This fortnightly newsletter shares updates on The Eco Chapter’s activities, upcoming events, and reflections along the way.

Thank you for being part of this community, and for tending - in your own ways - to the planet and the many species we share it with.

March’s The Eco Chapter Community Activities

The big topic:

People, Planet, Pollinators

The in-person conversations continue on 31 March from 7pm + GMT+8 at Kult Yard, Singapore.
Come meet fellow community members, exchange stories, discuss the big topic together, and make some new friends in this informal, UNcorporate meet-up.

Join for FREE!

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂?

The world seems to be getting messier and messier - what can you do about it as an individual in your own little way, or for your own life?

Me This Month

I’m stopping.
That’s what I’ve decided I can do - my own little solution.

I’m still in Sri Lanka and surrounded by water, open skies, bird song, and freedom - compared to many, many around the world who are not so fortunate.

As wars rage, prices inflate, unemployment increases, and stress levels go through the roof, I've decided to spend more time away from my computer and enjoy being outside surrounded by nature - because who know how long I will be able to.

How long will we be able to breathe freely, to have community, to have fellowship, to be free?
To be?

I invite you to stop too, if you can.

For a week, a month.
Even a day. Half a day.
An hour everyday.

Because …

Maybe if we stop - the magic will come back.
Maybe we can rebreathe life into the world.
Maybe we can make space for serendipity.

Rainbows for breakfast
Unicorns sit by me
Glitter and ribbons
Cupcakes for tea

Shady spots for reading
Chatting for infinity
On everything or nothing
The joy of community

The fellowship of flowers
And grass and trees
Visits from hummingbirds
Butterflies and bees

Confetti and streamers
Colours galore
Magic and mystery
And so much more

Why do we complicate
A life that could be carefree
When will we start to
Make space for serendipity

💚 Marla. 050326

This fortnightly newsletter shares updates on The Eco Chapter’s activities, upcoming events, and reflections along the way.

Thank you for being part of this community, and for tending - in your own ways - to the planet and the many species we share it with.

THIS MONTH

In February we looked at the big question, “Do I think we're in a crisis? Why? What can I do about it?” through:

📚 Eco Book Club - exploring the ideas in the book: The Arrogant Ape, by Dr Christine Webb
🛠️ Climate Fresk - exploring how human activities are connected to the climate crisis and social crises
🫂 People, Planet, Pollinators - a monthly informal meet-up where we discuss the big questions, make new friends, and build communities

REFLECTIONS

Last month we explored the idea of the polycrisis, and unfortunately, as much as we’d like to live in blissful ignorance, it is a fact that many crises are occurring all around us.

Many agree that yes, there is a crisis, but few realise that the sum of all these crises is the biggest crisis of all.

Therefore, this makes finding solutions very difficult. If we continue to live in denial, or place band-aids on gushing wounds, the world’s crises will just compound.

And so - we have to ask the question - what do we do about it?

It’s an easy escape to say, “I’m just one person, what difference do my actions make?” But that’s a cop-out in a planet that belongs to all of us. It’s easy to point fingers in blame and place responsibility on corporates, producers, and governments, but we’re all responsible for putting them there, for perpetuating the system, and for allowing business-as-usual.

So, how can we enact change in our own simple, tangible ways?

No one’s saying that systemic change is any one person’s responsibility.
However … no one is an island.
One person finds another, and another.
Together they build islands of coherence, they build tribes, they build communities.

One person with an idea is great, but it takes a community to make actual change.

We’re in a system that numbs our emotions, keeps us on never-slowing treadmills, and distracts us with shiny things.
But what if we all woke up to a better future that we always dreamed of?
What if we found our tribes and started demanding a different, human/planet/eco-centric life?

What if we heeded indigenous wisdoms of Pura Vida, Abhayabhumi, Ubuntu, Ikigai, Aloha, Lagom … guiding philosophies for promoting mental wellness, social cohesion, and harmony with the environment?

What if we woke up one day and remembered?

