as of late, the word is that glass bottle beach is a great place to spend your sunday afternoon collecting vintage glass, or even just as a place for a casual stroll along the brooklyn coastline. in the words of a headline from a popular online newsletter  “the new yorker,” glass bottle beach is a treasure trove. yes, us humans are looking towards this pile of trash a place to find treasure. what does that say about the values of our society? 

the way we speak about certain things can often weigh heavy into how we perceive those particular things, and even further, may reflect how we treat them. in the case of glass bottle beach, unfortunately i don’t see the garbage going anywhere any time soon. but i do see the conversation surrounding it, changing. 

just as my friend suggested to me that one day— to check out glass bottle beach because it’s “cool,” i do the same to you. i suggest that you go, but go with a critical eye. i suggest you go for a walk along the polluted coastline with a loved one, and wonder about where the trash will end up after the next few waves wash it away. allow your visit to glass bottle beach be a wake-up call to how much waste you produce, because we all have a part in this, you just have to play it.

when i embarked on the trip to rome, italy, where i would be participating as a delegate with planet forward in the 46th committee on world food security (cfs), i knew there was going to be plenty of opportunity for my pitch on a personal and professional level. and before i knew it, there i was, on the first night in rome with a traditional pasta dish sitting below me on the checkered table-cloth, performing my pitch, and introducing who i was. why was i there attending the conference on global food security?

it came so naturally, especially as my peer sitting across the table from me claimed climate change could be solved through technology-based solutions. this was a contradiction of everything i believed in as a student that has studied the climate crisis and how we have gotten to where we are in the world today. so, i ran with it. 

“hi, my name is lindsay, and technology scares me. i don’t believe it holds solutions, i believe it hosts destruction, and in light of development and adapting to climate change, i think it has the potential to further increase the gap between human beings and the earth. my skepticism is not only curious, but it is angry towards technology and its rapid speed. i am here to better understand its role in global development and sustainable agriculture.”  

something along those lines rolled effortlessly off my tongue.

i quickly realized that the following week at the food and agriculture organization (fao) building was going to be a challenge, especially as i held on tight to my ideas about technology. but as much as i was skeptical of technology-based solutions, i tried my best to remain open to their potential in reducing suffering, feeding the hungry, and contrary to my beliefs, actually bringing us humans closer to the earth.

oh, how privilege sits comfortably in our beliefs

on the first day of the cfs46 i found myself perched up in the comfortable blue seats of the plenary with my eyes wide, notebook crisp and ready to be filled with notes. once i figured out what the white thing was on everyone’s ears, i attached mine to my ear with the language set to english, and i was ready to listen.

nearly 1,900 attendees filled the room. each one, coming from their corner on the planet; bringing along with them their unique experiences, ideas, and perspectives. from scientists and governments to farmers and members of civil society, the cfs is a multi-stakeholder platform that reports to the united nations general assembly about the status of global food security and nutrition for all. that’s what they’re all about; having every voice at the table for creative, inclusive, and effective policy approaches towards positive change.

within the first few moments of the meeting, chairperson of the cfs, mario arvelo, gave the attendees some context and reason for being there with a moment of silence for the millions of people that have died since last year’s meeting as a result of hunger and disease stemming from malnutrition.

this single moment set the tone and motivated the attendees to address world hunger for the estimated 821 million people without access to a nutritious meal. this number loomed heavily throughout the space of the fao, and deeply contributed to my perspective.

all of my life, i have had access, adequate access — maybe even an overly adequate access — to food. it was in these heavy moments soaked in the unimaginable number of 821 million that my privilege was unveiled. i began to see the importance of accepting the potential of technology, and understanding that food cooperatives, organic farming, and things alike cannot be the only solution. throughout the week, i was beginning to realize that food insecurity is a far bigger issue than i have been able to imagine within the walls of my college classrooms, from my corner on the planet. 

in order to fulfill the u.n. sustainable development goals for the 2030 agenda, solutions need to be multifaceted with the embrace of technology on the foreground. this, at first was a hard pill to swallow, but with the 821 million people in mind, the pill went down really smoothly.

