What Could Possibly Go Right?

Lyla June, musician, anthropologist, and activist, introduces us to the Seven Generations New Deal and how applying this has the potential to create “what could possibly go right”. Her interview insights included: That it’s hard to imagine what the world could be like, when we're so busy fighting what it's like.That economy is inseparable from ecology; you can destroy ecology to help the economy for only a short time, before your whole house of cards collapses. That the systems and conceptual frameworks that got us into this climate crisis will not get us out of it. The value of respecting indigenous science and looking to those societies with a proven track record of sustainability for solutions.That considering the inequity of who will have to pay for others’ climate mistakes, this reframing shifts emissions reduction from a scientific option to an ethical obligation.The importance of climate education and that everyone deserves to be informed from a multicultural perspective, not just the Eurocentric view.That we need visionary, forward thinking voices that push lawmakers to think completely differently.Visit www.sgnd.info to read more about the Seven Generations New Deal.Connect with  Lyla JuneWebsite: www.lylajune.com/Facebook: www.facebook.com/lylajuneFollow WCPGR on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhatCouldPossiblyGoRightPodcastTwitter: https://twitter.com/postcarbonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/postcarboninstitute/Learn more: https://bit.ly/pci-wcpgrseriesSupport the showComplete Show Notes

Peter Buffett is a musician, author, philanthropist and co-president of NoVo Foundation. With his varied background, he presents his thoughts on “What could possibly go right?” including:That we are in a rebirth moment, though this beauty and change can be a painful process.That we are “a species out of context” and the pandemic is changing our relationship to education, food, neighbors; everything is up for grabs.That homeschooling has children and parents alike reconsidering what education and learning can be.That there’s a rising wider awareness around the inequality of many systems. That those with privilege should be listening closely to others with fewer opportunities and move resources towards new imaginative spaces and a more equitable world.That in considering the question of “What could possibly go right?”, we need to think about whose version of “right” we’re looking at.That we need to hold space for vulnerability and recognition that we are all flawed human beings, working to heal from backgrounds with ancestral trauma - a beautiful but slow and sometimes painful process.Learn more: https://bit.ly/pci-wcpgrseriesSupport the showComplete Show Notes

Nina Simons considers our question of “What could possibly go right?” from her view as Co-Founder of nonprofit, Bioneers. As she does a joy dance that the not-so-great normal may be over, she shares these thoughts:That COVID-19 is presenting an opportunity to shift from an "I" consciousness to a "We" consciousness; to recognize we are all one family on this Earth.That a culture informed by patriarchy, capitalism and an extractive economy has oriented us towards activity and what’s outside, rather than reflection and what's on the inside. That there is a gift in having to shelter in place, allowing time for becoming more mindful of our inner state which can bring us into action in a whole different way.That our capacity to feel joy is related to our capacity to face the challenging, dark stuff within.That the Just Transition model recognizes the full interdependence of economy, ecology and culture; describing how we can shift from a system of extraction and exploitation, to one centered in caring, well-being and regeneration. That the absence of travel has meant a growing tendency to localize, to get to know our neighbors and to increase involvement in local politics and issues. That there’s an increased awareness that everything has always been uncertain, despite the illusion of certainty and security.That it’s not just about reclaiming power from the top, but for many in the middle range of having power and privilege to be willing to give something up and take risks for change.Learn moreSupport the showComplete Show Notes

President & Founder of Hip Hop Caucus, Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., brings his perspectives on racial justice, youth empowerment, climate change, and faith to the big question of “What could possibly go right?” His insights include:How young people are communing with their spirituality and are using it to focus their fight for justice.How the current state of the country now is akin to a heart attack for someone who has been ignoring the things that make themselves healthy.How we've been investing in things, not to bring us together, but to tear us apart.How the current urgency and passion in the racial justice movement is driven by understanding that if we don't get it right now, it'll have disastrous effects moving forward.How it isn’t the change but the transition that can throw you for a loop.How the first thing to do in this “healing crisis” is to realize what got us to this point and to work through that pain of awareness. How we cannot do the work regarding climate justice if it doesn't have a racial justice framework.Connect with  Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr.Hip Hop Caucus: hiphopcaucus.org/Twitter: twitter.com/revyearwoodInstagram: instagram.com/revyearwood/Follow WCPGRFacebook: facebook.com/WhatCouldPossiblyGoRightPodcastTwitter: twitter.com/postcarbonInstagram: www.instagram.com/postcarboninstitute/Learn more: https://bit.ly/pci-wcpgrseriesSupport the showComplete Show Notes