March’s The Eco Chapter Community Activities

The big topic:

Eco-Book Club

We’ll explore the big topic through “Active Hope” by Joana Macy.

Here’s something to think about: How do we respond meaningfully to global crises and uncertainty without giving in to despair and instead turn our concern into purposeful action?

These book clubs focus on the themes and questions the books open up, rather than on literary analysis or close reading. The book simply offers shared material to think with. You’re welcome whether you’ve read it fully, partially, or not at all. I curate each session so everyone can join the conversation without feeling behind or underprepared.

Click here to join the conversation 15 March 6-9pm GMT+8

Eco-Literacy Workshop

I’m hosting an online Conscious Evolution Collage.

The Conscious Evolution Collage is an interactive, team-based workshop that helps you understand global sustainability challenges, uncover their hidden root causes, and explore meaningful solutions through systems thinking and collective intelligence. Based on transdisciplinary research from New World Together, it empowers you to expand your awareness, connect the dots, and co-create pathways toward a more sustainable and conscious future.

Learn more about it here.

Click here to join the session 14 March 6-9pm GMT+8

(Minimum 3 pax to start and only space for 6, but more sessions coming soon!)

People, Planet, Pollinators

The in-person conversations continue on 31 March from 7pm + GMT+8 at Kult Yard, Singapore.
Come meet fellow community members, exchange stories, discuss the big topic together, and make some new friends in this informal, UNcorporate meet-up.

Join for FREE!

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂?

How are you feeling as we end our 2nd month of 2026?

How are you feeling in your space, in your purpose, in your body?

Me This Month

I started the Bio-Leadership Project Fellowship this month, and it has all been very special. I applied for the fellowship two years ago but my application was rejected because I did not have a concrete enough project to work on through the 8 months. This year not only was I accepted, I was sponsored. A friend paid for me to take on this fellowship.

So, in order to do this gift justice, I decided to step away from the free-running treadmill of Singapore and physically place myself in a more bio-friendly place - and I’m writing this from Sri Lanka, my favourite place in Asia.

We spent a beautiful two days finally gathering and together-ing.
During this time, we were asked to put together a visual representation of where we see our place in this time of transition.

I’m sharing with you mine (didn’t have a lot to work with considering I’m living in my backpack!):

• Being a rooted woman in the knowledge that we are nature and words create worldviews and that we can challenge unsustainable narratives.

• Being grounded (obsidian crystal) and protected (porcupine spines) in knowing that this is not new – we’re just remembering and re-membering indigenous wisdom (trees and owls).

• Providing a safe space of wisdom, education, and discussion to allow more people to join the conversation for our futures - looking towards the Great Turning.

• And the image of the living tree bridges in Meghalaya, India came to mind.

This is what I hope to continue to work on during this 8-month fellowship made up of a mycelium network of many beautiful people and stories from all over the world.
I hope this work will help me continue to build The Eco Chapter into a life raft that’s sorely needed for this volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous time ahead.

PODCASTS AND INTERVIEWS

🎤 Podcasts with Brad Swift about the polycrisis.

Listen to them here:

Introduction

Polycrisis episode 1

Polycrisis episode 2

This month we launched guest interviews!

Our first guest was Katharine Burke - an ESL teacher turned ecological activist and advocate, and the author of the book, Earthwards-Transformative Ecological Education.

Katharine’s message was that we need to keep telling the stories, and finding the others that are moving in the right direction, accept that we’re in this messy middle, and work towards change together.

Stay tuned for the full interview later this month.

What I can offer: HERE

💌 Let’s talk: change@theecochapter.com

In service of our planet,
💚 Marla Lise, Earthling at The Eco Chapter

Happy Ramadan!

Happy Mahashivratri!

Care In Communities

This fortnightly newsletter shares updates on The Eco Chapter’s activities, upcoming events, and reflections along the way.

Thank you for being part of this community, and for tending - in your own ways - to the planet and the many species we share it with.

New Podcasts

I’ve been busy recording with in our new podcast - reGeneration (Get it? Get it? We’re from different generations!)

Listen to them here:

Introduction

Polycrisis episode 1

Polycrisis episode 2

February’s The Eco Chapter Community Activities

The big topic:

Note: I’ve disabled SKOOL - after trying for months, it doesn’t’ seem to be the best option. Apologies for those of you who’ve signed up.

Eco-Book Club

We’ll explore the big topic through “The Arrogant Ape” by Christine Webb.

Here’s something to think about: “What kind of future becomes possible if humans abandon the idea of superiority?”

These book clubs focus on the themes and questions the books open up, rather than on literary analysis or close reading. The book simply offers shared material to think with. You’re welcome whether you’ve read it fully, partially, or not at all. I curate each session so everyone can join the conversation without feeling behind or underprepared.

Click here to join the conversation 22 February 6-9pm GMT+8

Dr Christine Webb, the author of the book has also agreed to do a session with us in March. Tentatively March 9th - so stay tuned. If you can come and ask her live questions, that’d be great - otherwise, I’ll be compiling your questions for her.

So excited!

Eco-Literacy Workshop

I’m hosting another online Climate Fresk: a 3-hour, interactive workshop that uses collective intelligence and collaborative learning to map the connections between human activities and climate change.

Click here to join the session 21 February 6-9.30pm GMT+8

(Minimum 3 pax to start and only space for 6, but more sessions coming soon!)

People, Planet, Pollinators

The in-person conversations continue on 24 February from 7pm + GMT+8.
Come meet fellow community members, exchange stories, discuss the big topic together, and make some new friends in this informal, UNcorporate meet-up.

Join for FREE!

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂?

Do you personally believe we are in a crisis? Why or why not?

What would meaningful action look like for you personally?

Me This Month

I’m really excited to announce that Dreams of Unwritten Futures has found a home at a bookshop in Bras Basah Complex, Singapore. I hope that it being in a public space brings more people into the conversation about better future narratives.

We are still crowdfunding for our next book (which we’ve already started!)

Please donate here if you feel like helping our cause.

It’s my 42nd birthday this month.

I spent it with friends and family, away from the panic of the hamster wheel, and close to the ocean, and nature. I’m hoping it’ll give me time to plan this new year, breathe, and focus.

I am now in Sri Lanka for 3 weeks - to reset, realign, and reevaluate. And then I’m heading to India straight after that for an 11-day course - an immersive journey into the art of designing eco-villages and regenerative communities. I can’t wait to see what doors this opens up for me and for The Eco Chapter.

[If any of you reading this know anywhere or anyone that would like to host me, chat with me, collaborate with me - please, please let me know.]

I had a great night this month in fellowship with two kindred souls - wanting to escape from the rat race into a simpler life. We talked for almost 12 hours about life, love, and a better future. We picked oracle cards - one of the first times in my life using these decks.

I chose a card deck with dragon illustrations, picked a card, and turned it around. He looked back at me - a dragon rising from a cracked egg, defiance in his eyes, and outstretched wings calling me into their safety.

“You are responsible for your life, your behaviour, and your experiences and, more importantly how you react to them” …

‘Listen to the wisdom of Emergence as he says, ‘It’s time to reflect. You need to take stock of what you value and what is important to you. Contemplation and quietness required. Your experiences may have been vexing; it is unwise to dwell on them, but you can learn from them. Understand those you need to remember and let all the others go. From this place a new vibrant you can emerge, but first you must allow yourself time to reflect, go within to that inner place of peace and bring forth that which you wish to be.’

And so … I go … to be quiet, reflect, and contemplate.

I hope you find some time to do the same.

What I can offer: HERE

💌 Let’s talk: change@theecochapter.com

In service of our planet,
💚 Marla Lise, Earthling at The Eco Chapter

Care In Communities

This fortnightly newsletter shares updates on The Eco Chapter’s activities, upcoming events, and reflections along the way.

Thank you for being part of this community, and for tending - in your own ways - to the planet and the many species we share it with.