opening the door & asking the questions

my questions during my time in the fao building ultimately became, “can technological innovation and sustainable agriculture work hand-in-hand? and, can technology actually work to make the gap smaller between humans and the earth?” i carried these with me as i attended a side event called “innovation and agroecology.” it was held in the “green room” and as the diverse group of panelists filled the seats on stage, i found my seat near the front, so i wouldn’t miss a thing. the panel was complete with farmers from argentina, new mexico, italy, and nigeria, along with business owners of agrotechnology companies. when dialogue began, i felt as if my questions were being directly answered.

agroecology is a farming practice that centers on food production and aims to make the best use of nature’s goods and services while not damaging these resources. farmers that include agroecology in their practices seek to improve and increase yields for balanced nutrition while simultaneously strengthening the ecosystems and fair markets in place for their products. typically, agroecology is associated with a more natural and organic approach to agriculture, as its origins are deeply embedded within indigenous knowledge. needless to say, i was looking forward to what luciano loman was going to share as the executive director of metos brazil, an agrotechnology company.  

he shared about how, through the technology and services metos provides, farmers can become more in tune with their crops. for example, with the imetos® decision support system, farmers can closely monitor the soil parameters and relevant climatic conditions. the data collected through this technology directly increases the yield and decreases the input, whether that’s water, fertilizer, or even physical labor. essentially, the software speaks for the plant, letting the farmer know what they need, and exactly when they need it.

this insight from loman highlighted the value and proved to me how beneficial adopting technologies as such can be, especially for farmers working in harsh and unpredictable climates. it was beginning to seem as if technology could actually work to make the gap smaller between humans and the earth. 

balance in skepticism

the gears in my mind were turning, but i was still feeling connected to my old beliefs, especially as i sat in on an interview between kip tom, the united states representative to the u.n. agency for food & agriculture, and frank sesno, the creator of planet forward. 

in the conversation, tom weighed heavily on the end of the technology advocate spectrum — the one that i feared the most — and in response to sesno’s question about the reality of climate change, the ambassador said, “i think one of the things that we have available to us today is (science), if we are to let science do its work, we can address some of these changes… 

“i think this is what we need to look at, the way we can use technology to better leverage our farm, each acre we farm, (and) improve the environment along the way.” 

overall, the conversation held a tone that placed technology on a pedestal, as an end-all-be-all, long-term solution. i was just not buying it and after this interview, i felt as if i had returned to square one with a returned sense of anger and distrust in technology.

but, rest assured, after sharing my skepticism and ideas with tom, he reminded me of the importance of questioning. questioning, confusion, skepticism, and sharing: each of these are catalysts for change. they are catalysts for growth. in order to effectively work toward goals such as ending world hunger, they remain extremely valuable. 

a changed mind – for the better

by no means am i now a person who will advocate for the technological solution first, or believes that it is the only solution. simply, i can see both sides much better now, and the importance of embracing the many different ideas and experiences of others. although, i will be the first to say that it wasn’t easy to make this shift. i had to poke some holes through my skeptical shield, and pieces of my identity were definitely checked at the door. this was done so with relief and solutions in mind. relief and solutions for the 821 million people whose question is not, what will we eat? rather, it is, will we eat?

as we move forward, searching for solutions in the face of a quickly changing climate, we need to remain mindful of the reality of the situation and be willing to embrace the many forms that solutions come in. whether it is through organic farming, or through embracing biotechnology and software, lucky for us, that pitch i was talking about earlier can change whenever we want. with that, i hope you challenge your perceptions and beliefs, and you’re not afraid to step outside of the box people may have put you in, or maybe even you, yourself have put you in.

for one week i joined planet forward at fao’s committee on world security (cfs) 46th conference in rome, italy. as i sit down to reflect on the gathering, i feel as if a million doors have opened before me. 

i’m a college student at suny’s college of environmental science and forestry, a small stem campus in syracuse, new york, studying environmental studies. that said, it often feels like a bubble, and that bubble can sometimes be blinding. in rome, we’ve met and heard from delegates, stakeholders, youth, and others from around the globe working to solve issues around world hunger and nutrition. my mind has opened to a greater understanding of what is going on on a national level, and of course, a global level. i know this will be useful information to know as i move forward in my life and career surrounding environmental and humanitarian issues. 

prior to this week, i have had an ingrained way of thinking that encompassed a relatively strong distaste for technology. i thought that the issues facing the earth, such as world hunger, and climate change could not be fixed by technology, because in my mind, these issues were caused by technology. as i moved forward through the week, i listened. i heard what the technology advocates had to say, i heard from the farmers themselves, and the people fighting for the right to food, that technology holds a great deal of space in the solution to world hunger. i don’t believe that it is the only solution, but i can now zoom out from the space i am from, and understand there are other ways to go about addressing issues of this suffering. this is just one example of the many takeaways i have received from the past week.

