NPR's Book of the Day
'The Serviceberry' and 'Birding to Change the World' draw lessons from nature
Feb 7, 2025
Robin Wall Kimmerer, a botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, discusses her book 'The Serviceberry,' emphasizing economies of abundance and nature's teachings. She advocates for a shift from consumerism to gratitude and interconnectedness. Trish O'Kane, an environmental activist and author of 'Birding to Change the World,' shares her transformative journey from journalist to ornithologist after Hurricane Katrina. She highlights nature's healing power and community engagement through birding, illustrating how observing birds can nurture well-being and connection.
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Quick takeaways
- Kimmerer emphasizes adopting an economy of abundance that prioritizes reciprocity and communal sharing over traditional capitalist consumption for sustainability.
- O'Kane's journey illustrates how personal experiences with nature can inspire political activism and foster community engagement through environmental education.
Deep dives
Embracing an Economy of Abundance
Robin Wall Kimmerer discusses the concept of an economy of abundance as outlined in her new book, The Serviceberry. While harvesting service berries, she reflects on how the generosity of nature can teach humans about sustainable economies that thrive on reciprocity rather than extraction. Kimmerer encourages a shift in mindset to envision human economies that mimic ecological models, focusing on circular and regenerative practices instead of traditional capitalist consumption. She highlights examples from indigenous cultures and everyday life, such as gift economies and community resources like little free libraries, that demonstrate the benefits of sharing and valuing communal resources.
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