THIS MONTH

In January we looked at the big question, "𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 - 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲?" through:

📚 Eco Book Club - exploring the ideas in the book: Navigating the Polycrisis - Mapping the Futures of Capitalism and the Earth by Michael J Albert
🛠️ Climate Fresk - exploring how human activities are connected to the climate crisis and social crises
🫂 People, Planet, Pollinators - a monthly informal meet-up where we discuss the big questions, make new friends, and build communities [we celebrated our 1-year anniversary!!]
🎤 My podcast with Brad Swift about the polycrisis - listen to it here.

REFLECTIONS

The first step is to name the problem.

Many people have never heard of the word, polycrisis.

But why it is so unknown - is simply because people have been working in siloes, trying to solve individual parts of the problem without seeing the bigger picture. Fixing one thing in isolation causes repercussions somewhere else.

This is why holistic approaches and systems thinking are so important in creating solutions.

We have multiple crises happening at the same time, and the sum of that is bigger than the individual problems. And this is a fact. We cannot form solutions for climate change without also thinking about how they will affect human displacement, health, rising water temperatures, shifting temperatures and rainfall, migration of animal species, introduction of new pathogens, the melting permafrost … there are so, so many interconnected systems.

We cannot look at plastic and say it’s bad and just replace it with metal, glass, bamboo, or paper. Every one of these resources needs to be created, extracted, and comes from a finite source.

But when we see bigger pictures, we can start to map more effective, efficient solutions. We also start to trace problems down to their root causes. And to do that - we need bigger communities. There is no time for egoistical, dominating, ‘I am going to save the world’, ‘I’m going to make profit from this’ narratives anymore.

We’re IN the polycrisis.
And it is our species that is at risk - and that refers to every single one of us.

And despite it all being terrifying, know that you have a community of support, that you’re not alone, and therefore can create impact together. There is no more invalidating - “I’m just one person, what can I do?”

In his book, Michael J Albert emphasises that the polycrisis does not have to be permanent. 💚 I hope that is at least empowering.

And therefore, together, we can work together towards this new world.

I use this term a lot in my talks and workshops - the social tipping point. The point where one normally strange action suddenly flips the switch and becomes the norm. Like during the COVID-19 pandemic, where masks were suddenly worn everywhere, and you got dirty looks if you weren’t wearing one. And then suddenly again - that behaviour flipped back.

There was enough momentum, enough participation, that wearing a mask was either acceptable or unacceptable behaviour. That point, where that switch happens - is the social tipping point.

And if enough of us are able to act in a certain way - well, we can change the world.

NEXT MONTH

Next month The Eco Chapter is discussing the big topic - "𝗗𝗼 𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘄𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀? 𝗪𝗵𝘆? 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗱𝗼 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁?"

Through:

February’s The Eco Chapter Community Activities

Eco-Book Club

We’ll explore the big topic through “The Arrogant Ape” by Christine Webb.

These book clubs focus on the themes and questions the books open up, rather than on literary analysis or close reading. The book simply offers shared material to think with. You’re welcome whether you’ve read it fully, partially, or not at all. I curate each session so everyone can join the conversation without feeling behind or underprepared.

Click here to join the conversation 22 February 6-9pm GMT+8

[A PDF of the book is available on the course site.]

P.S. Christine Webb is our first guest speaker in the launch of Reimagined Societies in MARCH - a self-directed learning community I’m curating with Erin Remblance. Christine will be speaking and answering questions in this session.
Stay tuned! 😉

Eco-Literacy Workshop

I’m hosting another online Climate Fresk: a 3-hour, interactive workshop that uses collective intelligence and collaborative learning to map the connections between human activities and climate change.

Click here to join the session 21 February 6-9.30pm GMT+8

(Minimum 3 pax to start and only space for 6, but more sessions coming soon!)

People, Planet, Pollinators

We celebrated one year of PPP at Kult Yard in January 🥳
And the conversations continue on 24 February from 7pm + GMT+8.
Lauren Moffitt will be your volunteer host for the night!
Come meet fellow community members, exchange stories, discuss the big topic together, and make some new friends in this informal, UNcorporate meet-up.

Join for FREE!

It’s A Wrap

A bi-monthly community discussion on the two big topics held on Skool.

Click here to join 28 February 6pm GMT+8

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂?

What does the polycrisis mean to you, and for your life?
I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments, or send me an email.

Me This Month

I’m realising that I'm all over the place.

I’m trying to fit into a world of corporate sustainability here in Singapore while disagreeing with many of their methods and values - that seem completely contradictory to mine. So, I keep grasping at straws and trying to find, as Bayo Akomolafe calls, “the colonial rush toward solutions.”

I've been fortunate to meet with many supportive people over the last few months, and one thing is clear - my work is being seen, is important, and that I should focus. So, I’m taking some time for myself, away from the crazy capitalist system in Singapore to spend some time in nature and focus on what I want to do.

I’ll be heading to Sri Lanka for a little self-retreat of Muay Thai, yoga, and the ocean - first to heal from the trauma of last year, but then to write, and contemplate and reflect … and be without the pressure to do.

Then I head to an eco village in India for a course on Regenerative Learning. I’m looking forward to seeing what India has to offer outside of a hospital in Chennai.

[If any of you reading this know anywhere or anyone that would like to host me, chat with me, collaborate with me - please, please let me know.]

I’ve also been sponsored to participate in the Bio-Leadership Fellowship which is an 8-month incubator programme that is designed to transform human systems by working with nature. I’m really excited to see where this will take me and my work, and how better it will help me support others.

I hope that ending the year of the snake, shedding limiting beliefs, letting go of that which doesn’t serve me, and questioning my own unsustainable narratives will help push my work forward in 2026 - opening up more opportunities for me to build communities and also to hold space for many others who are new to this path towards this ‘new earth-system configuration”.

Thank you for being with me on this journey, and allowing me to be in yours.

And when it gets too difficult, confusing, scary, and you’ve had enough?
Close your eyes, count, and breathe.

Before I go - I’m taking part in a panel on the 1st of February.

This panel was curated together with glass artist Sock Fong Tan, who transformed recycled glass bottles into an installation.
Each bottle contained a slip of paper from members of the public carrying a concern or observation about environmental issues.

There were strong feelings of:
Powerlessness, system frustration, moral responsibility and disconnect between individual effort and large-scale change.

Especially that:
➡️ Climate change is being experienced as daily physical stress, not theory.
➡️ People feel trapped in a system where waste is unavoidable.
➡️ People are noticing ecosystems changing, not just weather.

Register here to join us in the conversation.

I'm also super grateful that Prestige Gallery is collecting funds for the NGO that I volunteer for, The International SeaKeepers Society, on the 6th of Feb in an evening of art, wine and purpose.
Get your tickets here.

Hi, my name is Marla. I'm a regenerative storyteller and eco-literacy translator helping people stay sane, informed, and effective in the polycrisis through my work at The Eco Chapter.

This year, I’m pouring my energy into what’s already growing - to nourish roots, not reinvent wheels. I would love to add value to the work you’re already doing.

Work With Me

The Eco Chapter is an eco-literacy and regenerative storytelling consultancy.

I recorded a webinar in December on Eco-Literacy and Regenerative Storytelling for SMEs. You’re welcome to watch it here.

I’m available for paid in-person and online engagements, including:

➡️ Keynote talks, panels, and panel moderation
➡️ Workshops, trainings, and guest lectures
➡️ Eco-literacy programmes for teams and organisations
➡️ Community-building and CSR events
➡️ Sustainability and impact storytelling (talks, copy, narratives)
➡️ Custom trivia and interactive learning experiences
➡️ Content creation (text, workshops, speeches, train-the-trainer programmes)

I’m crowdfunding for The Better Future Narratives Project to work with more writers and bring more stories of community, hope, reciprocity, and sufficiency into the world. We’ve almost collected enough to pay for the first edition, and have already started drafts on the second book!

