22. Make Tea

This week's #52climatesolutions is Make Tea. Grow your own tea garden or forage for delicious tea.

Artwork: Audrey Carter @earthtoauds

Ah, it’s been a big few years full of challenges. Many are ongoing and will be faced still by future generations. The underlying causes of social and environmental problems are many and varied, but it feels like many problems could be traced to white, male violence, greed, and entitlement. Climate change, being an enormous problem that we all face, needs to be tackled in the context of how we act as humans. If our collective actions are dominated by violence and greed, then climate change will continue to be sidelined, overlooked, or suffered. As much as the usual-suspect-solutions are important (e.g. renewables, divesting, local food, reduced consumption), there is a deeper sociological shift that we think is just as necessary – one that involves pause, ritual, reconnection with nature and each other, peace and healing. And the perfect beginning for that shift? This weeks’ #52climatesolutions – make tea.

Tea is the world’s second favourite drink (after water), and for good reason. We’re not focusing here on industrially-produced, big plantation tea - stuff you buy at supermarkets, in synthetic tea bags, that doesn’t provide farmers a living wage. Instead, we want to speak about the peaceful, healing ritual of herbal teas. A few of the right leaves (fresh or dried) collected from your garden, or foraged in your neighbourhood, then steeped in hot water and maybe stirred with a dash of honey, can provide a warm internal hug, soothe nerves, support the immune system and bring quiet.

Drinking tea from plants you’ve harvested helps remind you of your resilience. Try growing sage, chamomile, or mint in a pot. Research local weeds and bushfoods that can be used for tea. Make your own blends or find a favourite and deepen your connection with nature.

Small, nature-based rituals like tea drinking may seem peripheral to climate action. But all positive action starts with good intention. Tea-drinking can be a solitary or communal activity, but it is almost always a positive ritual. A time for reflection or conversation, to consider problems and devise solutions. That headspace seems harder to come by these days. So, take the time for a quiet moment, to make and enjoy a cuppa. 

Photo: Natalie Mendham

Grow or forage your own tea

There are lots of plants you can grow and harvest from for soothing, health-supporting and delicious tea. Make sure you know what you’re growing or foraging and if there are any positive or negative side effects from drinking these teas - a good herb book should help with this. Now’s a perfect time for planting a tea garden. Grow some of these by the back door and you’ll always have tea: