and how humans do not handle this well. We are very tribal and can see this through observing all sorts of geographical, religious, political, and ideological divisions. He claims that global collective action is really hard because it goes against our nature. Elson responds with the following: We see so much evidence of this. I think collective action goes against our nature, but in some respects, defines...