The book is available in both ebook and paperback formats or you can purchase a copy directly from me.

Visit The Eco Chapter Website

What I can offer: HERE

💌 Let’s talk: change@theecochapter.com

In service of our planet,
💚 Marla Lise, Earthling at The Eco Chapter

You’ve survived the first two weeks of 2026!

That’s something worth celebrating.

I’m celebrating making it through 2025 - what an adventure it was. If you haven’t already, you’re very welcome to read about my year here.

This fortnightly newsletter shares updates on The Eco Chapter’s activities, upcoming events, and reflections along the way.

Thank you for being part of this community, and for tending - in your own ways - to the planet and the many species we share it with.

Care In Communities

Research consistently shows that community is a powerful foundation for well-being.

This year, I’m focusing on tending this community through courses, workshops, and small gatherings. I’m extending it online so more people can take part in meaningful conversations and shared practice.

We’re living in unsettling times, and community matters more than ever. Without it, grief can become paralysing. Communities become a source of healing, hope, and the capacity to keep going together.

This month The Eco Chapter is discussing the big topic -

The polycrisis - what does it mean to you and for your life?

Through:

January’s The Eco Chapter Community Activities

Eco-Book Club

We’ll explore the big topic through “Navigating the Polycrisis - Mapping the Futures of Capitalism and the Earth” by Michael J Albert.

These book clubs focus on the themes and questions the books open up, rather than on literary analysis or close reading. The book simply offers shared material to think with. You’re welcome whether you’ve read it fully, partially, or not at all. I curate each session so everyone can join the conversation without feeling behind or underprepared.

Click here to join the conversation 25 January 4-7pm GMT+8

[A PDF of the book is available on the course site.]

Eco-Literacy Workshop

To understand the polycrisis, we first need to explore what’s driving it. This month, I’m hosting an online Climate Fresk: a 3-hour, interactive workshop that uses collective intelligence and collaborative learning to map the connections between human activities and climate change.

Click here to join the session 26 January 7-10pm GMT+8

(Only space for 6 pax. but more sessions coming soon!)

People, Planet, Pollinators

PPP is back at Kult Yard, Singapore on 27 January from 7pm + GMT+8.
Come meet fellow community members, exchange stories, discuss the big topic together, and make some new friends in this informal, UNcorporate meet-up.

Join for FREE!

It’s A Wrap

Each month, I’ll host a wrap-up webinar that weaves together the ideas, insights, and discussions that emerged around the big topic.

Click here to join 31 January 4pm GMT+8

The Eco Chapter Interprets

I recently published the first edition of a paid sustainability intelligence and interpretation offering where I weed out the bullsh*t and tell you what’s important.

Great if you feel:

• Overwhelmed by sustainability

• Confused by information overload

• Suspicious of greenwashing

• Pressured to “act” without clarity

• Tired of ESG jargon and performative optimism

This is for:

• SME founders and consultants who need to talk about sustainability credibly

• Burnt-out sustainability professionals questioning the system

• Employees getting ready to transition to a sustainability career

• Anyone curious about what’s happening in the sustainability industry

This weekly Sustainability snippet focuses on:

1. The Signal
   What actually matters this week

2. The Noise
   What’s being overhyped, greenwashed, or misrepresented

3. Why This Matters
   Systems thinking and long-term implications

Subscribe to The Eco Chapter Interprets.

Better Future Narratives

In October 2024, I wrote an article called Imagine a Future and shared it on LinkedIn. Someone suggested I turn it into a series - or even a book. I scoffed at the idea. Then the universe intervened. A writing coach who had been reading my Substack reached out, wanting to work together. His only request, in exchange for coaching, was that I commit to starting a book project.

That’s how Dreams of Unwritten Futures began.

A year later, it was published - a collaborative effort by six of us who volunteered our stories, poems, and illustrations, all rooted in hope, reciprocity, and sufficiency.

I’m now crowdfunding The Better Future Narratives Project to work with more writers and bring more of these stories into the world.

I’d also love to work with students on a youth anthology and have designed a 6-week course to support that process. (Please let me know if this is of interest, and share it with anyone else who might be.)

The book is available in both ebook and paperback formats or you can purchase a copy directly from me.

Me This Month

I’m trying to go slow.

To recover from last year, from being sick, and to avoid getting caught up in the panic of uncertainty. I’m writing, building content and returning to slow creating - writing short poems with pen, paper, and crayons. I’m sharing my first edition here.

I hope it reminds you to make space for creating too, in whatever quiet way feels right for you.

In nature, January is still a season of rest and hibernation.

Just because the Gregorian calendar tells us it’s time to accelerate doesn’t mean you have to.

Move gently, take breaks, rest, and align with your rhythm rather than forcing intense new beginnings before you’re ready.

I find I need to do things before giving them time to emerge on their own - limiting their progress, or forcing things to happen. I am trying to intentionally stop that. What do you feel you need to do before we move into the Year of the Horse?

Work With Me

The Eco Chapter is an eco-literacy and regenerative storytelling consultancy.

I recorded a webinar in December on Eco-Literacy and Regenerative Storytelling for SMEs. You’re welcome to watch it here.

I’m available for paid engagements, including:

➡️ Keynote talks, panels, and panel moderation
➡️ Workshops, trainings, and guest lectures
➡️ Eco-literacy programmes for teams and organisations
➡️ Community-building and CSR events
➡️ Sustainability and impact storytelling (talks, copy, narratives)
➡️ Custom trivia and interactive learning experiences

Visit The Eco Chapter Website

What I can offer: HERE

💌 Let’s talk: change@theecochapter.com

In service of our planet,
💚 Marla Lise, Earthling at The Eco Chapter

13 November 2024

What if the words we use every day could change the world?

The response I get when I ask people to come for my writing workshops is a ‘very demure’, “Ha ha! I don’t write.”

But – we all write.

Writing isn’t limited to novels and articles.

You don’t have to be a writer to write.

You write texts, emails, random comments on social media, birthday cards, speeches, presentations, references, letters, applications, shopping lists, CVs …

You write. Ubiquitously.

That’s how important writing is as a life skill. And you know how much power words have, written or otherwise. The misuse and miscommunication of words have made their, often irreparable, impact on your relationships more than once, I’m sure.

They have had an irreparable part to play in the ecological crisis too.

Words have shaped our perceptions of what is. Words have told us that we have to do, build, buy, consume, produce. Words craft our job descriptions, promotion notifications, and death certifications. Words bring us into the world, let us make sense of it, and then, take us back out of it.

Words. They’re what we are. We are made of words. We are made of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. We dream in words, we work in words, we love in words, and we fall apart in words.

Being exposed to the same words for most of our lives makes new ideas difficult to comprehend. We are used to concepts of death and destruction, of calamity and catastrophe, and of an army of Armageddon assailants.

How can we command our minds to think of a better world then?

A world of peace, sufficiency, community, and good faith.

To change our world – we must first change our words.

Through writing.

Writing reworks words into new narratives. Writing paints images of new normals. Writing alters negative perceptions into promises of positive ones. Writing reveals better future narratives.

A dear friend wrote, “humanity will not solve the climate problem, at least until there is no other choice. The problem cannot be fixed until people think differently.”

And how do we inspire someone to think differently?

We write.

Writing rewires your brain. That’s why journaling is such a powerful therapy technique. Writing as therapy helps to name negative emotions or thoughts and reframe them.

Writing literally alters the brain’s neuroplasticity by using the prefrontal cortex for complex thinking, planning, and decision making. Writing allows a person’s thoughts to be more organised and focused, further strengthening neural pathways. This also makes the brain more resilient and more creative.

Writing helps you connect the dots, clarify thoughts, and turn them into relatable concepts specifically for you or whoever you’re writing for. It allows you to be concise since in many times you can’t sit next to the person and ramble through your verbal diarrhoea to make sense of the flurry of thoughts now leaving your mouth.

Writing helps you to remember things. Memory is formed at the hippocampus and writing solidifies the new knowledge. Handwriting in particular. Have you heard of the rule of seven? This idea suggests that we need to encounter a new concept seven times for it to stick. With writing – you engage multiple senses at once – seeing, thinking, reading, and repeating words in your mind – rote learning your new knowledge into your toolbox.

So then, if our ecological problem cannot be fixed until people think differently – writing can help:

With writing we can paint them pictures with language often unheard.

With rainbows and butterflies crafted in nothing but hopeful words.

Remind them they’re safe, insecurities are unnecessary.

Everyone is vulnerable. It is a human trait we all carry.

Tell them stories of love with nothing but compassion.

Show them that we can do it, we just need the right action.

We just need to be shown the way through crafting better future narratives - words will be the breadcrumbs. They’ll be the peaceful, beautiful, compassionate ‘weapons’ of mass re-education.

We all write.

Why not write for the planet?

I’m setting up lots of eco-literary resources for free at The Eco Chapter @ Skool.

Read this for more information.

Start slow. Words may not be your thing yet - but now you’re writing for a bigger purpose. Who knows - You might fall in love with words. Words that save our planet.

Dear reader,

Thank you for your continued support.

I’d like to announce that I am creating an online community of #planetwriters on an educational platform called, Skool.

Words are so powerful in shaping concepts and perceptions about the ecological and human crises that are plaguing our planet. My work at The Eco Chapter focuses on using words to change perceptions and shift mindsets in order to bring about a systemic change. Tackling the problem at the root. I see how language shapes our perceptions of concepts, places, and people.

I’ve been fortunate to build a physical network of people, my tribe, and I would like this community to transcend geographical barriers. If technology is going to run rampant in our lives, we had might as well use it to build an entire movement of #planetwriters, globally.

I spent my life volunteering and working in rural NGOs with wildlife conservation and marine conservation. I’ve seen the beauty of the world and would like to continue my work towards saving it with the skills I have. I’ve also worked with C-suite adults who are almost handicapped by language skills when English is a 2nd or 3rd language.

Therefore, I hope this online community grows so that we can share our writing, thoughts, and improve our English language and writing skills in order to disseminate information to the rest of the world.

I am constantly learning everyday, in order to share more with you.

How it works. Head to the site, click on the CLASSROOM tab and start with HELLO - START HERE - Introduction. Introduce yourself on the community discussion board, comment on posts, share articles and writing, and enjoy the community.

Skool works as a game. The more you comment and post, the more points you have to unlock levels and courses. You’ll also find a myriad of other communities on there that you might like, most for free.

On The Eco Chapter @ Skool, you will find courses on how to improve your English language, writing tips, Eco Books, Eco information, daily writing prompts, and creative writing courses.

My page is still under construction but I hope while I build it, we can build this community of dreamers, believers, and whimsical storytellers - a community of #planetwriters to craft better future narratives with collective intelligence, an open sharing community, and collaborative learning.

Here, I also hope to empower individuals that are not already in this literary space with the knowledge and language tools necessary to drive meaningful environmental change, foster passionate communities that reshape perceptions, challenge current narratives, and advocate for 'the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.'

I look forward to doing all this with your support and input. Comments and feedback are welcome as I embark on this very daunting tech journey.

The more people in the community, the more support, learning, love, and words we will have.

The community is currently completely free but I will be creating paid aspects and paid courses soon. I also have recently added a paid subscription option to this Substack.

By the way, if you would like to make your own online educational community on Skool, you can use my referral link to get started.

Join me for these upcoming online events at The Eco Chapter @ Skool

• Christmas drinks - online Xmas drinks: 22/12/2024 at 4pm (GMT+8)

• Eco Book Club #1 - on this first virtual book club session we’re discussing Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman. Stay tuned for writing prompts based on this book: 26/01/2025 at 4pm (GMT+8)

See you at Skool!