Inspiring Change: An Interview with Regenesis York (cont.)

already, become familiar with Regenesis, and its presence on campus and in the community. As the 2022-23 academic year draws to a close, it is my hope that after reading this article, students will feel encouraged to reach out to the organization, and participate in their ecological ambitions throughout the summer — or this coming fall. Speaking with Mae, I, myself, was enlightened upon the remarkable, with its instrumental leaders at its helm, activities of Regenesis — an organization that aspires to create real change, for real places, and real people.

I began the interview by inquiring about Regenesis as a more intricate, levied supported, non-profit, student organization, with mandates, goals, and values. Regenesis, according to Mae, ventures to employ students as changemakers — contributing to real comprehensive and practical initiatives that seek to take real, tangible, and visible action. Mae emphasizes its grassroots nature, focused on tackling local issues which can later translate to, and address, issues of greater mainstream social and environmental magnitude. While it is important to take note of global concerns, there are many people and natural spaces in our own backyards that are in need of assistance. We cannot fail to heed the nearby cries of those in need, neglecting and overlooking their suffering in favour of those whom we may never be immediately intimate with. This is not to say that distant issues cannot, and should not, be addressed, but rather, that we should first look to confront what is at our doorsteps, and thereafter incrementally precipitate change beyond them.

Abiding by a vision of “just sustainability,” in a just and affordable manner, while living within the limits of supporting ecosystems (i.e. not imposing ecological strain), Regenesis believes in fostering a better life for all, both in the present for the future. Regenesis aims to enable individuals to lead more enriching and fulfilling lives, addressing, as has been previously indicated, climate and ecological issues and crises from a different perspective.

In our interview, Mae imperatively remarked on the suboptimal living circumstances that many students routinely bear, facing challenges, amongst others, aca- demically, nutritionally, financially, physically, and mentally. Noting that students and younger generations will be more greatly impacted by any ecological crises that may arise in the years to come, Mae believes that Regenesis provides a coherent platform for passionate and driven individuals to take action, and, in turn, through various initiatives, provide services available to the benefit of those who may need them most. Regenesis, thus, makes living more affordable, and assistance, more accessible — increasing the quality of life and security of students and the community.

Many initiatives can be highlighted to exemplify the work that Regenesis has done thus far. It is significant to note that, however, as per Mae, Regenesis often frames their activities as initiatives, not events. Regenesis’ efforts are often concentrated on continuous action, rather than singular, intermittent, occasions. At the core of Regenesis’ efforts are recycling, nutrition, cycling, and habitat restoration-centred initiatives. Pertaining to recycling, the borrowing centre (located in Hilliard D118 at Glendon, and in Cycle York, by the southeast corner of the QUAD student residence building, at Keele) provides an item library. Through online reservations, community members can borrow various products for personal use, which is a great resource available to students and the community. Individuals who may lack a needed item can access it, for a time — just remember to return it by the deadline to ensure that others may also have an opportunity to put in a request! Another recycling initiative at Regenesis is the reuse centre — formerly called the ‘free’ store. Here, students can find what they may need, and, unlike the borrowing centre, keep what they have found — free of charge! Ranging from clothing to household items, the reuse centre offers students an opportunity not only to help reduce landfill waste (by reusing instead of buying new), but also, to discover items they may not have otherwise found elsewhere. The reuse centre is located in Lunik at Glendon, and HNES111 at Keele, operating from 11:00 am-4:00 pm on Thursdays.

Moreover, issues of nutrition are often confronted by Regenesis in many ways. Initiatives such as the YUM! Market, at both Glendon and Keele, the Glendon Community Fridge (located in Lunik, on a pay-what-you-can basis), and the Glendon Community Garden, contribute to helping alleviate nutritionally-induced apprehension and insecurity, while further nurturing the principles of ecological sustainability. The YUM! initiative, perhaps the most sizable and substantial of the Regenesis nutritional initiatives, allows students to purchase nourishing foodstuffs at affordable prices. Easily accessible to students at both campuses, YUM! welcomes prescreened vendors who must align with Regenesis’ visions of organic, local, and sustainable produce. The initiative advocates for and educates on social and environmental justice, and offers a wide selection of dietary options — including those vegan, and vegetarian. Mae, also the co-founder of Glendon’s Cooking Club, mentions an important cross-organization partnership: the Cooking Club, in conjunction with Regenesis, offers an alternative system of nutrition, granting students access to better food, while also teaching and educating in the kitchen. After all, if you give someone a fish, you will feed them for a day, if you teach someone how to fish, you will feed them for a lifetime. The Glendon Cooking Club can be found on social media @glendoncookingclub, and, for those looking to get involved, can be reached through email at glendoncookingclub@gmail.com Regenesis also partners with the Glendon Composting Crew, Many Green Hands — two other diligent campus agricultural organizations — and Lunik.

Lastly, Regenesis takes charge of habitat restoration. In doing so, Regenesis has frequently undertaken tree-planting initiatives; In the fall, they planted 150 new trees at Keele, and 30 trees and 30 shrubs at Glendon. At Keele, Regenesis looks to offset the harmful ecological effects of continued infrastructural development, and conserve its rapidly diminishing natural environment. At Glendon, Regenesis hopes to accomplish the same, howbeit, to a lesser extent — with a greater focus, with the campus’ thriving and flourishing natural environment, on habitat restoration, and education (especially about native species). For those who are not afraid of getting their hands dirty, and wish to get involved with tree-planting initiatives, more trees are set to be planted this spring - April 12 at Glendon, and April 13 at Keele. Students can sign up through this link: https:// sustainability.apps01.yorku.ca/machform/ view.php?id=25602. In participating with Regenesis’ tree-planting initiatives, you will be sure to make a long-lasting difference, as, in coordination with York’s facilities services, trees are planted in locations which will not be developed any time in the near future.

Overall, Regenesis’ efforts have been of critical substance for and impact in the York community and beyond. Its initiatives have contributed immensely to the betterment of the lives of many and the environments that surround them. Through its many pursuits, Regenesis has been able to firmly uphold a policy of “zero-waste,” reducing the amounts of prodigal social consumption. Hence, Regenesis has had, and continues to have, many successful and positive impacts in its sphere of influence, changing the ways that many people perceive the world, and act within it — inspiring students to continue to take action long after graduation. Nonetheless, Regenesis can only function with the assistance of eager and zealous individuals, and would love to have your help and support! If you are interested in becoming a part of Regenesis, a fervent catalyst for social change, you can do so in two ways: 1) Through making use of Regenesis’ services (buying from YUM!, visiting Cycle York, etc.), in turn, taking action to support more sustainable societies, and 2) Through volunteering, that is, ensuring that Regenesis’ initiatives are able to operate effectively, and favourably. Through supporting, or working with, Regenesis, Mae believes that students will gain valuable transferable skills, including project and business management, and communication. For those who may seek greater challenges and responsibilities, the executive positions of YUM!, Reuse Centre, and Borrowing Centre Coordinators at Glendon are currently vacant, and positions with Cycle York (community bike centre) at Keele need to be filled. You can also make make a donation (monetary or material) to Regenesis, and, vote to increase Regenesis’ levy in September. Voting will grant Regenesis the resources that it requires to facilitate its projects, so be sure to keep an eye out; the vote is open to all undergraduate students! Students are encouraged to check out Regenesis through their socials (@regenesisyork, @regenesisglendon), and reach out through email for any further inquiries (info@regenesis.eco)!

On behalf of Pro Tem, I would like to extend a sincere thank you to Regenesis York’s Mae Shibasaki, Operations Director, and Glendon’s Chapter Coordinator, for her time, which helped make this article possible. I would also like to commend everyone who works with, and supports, Regenesis in their endeavours. Their work has truly helped to make a difference in the community. The environment is our home, and it is irreplaceable — it is thus all of our collective responsibility to protect it. Hence, I urge all Glendonites, in any way they can, to reach out to Regenesis, and begin taking action — every little bit counts!