Our Work
Just Earth – Cincinnati offers several modalities for learning more about the ecological crisis and helping individuals identify ways to take action. If interested in any of the workshops or events detailed below, please contact Charles Stenken at cstenken@justearthcincy.org. All workshops and events are offered free of charge.
Facilitate: Climate Interactive Workshops and Simulations
Using Climate Interactive’s En-ROADS simulator, Just Earth – Cincinnati facilitates interactive workshops and roleplaying exercises for 8 to 35 people that help participants better understand the variety of strategies being explored and implemented to mitigate climate change. The En-ROADS simulator allows participants to test the effectiveness of these climate solutions that they propose or want to explore. The En-ROADS simulator was developed by Climate Interactive, a nonprofit located in Boston, and the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Facilitate: Climate Fresk Workshops
Just Earth – Cincinnati facilitates Climate Fresk workshops with groups of 5-16 people. The workshop was developed in France in 2015 by Cedric Ringenbach. Climate Fresk is a powerful and accessible tool for providing a deep look into the systemic dynamics of climate change. In a Climate Fresk Workshop, a team of 4-8 participants is presented with five sets of cards sequentially. Each card displays an element of the world in which we live that impacts and/or is impacted by climate change. The task for the team is to place the cards in approximate cause and effect order and to find the relationships among the cards. As the workshop progresses, the team will draw arrows between cards to illustrate the relationships. As participants link the causes and effects of climate change, they are able to take a step back and see the systemic nature of the process that is unfolding.
Beyond Recycling: What Can I Do About the Eco-Crisis?
In this workshop, participants first receive a quick overview of the eco-crisis and societal level solutions. The group then moves into looking at what they might choose to do in five domains of their life to help mitigate the crisis. Participants are also introduced to tools for calculating the impact of the choices they make and are encouraged to set their own personal goals for reducing their footprint.
Facilitate: Deep Time Walks
Following the format co-created by Dr. Stephan Harding and geologist Sergio Maraschin of England, Just Earth – Cincinnati leads groups of 6 to 10 participants on Deep Time Walks. The walk is a transformative journey through 4.6 billion years of Earth history via a 4.6km trek. The walk offers an invitation to view the world differently, to sense the profound connection that we have with the more-than-human world. The walk encourages positive action and advocacy for a regenerative Earth.
Annual Poetry Competition
Each year, Just Earth – Cincinnati (JEC) sponsors a poetry competition and reading on the theme of climate change. The event is held at two levels; one for high school students and one for adults. In 2025, the Events have grown. JEC is partnering with Originary Arts in presenting the traditional poetry competition and reading for high schoolers. We are also partnering with Arts Equity Collective to host a poetry slam for this group.
For adults in 2025, we have partnered with Studio Kroner and its All Else Pales 2 event. Poems that were submitted and selected have been included in a book and/or virtual anthology. JEC is the sponsor for An Evening of Poetry that is being held as part of All Else Pales 2 at Studio Kroner on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. For more information, see the “Events” tab.
Annual Art Competition
Just Earth – Cincinnati (JEC) also sponsors an annual art competition at two levels; one for high school and college students and one for adult artists. In 2024, JEC received 54 submissions which were exhibited at the Pendleton Annex Gallery in April 2024. Submissions are now being accepted for the 2025 competition which will take place at the Art Academy of Cincinnati on Saturday, May 31. See the events tab for more details.
Performing Arts
Just Earth – Cincinnati also utilizes the performing arts to spread the message and open the conversation about the eco crisis.
Just Earth – Cincinnati sponsors performances of Mary Kroner’s wonderful play. Please contact cstenken@justearthcincy.org if you would like to schedule a performance of the play for your group.
Just Earth – Cincinnati is most grateful to Seven Hills Baroque. The ensemble performed at the First Lutheran Church, OTR. Their program included poetry from JEC’s Poetry Competition and the concert was performed as a benefit for Just Earth – Cincinnati.
Book Discussion Groups
Periodically, the staff at Just Earth – Cincinnati choose a book to read and discuss with interested participants. The book to be discussed is announced and a month later, a discussion about the book is held online via Zoom.
The next book for discussion is Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet, by Hannah Ritchie. Goodreads describes the book as follows:
“In this bold, radically hopeful book, data scientist Hannah Ritchie argues that if we zoom out, a very different picture emerges. In fact, the data shows we’ve made so much progress on these problems that we could be on track to achieve true sustainability for the first time in human history.
Packed with the latest research, practical guidance and enlightening graphics, this book will make you rethink almost everything you’ve been told about the environment. From the virtues of eating locally and living in the countryside, to the evils of overpopulation, to plastic straws and palm oil, Not the End of the World will give you the tools to understand our current crisis and make lifestyle changes that actually have an impact. Hannah cuts through the noise by outlining what works, what doesn’t, and what we urgently need to focus on so we can leave a sustainable planet for future generations.
These problems are big. But they are solvable. We are not doomed. We can build a better future for everyone. Let’s turn that opportunity into reality.”