Frontiers of Commoning, with David Bollier

Zoe Gilbertson, a British fashion ecologist, is revolutionizing the fashion industry through sustainable practices like bioregional fibersheds, focusing on crops such as hemp and flax. She discusses her journey from conventional fashion to promoting localized garment production, tackling the ecological harms of fast fashion. The conversation highlights innovative European enterprises, the balance of imagination and practicality in sustainable farming, and the importance of community-driven systems. Gilbertson champions a fashion revolution that fosters ecological practices and celebrates local craftsmanship.

Stefan Gruber, an Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, specializes in urban commons and participatory design. He dives into the intricate battle between capitalism and communal spaces, showcasing cities as incubators for self-determined communities. The influence of grassroots movements on urban policy and projects like the High Line is examined, alongside the historical significance of Red Vienna's housing model. Gruber also discusses redefining ownership in collaborative initiatives and the need for sustainable practices that prioritize communities over markets.

Brandon Letsinger, a Seattle organizer and cofounding director of the Cascadia Department of Bioregion, dives into the roots of bioregional activism in the Cascadia region, spanning from British Columbia to northern California. He highlights the importance of ecological self-reliance and indigenous practices in fostering community resilience against climate change. Letsinger emphasizes collaboration among diverse movements to tackle political challenges and advocates for bioregional learning centers to enhance ecological stewardship and local governance.

Bram Büscher, an activist-scholar in sociology at Wageningen University in The Netherlands, has launched an ambitious international project to invent noncapitalist forms of land conservation. He calls it "convivial conservation." Instead of locking up land as wilderness or using it to make money through ecotourism and genetic patents, "convivial conservation" is about enabling humans to become integral, respectful co-creators with nature. The new Convivial Conservation Centre, with staff in five countries and many allies worldwide, champions constructive, symbiotic human relationships with local ecosystems and the bridging of the deep divide separating humans from nature. More on commons: www.Bollier.org

Safouan Azouzi, a Tunisian scholar of the commons and participatory social design, discusses how cultural traditions in desert oases hold important socio-ecological lessons for the world. For the Global South, long victimized by colonialism and capitalist extraction, oases culture embodies an eco-friendly, alternative vision of development. For the industrial West, oases reveals the importance of commoning in building stable, regenerative economies in sync with ecosystem needs. More on the commons at www.Bollier.org. A PDF transcript of Episode #52 can be found here: https://www.bollier.org/files/misc-file-upload/files/Safouan_Azouzi_Ep._52_transcript.doc.pdf

Chilean political philosopher Camila Vergara discusses plebeian constitutionalism, arguing for citizen assemblies to counter elite abuse. The podcast explores oligarchic foundations of the US Constitution, challenges liberalism's flaws, and advocates for plebeian institutions to empower the common people.

Alon Schwabe and Daniel Fernández Pascual, the artistic duo, blend art and activism to explore local ecosystems, capitalism, and food. They discuss the impact of modern diets on global landscapes and work towards reinventing local foodways through commoning. Topics include the ecological harm of salmon farming, intertidal cohabitation projects, and community-based solar initiatives.

Activist-scholar Nathan Schneider discusses the potential of democratic governance online and its importance for real-world democracy. He emphasizes the need for progressive activists to learn from social movements and use technology creatively. The podcast explores the evolution of the internet, challenges of online democracy, and the importance of grassroots power and democratic innovation.

Will Ruddick discusses 'commitment pooling' in creating community currencies to empower marginalized African groups. The evolution of community currency systems is explored, highlighting the shift towards collective ownership and stewardship. The podcast advocates for redefining ownership through traditional practices in economic commons and breaking free from the wage slavery system.

Kathryn Milun, community-engaged scholar, shares the innovative Solar Commons model, using decentralized solar arrays to generate revenue for community wealth. Challenges faced in implementing solar commons, developing a digital dashboard, and creating prototypes for community solar projects are discussed. The potential of solar commons in right-of-way corridors and public lands is explored, along with the importance of understanding legal, financial, and participatory aspects for creating a solar commons.