Grey to Green

Project Summary

 
The "Grey to Green" project, held in August 2024, responded to the urgent need to mitigate the environmental impacts of climate change and rapid urbanization, particularly the loss of green spaces and biodiversity. The training focused on equipping youth workers with the skills and knowledge necessary for sustainable eco-construction, providing practical strategies to counteract the negative effects of urban development. Participants explored the challenges of urbanization, including habitat destruction, the creation of heat islands, increased pollution, higher energy consumption, and disruptions to ecosystems and water flow. Through sustainable planning, the project emphasized green infrastructure, renewable resources, and energy-efficient designs as solutions to strike a balance between urban growth and ecological preservation.

The name "Grey to Green" symbolizes the transformative shift from conventional, resource-intensive building practices (grey infrastructure) to environmentally conscious and nature-inspired methods (green infrastructure). Participants engaged in hands-on training to build a straw-bale house, utilizing the thermal properties of the structure and locally sourced materials aligned with the wheat harvest. This practical activity demonstrated the affordability and efficiency of natural building techniques.

By addressing economic barriers in housing development and preparing participants for future challenges, including climate-induced migration, the training emphasized resilience and sustainability. Participants gained practical skills in cost-effective construction, renovation, ecological design, and the integration of renewable energy, positioning them as changemakers capable of harmonizing urban development with environmental conservation. Over the course of the project, participants built a strawbale house utilizing a local and readily available natural material. 

Ultimately, "Grey to Green" aspired to inspire a shift toward sustainable practices in urban planning and construction, encouraging a greener and more resilient future. By empowering youth workers with innovative tools and eco-conscious mindsets, the project laid the groundwork for widespread adoption of sustainable building practices, creating positive impacts on communities and ecosystems alike.

Poetic Closure

Once upon a time
In a far away land
There was a kingdom of elves fairies unicorns mermaids and more
They lived together in sweet harmony
Working to build a new reality
Collaborating to make projects innovatively 
Building houses of bales and fridges of straw
To collect their greenhouse abundance
Before the winter falls
They are rushing and in a hurry to put on a roof over their heads
Moving too fast sometimes but they still created space to speak about their emotions
Mostly in more intimate one on one exchanges
But on a full moon they gathered to listen
And a portal was opened
Anger, frustration, fear, emptiness, and saddness was spoken
Through dried leaves stones and objects they collected from nature
They held space for their sorrow as much as their joy
During these two weeks together
They saw lightning, rain, a touch of winter, strong winds and even a rainbow
During the work days, some creatures got hurt mostly on their feet while others fell sick for some days
The feet they say, are connected to ancestry: a message to reconnect with the roots
Perhaps this stomach disease was a collective purging
To release all the unwanted toxins of a sick society
Even with illness, they still went on..
Working, playing, loving, and learning
They took care of each other and held each other close
Playing, performing and creating art, music, and macrame bracelets
They gifted each other kind words, beautiful trinkets, and hand made creations
Even though they come from different tribes and nations
They still found a way to live in peace and harmony
At the Northern Lights they gathered for a project called Grey to Green
Where they were able to transform their inner and outer environments from dullness and boxes to green, friendly, living, growing spaces full of love and a life worth living

- Zein Gaia