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MinimizeMarch

minimizeMARCH.

is a student-run campaign on Queens University campus in Kingston aimed at increasing awareness about the environmental issue of overconsumption by having participants pledge to reduce consumption for the month of March.

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Our Story

In its earliest stages of development, minimizeMARCH. began when I picked up the book Affluenza—How overconsumption is killing us? And how to fight back in the summer of 2017. I was blown away after learning about how consumption levels of earth’s resources per person in western society have skyrocketed in the last 100 years. Most significantly, I learned that the appalling amount of things we own and the resources we use — which take a significant toll on our home (earth)—isn’t making us any happier! I began to ponder the ramifications of such an environmental and social catastrophe.

After diving into the subject for a project in Environmental Science 103 at Queen’s University the following Fall semester, it became clear—something must be done. The biggest barrier seemed to be that this was a complex issue that very few are aware of; so I decided, let’s enable people to learn by doing.

Enter minimizeMARCH.: a campaign designed to raise awareness about the issue of overconsumption by having participants pledge to reduce consumption in four key areas; consumerism, water, food and energy. To do this, individuals will attempt to reach specific weekly and monthly goals set by our team. At first, I thought of making it a one-day event, like a different ‘earth day’ if you will, but quickly decided, “Hey, if ‘boxing ‘day’ gets an entire week now, then I’m taking an entire month!”.

After roughing out the basics of what I wanted the campaign to look like, I went around pitching the idea to various lectures to gauge interest. For all I knew, this could have been a totally obscure and unreasonably long event that students just don’t have the time or commitment level to participate in. Fortunately, I soon learned I was wrong!

In October of 2017, giving only vague one-minute pitches that lent students very little on what I was aiming to do—let alone what their role would be—I met with 30 students that were intrigued at the idea after speaking before only 3 lectures! Many of the students were potential participants, but some even expressed a desire to help me make it happen! Now it’s getting exciting! “It’s real. It’s happening. There is a mountain of work to do, and I need help.”

Our dream team was then constructed, consisting of the most environmentally passionate, hard working students I’ve met. Although we are all environmental science students at Queens, we each bring something very different to the table. I bring a focused passion as a leader of the team and the voice of mM when networking or public speaking. Our Marketing Executive Christine could run social media and reach people in her sleep. Our Events Executives Evelyn and Kyleigh know how to plan a banging event that attracts a crowd while tying in various aspects of overconsumption very nicely. Last but not least, our Campaign Design Executives, Evan, Katherine and Keara have got the research skills and logistical reasoning that ensures our goals are met and everything runs as smoothly as it should.

Once assembled, our team of seven dedicated individuals wasted no time getting down to business. Since our first meeting on November 17, 2017, each one of us have been working very hard to build a campaign that will effectively raise awareness about overconsumption at Queen’s University. I must say, with everything we have planned, our participants are in for a real treat. And as for addressing this chronically depressing and environmentally devastating issue we face, there is a fragment of hope: it may not have started with you, but it can end with you. Hit that blue button to sign up today.

Sincerely,

Jordan Russell

Founder and President of minimizeMARCH.

Contact the organization

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Telephone

14034220423

Website

facebook.com

Address

Kingston, ON
K7L3N6