This participatory session is designed as a shared space for reflection, storytelling, and learning together. We will begin by exploring the journey from a linear “take-make-waste” model of production and consumption toward a more circular way of living – one that reduces waste and takes inspiration from natural systems. We will also touch on how changing the way we produce, use, and share goods can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions – by using fewer resources, extending the life of what we have, and minimizing waste – contributing in meaningful ways to climate change mitigation.
Through this exploration, we will centre the knowledge and experience in the room. Participants will be invited to share skills, practices, and examples from their lives that reflect more circular and localized ways of living – such as repairing and making things last, preserving food, and borrowing or sharing resources within close-knit communities. Together, we will reflect on what has sustained small, rural communities like Antigonish in the past, and how these practices continue to foster connection, mutual support, and resilience. Through open conversation, we will explore how this wisdom can be carried forward and shared across generations, strengthening relationships and deepening our sense of community in these times of uncertainty.