this all said, as a correspondent with planet forward, i viewed much of this week through the lens of a storyteller. as of late, i am in the process of creating a story highlighting the fine balance of technology in development. as my perspective and understanding transformed throughout the week, i recognized its relevance in the battle against troubling issues, such as world hunger. through a series of journal entries, tracking the days i spent in the fao building in rome, i will unravel my fear of technology in development, and refer to its power in reducing suffering and actually getting humans closer to the land; closer to the earth.

once we arrived at forman park, we “gave thanksgiving” to the land we were all standing on and recognized its deeply rooted connection with the people of the haudenosaunee, onondaga nation. 

soon after, people from all walks of life took to the stage to affirm why we were there. from students to local politicians, everyone was energized by their speeches and words of encouragement.

dana balter, 2020 congressional hopeful, preached, “we are not the future, we are now, and we are going to make a change.” 

she later announced her renewed pledge not to accept contributions from the fossil fuel industry in her campaign for new york’s 24th congressional district seat; a powerful political stance in efforts to move away from a society so heavily dependent on fossil fuels.  

one week after the climate strike, i sat down with 19-year-old tamia parsons, a sophomore at syracuse university and one of the leaders of the environmental movement in central new york. here’s our conversation:

q: how are you involved with the environmental movement here on campus?

a: i am one of the hub coordinators for the sunrise movement that organized the protest march.

q: what is the sunrise movement about? 

a: it’s a national organization. it supports the green new deal and pushes politicians to sign a “no fossil fuel” pledge, so they don’t take fossil fuel money and (aims to) get fossil fuels out of politics because there is so much corruption. so here in syracuse, we’re the central new york branch and we started this hub last march. since there are politics associated with the sunrise movement, we’re not an official club on campus. the university did kinda threaten us and told us we couldn’t do any action while on the quad. they said they would remove us. 

(they didn’t.)

q: how has climate change affected your everyday life? 

a: i’m from the san francisco bay area and my town is usually foggy and 60 degrees 80% of the year; seeing that change is very real. we’re actually a huge pumpkin export, no. 1 in the u.s., a strange fact, but seeing all of the crops affected is alarming. i also have a little 10-year-old brother who is the love of my life and thinking about him not having a future, or people his age having to fight for a future, breaks my heart. the people before him didn’t have to do that, why should he? just because he was born during a different time.

q: what specific policies or solutions do you want to emerge from this movement?

a: i feel so strongly about the “no fossil fuel” pledge. i think that getting elected officials at whatever level they’re at onboard is powerful. we have rachel may here, who signed it, dana balter signed it. we want bigger people to sign it, any presidential candidates. we want it to become political poison for candidates not to take the pledge. 

q: how did it feel to be at the strike?

a: i cried. there were so many damn people. we pushed it out on social media, hung up posters, we saw posters being taken down. to see over 500 people there at forman park, even older generations that are not associated with suny esf or su felt so amazing.  they were all there ready to support us. it was energetic and i felt like that’s where i was supposed to be.

q: what is the sunrise movement’s next move?

a: we’re trying to get everyone together in a meeting space to see what our next actions could be. protest-esque things, and possibly do a “die-in.” 

—

if you want to join tamia, check out the sunrise movement and find a local hub near you. if you can’t find one, do what tamia did, and create a new chapter in your own community.

this story is a short compilation of excerpts from presley’s journal during the 1980’s that piece together the harsh reality of living in a food desert in the northern adirondacks of new york. her words uncover the strong connection between a low-income and the chances at a nutritious meal, as she continuously compares her refrigerator to charlotte’s, her affluent best friend.

though this is a fictional story, it is based off of real life circumstances, as many areas in the northern adirondacks remain a classified food desert, which is an area where low-income and marginalized residents struggle to obtain healthy and nutritious food. this can be due to factors such as not owning a car, the lack of existing grocery stores, and poor quality of the fruits and vegetables that are available.

in her journal, she quickly discovers the benefits of a system based in csa. from facilitating a connection with the food you find on your plate and strengthening community ties, all the way to nurturing the earth and decreasing the distance and time between the farm to the table. her persistence and dedication to the mission of feeding the community serves as an inspiration and shines a light on the present-day need to continue moving forward and growing the csa movement.

