Of Reindeer, Donkeys and the verb that is Water. Stories of climate-healing with Judith Schwartz, author of The Reindeer Chronicles

Oct 2, 2024

Judith Schwartz, an environmental journalist and author of 'The Reindeer Chronicles', dives into hopeful narratives of ecological restoration. She challenges the carbon-centric view of climate action, urging a broader focus on water, forests, and indigenous knowledge. Judith discusses the role of donkeys in Australia's ecosystems, blending historical perspectives with modern regenerative practices. The conversation celebrates community-driven initiatives and underscores the importance of storytelling in fostering a more holistic understanding of nature.

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Intro

00:00 • 3min

Holistic Perspectives on Climate Change

02:45 • 18min

Bridging Climate Gaps

20:52 • 22min

Donkeys in Australia's Ecosystem

42:37 • 6min

Understanding Humanity's Past and Indigenous Perspectives

48:19 • 4min

The Struggle for Environmental Awareness and Species Adaptation

51:57 • 2min

Innovative Agriculture and a Joyful Climate Book Launch

54:05 • 3min

Magic in Climate Solutions

56:44 • 16min

How do we move beyond our myopic focus on carbon/CO2 as the index of our harms to the world? What can we do to heal the whole biosphere? And what role is played by water-as-verb, forest-as-verb, ocean-as-verb?

This week's guest is an environmental journalist and author who has answers to all of these questions - and more. Judith Schwartz is an author who tells stories to explore and illuminate scientific concepts and cultural nuance. She takes a clear-eyed look at global environmental, economic, and social challenges, and finds insights and solutions in natural systems. She writes for numerous publications, including The Guardian and Scientific American and her first two books are music to our regenerative ears. The first is called 'Cows Save the Planet' and the next is 'Water in Plan Sight'. Her latest, “The Reindeer Chronicles”, was long listed for the Wainwright Prize and is an astonishingly uplifting exploration of what committed people are achieving as they dedicate themselves to earth repair, water repair and human repair.

Judith was recently at the 'Embracing Nature's Complexity' conference, organised by the Biotic Pump Greening Group which offers revolutionary new insights into eco-hydro-climatological landscape restoration. She's a contributor to the new book, 'What if we Get it Right?' edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, who was one of the editors of All We can Save.

Judith has been described as 'one of ecology's most indispensable writers' and when you read her work, you'll understand the magnificent depth and breadth of her insight into who we are and how we can help the world to heal.

Judith's website https://www.judithdschwartz.com/
Do The Impossible website https://www.dotheimpossible.earth/
Embracing Nature's Complexity Conference https://www.thebioticpump.com/tum-ias-conference-2024
Judith's paper at the conference https://bioticregulation.ru/conf2024/Judith-Schwartz.pdf
Book - What if we get it right? https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-If-We-Get-Right-ebook/dp/B0BPX5GWP8