These are some prompts that I designed to jog thinking or to ask and talk to other people about, with the goal of helping one become more self-conscious about how one thinks about and interacts with the environment.  We consistently experience and enjoy nature without properly appreciating its benefits.

What comes to your head when you hear the word “nature” or “environment?”

When was the last time you took the time to watch a sunset?

Appreciate a beautiful cloud?

Have you ever taken a moment to appreciate the fresh air you are inhaling and exhaling?

Do you keep your lights on when you go to sleep or leave your house?

What comes to mind when you think about nature? 

Everything humanity has comes from the planet, what are you giving back to it?

What do you do with your old clothing, is it repurposed or is it sent to waste?

How would life without trees and forests feel?

Why do you think people care so much about the “green transition?”

A world without tigers, whales, and orangutans?

Can you recall a vivid night sky, with infinite stars and boundless constellations?How did the view make you feel?

Do you replace older appliances for newer more efficient ones at home?

Have you considered having a designated water bottle to use instead of consuming plastic water bottles?

What’s your favorite season? What do you love about it?

Have you ever gone camping or spent a prolonged period in the wild before? What do you remember about the experience?

Can you recall noticing an area that was particularly polluted? How did it impact your view of the place and its inhabitants?

Picture a beautiful view and how it made you feel in the moment.

Imagine a world without swimmable beaches.

What do you hope the world will look like in the future?

How do you want your future generations to experience the natural world?

These are merely prompts, everyone has a unique set of experiences with the environment whether one takes the time to notice those experiences or not.  Appreciating all that the natural world gives us and its boundless beauty, will make us understand why it is so important that we preserve the environment and give us reason to find a balance that can be sustained.  This “Talks Initiative” is a project that hopes to make a person more conscious of one’s preconceived notions when it comes to the natural world.