***

march 3, 1984


the winters here are long and heavy, and by march they feel just about endless. our bodies are tired, deficient of vitamins and minerals, because there is no sun to be seen here in the mountains for months, and my mom’s dinner plates typically lack any color at all. here in the north country, frozen cuisines are accepted as okay and “if it gets the job done, that's good enough.” or at least thats my dad’s mantra. i can't seem to accept it though.

my best friend charlotte lives about 45 minutes away, just one town over. but, whenever i make the trip out to visit her, i feel like i’m on another planet. there's a health food store, and it seems like there is a farmers market perfectly situated on every corner. charlotte's mom makes the most delicious and fulfilling dinners. the plate is always made with just the right amount of color. the darkest collard greens to the brightest, most perfectly ripened tomatoes. after we eat, i feel so energized, it's almost as if i can hear my own body whispering to me, “thank you.”

charlotte doesn't know this, but secretly, i try to plan our hang-outs around meal-times. i feel as if i’m being resourceful. sometimes i sleepover at charlotte's for the entire weekend. this always leaves my mom wondering. rightfully so-- my mom asks me why charlotte never comes to our house, or if i am too embarrassed. honestly, i am. i am afraid we won’t have anything to eat.

it's hard for my parents, they're always working extra shifts, and sometimes the grocery store closes before they get home from work, and since its over seven miles away i can't walk. or when we do get there, the only thing they seem to have is wrapped in plastic or has been trapped in a can for years.

winter is coming to an end soon, and the iga has two rows of cereal, half of them are already expired. the fruit is moldy and the vegetables have been picked way too early. everything seems to be working against my family and a meal filled with nutrition. i can’t seem to understand the unfathomable difference between my refrigerator and charlotte’s.


march 7, 1984


i dream a lot. the journal next to my bed is filled with many of them. i like reading them months later and trying to pick apart the meanings. about half of them are abstract, filled with forest fairies, and the other half are filled with characters from my reality. once, i dreamt of a planet returned to its state before humans of greed and desire took from her. in another dream, my family and i ate the freshest salad with the crispiest pears. my mom naturally dressed the salad with juicy oranges and the spiciest red peppers. my journal after this dream read “how did that food get there? how can that food get here?”

then, i had an idea.


march 17, 1984


in my town we don't have a fancy health food store, but we do have land. we have fertile soil, and a solid rain cycle. and although the winters here are long, i know there are plants that can thrive seasonally. winters can be home to root vegetables and strong leafy greens, like kale and spinach. i want to switch my focus and provide for my family and my community. to the people that work the hardest and receive the least. to the people that deserve nutritious fuel for their bodies and a stronger connection with the earth.

i told my parents about my dreams and the ideas that followed, and to say the least, they looked at me funny. like it was some unfeasible idea that could never be. as if accessible healthy food must remain a luxury. once again, something i will not accept.

so i set out, and i started reading books like “four season harvest” by eliot coleman, where i learned about the possibilities of farming beyond the summer months and discovered new techniques and strategies for growing. i also began visiting farms beyond my town borders. while visiting, i would observe, listen, and ask probably way too many questions, but i don't care because i am determined, and definitely onto something.


march 25, 1984


i finally feel ready to turn this dream into a reality. to be able to provide nutritious, affordable, and accessible food to my community has become my mission. today i went out for a walk, a very long walk. i knocked on the doors of my neighbors and i began to tell them about my idea, and if they wanted to be a part of it. i tried to explain to them the best that i could, how important it is for them to eat from the earth, an idea that believe it or not, seemed very abstract for many.

but it wasn't all doom and gloom and misunderstandings. i got 7 people all from my neighborhood to sign up for a share of my growing this season. since i need money upfront to buy tools, seeds, and soils, you know the whole 9 yards, i requested a donation. for the most part, all 7 people that signed up are really excited and offered me more than i expected. i guess this has been a long time coming.



march 30, 1984


seeds are in, here's to change and to more color on our plates.

hence the ‘to be continued’ aspect of the poem, in attempts to propose a solution for the story, suny-esf has plans to gather soil samples from vieques which will then be tested in the soils lab on the syracuse campus. this is in order to provide a greater sense of clarity along with hope for the island of vieques. 

please take a listen below: