CONVERSATION #3

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 3 PM

ALI AMES + KARRI ANN FRERICHS + KESTREL JENKINS MCGILL + ALYSSA SEIBERT

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THE MOTHERS OF NATURE

In our third climatic conversation there is an air of excitement buzzing from our host Jenny Silbert. ‘This is the first conversation where it is all women and I must admit I’m quite excited about that.’

With research and to Jenny’s knowledge the push for sustainability ‘is predominantly women-driven.’ Luckily for us we are joined by a group of passionately driven women: Alyssa Seibert, the Social Impact and Sustainability Manager of Imperfect Foods; Kestrel Jenkins, producer and host to the Conscious Chatter podcast; Kari Ann Frerichs, executive director of Circular Fashion LA and Ali Ames, director of sustainability at Three Squares Inc are joining Stephanie Choi and our host Jenny Silbert.

It is easy to focus on the great sadness that encircles our world right now but in the spirit of hope, the conversation is filled with positivity and all women agree ‘the world is changed by us individually.’

Ali has found herself ‘much more connected with my friends and family. We have all this technology to stay connected - let’s use it.’ Kestrel admits she is ‘appreciating the little things, spending present time with my daughter.’ Alyssa is ‘prioritizing my health.’ And Kari is maintaining an awareness to ‘use food consciously.’

Aren’t these all habits we want to keep? A sense of clarity and purity has been found when we’re forced to simplify our lives, and right now we are all ‘incredibly motivated to do the right thing.’

Alyssa agrees; ‘We all seem to be on the same page. Considering we all live in different circumstances, our main priority at Imperfect Foods is to supply food. This is being prioritized across the board at the company… it’s interesting to see how we work with one motivation rather than individual goals.’

Stay-at-home quarantine made Kestrel observe that ‘the mess of our world is more visible.’ Stephanie adds that ‘the speed of our normal lives was preventing us from seeing the larger problems.’

Consumption seems to be a thing of the past. Particularly in the sphere of fashion. Kestrel has noticed that ‘Fashion articles are pushing the fact that after this pandemic, if you are not doing something sustainable - it's the only way forward - you’re going to be irrelevant. Companies that do business “as usual” will be viewed insensitive and disconnected. The statistics for people researching sustainable fashion is growing exponentially.’

Even an industry that thrives on consumption -  the fashion industry, where seasonal trends are fleeting - is beginning to see this is no longer a mentality for the future. As Ali states, ‘our actions create this horrible pollution.’ The world is screaming for change. ‘If you are a small brand and you have something to say that’s powerful, shoppers are not only going to listen, but seek you out.’

With a shift in values Kari believes laws need to be changed too, ‘It should be illegal to produce products that aren’t recyclable. This is on policy makers. With enough interest in sustainable fashion and voices advocating for change in policy, laws must change; [policy makers] are the members of the community we need to direct the public’s changed opinions.’

Let’s make sustainable, regenerative methods the only legal form of fashion.

For the fortunate members of society, as Alyssa mentions, ‘We’re living in this idyllic little moment. How do we maintain that energy and bring it over on the other side.’

In response, Ali believes that it has never been more important to create ‘support groups’ and make ‘network opportunities’ that cultivate loving kindness – for people and the planet.  The collective determination and radiating positivity of these women proves that together we can change the future.

As I write this – a woman embarking into adult life – I am filled with faith that we’re going to be alright. I’ve listened to people – Jenny and all the passionate individuals who have taken part in these conversations – fighting for our earth with love.

Now, reader, join in and let’s fight together.

With Love,

Imogen Heald

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Everybody has been feeling the effects of this changed reality extremely deeply -- and hoping to use this experience as a wake-up call to become more aware of the humanity in the world.
2. The things we are appreciating right now are so small, yet so meaningful -- safe bike rides without crazy cars, no alarm clocks, laying in the sunlight, spending time with children, being grateful to have fresh produce to cook with. They are things that we tend to take for granted, yet now, have the time to slow down, process, and acknowledge.
3. There are some things that we never want to go back to: the dirty air and endless noise of urban areas, thoughtless consumerism, rushing through life, etc, though we know that some things are inevitable. However, we want the “business as usual” to be different.
4. We are more mindful of how connected we are to each other, especially how we affect others on a local and global scale. The supply chain does not begin and end with us -- it starts on another continent and travels long and far before it ever reaches our hands, and now we see that, with empty shelves and the closing of small businesses.
5. We hope that this experience keeps everybody connected and focused on the things that matter, especially in a sustainable context. The major changes that are happening overnight due to this pandemic are indicators that big change is possible, despite what people are always saying when they push against it, and its positive impacts can be felt soon.
6. We hope to continue this conversation in the future, and maintain relationships with each other and this community to grow the platform, the connectivity, and the purpose we all have.