For today’s “What Could Possibly Go Right?” Carolyn Raffensperger brings her perspective as an environmental lawyer and Executive Director of the Science and Environmental Health. She shares these ideas:The impact of applying the "precautionary principle" towards preventing suffering; this idea of taking positive action in the face of scientific uncertainty and the likelihood of harm.That there is an opportunity to rethink what government is for; working to avoid preventable suffering by promoting the well-being of its people instead of over-emphasizing economic growth.That the long-time work of activists has provided a bank of solutions, and that the focus now should be in cross-conversation and efforts across sectors. That the overarching frame of racism has shifted our picture of other issues and systems, such as economics, capitalism, the environment and public health.Learn moreSupport the showComplete Show Notes

Heather Cox Richardson addresses the question of What Could Possibly Go Right? with a political focus. Her insights include:That the current condition is waking people up from autopilot and creating the realization they need to pursue change personally to create the society in which they want to live.A reminder that the beauty of a democratic system is getting to choose which direction to go.That the desire for equality of opportunity and access should no longer be pushed to the narrative of special interest in politics.The potential to innovate and create change through crowdsourcing government and society.That the American dream needs to be rewritten and move away from the heteronormative nuclear family as its centerpiece, to a more community-centered and diverse view.Support the showComplete Show Notes

Activist Tim DeChristopher presents his views on our big question with themes of identity, environmentalism and spirituality.How the pandemic has disrupted the flimsy “identity-making” of capitalist culture, as people feel called toward more authenticity and human connection. How social media may hinder creativity and empowerment, including in responses to social crises.How a renewed relationship to mortality and vulnerability will have a profound impact on how we move into the next period of history on earth.How a new and different mindset could be the greatest gift that we get out of this disruption.Support the showComplete Show Notes

In today’s episode, Severn Cullis-Suzuki gives her perspective that spans from addressing the UN at age 12 through to her life-long activism for environment and Indigenous rights. Her insights include:The serendipity that led to speaking at the UN’s Earth Summit in 1992 and the impact of this message that went viral.The disconnect between what we value as individuals and what our society upholds.The care of earth and its natural systems as fundamental to indigenous values.The opportunity within this current moment of global humility for mainstream society to learn from ancient cultures who’ve survived and can show us the way.Support the showComplete Show Notes

Dr. Susanne Moser brings her work’s emphasis on climate change adaptation to the question of “What Could Possibly Go Right?” Her insights include:That hope requires uncertainty. “If you're completely convinced that we're doomed, or if you're completely convinced all is going to be fine, you don't need hope... Only if the future isn't written can we possibly wish for hope.”How these last few months are encouraging people to open up conversation in areas that previously felt off limits.The feeling of breaking apart and collapse is often a crucial piece in enabling transformation to begin.Considering how to add greater resilience into our systems to reduce vulnerability in the midst of complex, compounding events.The focus on basic needs in Maslow’s hierarchy during crises, especially safety.That if we're not emotionally safe or politically safe to express our differences, we do not have community safety.Support the showComplete Show Notes

Food Revolution Network Co-Founder Ocean Robbins shares his vision and recent observations of our world, including:The complexity and ingenuity within us and all lifeforms, supporting resilience and the ability to meet challenges in creative ways none of us could have imagined.Calling in as much joy, love and beauty as possible into our world, within a greater context of awe, respect and reverence. Acknowledging our moral obligation to be on the right side of history and bring our lives into alignment with our values. The learning potential in this current large experiment in mass cooperation, including for climate change action.The challenge of food justice and lifestyle-induced illness, with links to poverty and race.The positive benefits for health and food security from the resurgence in backyard gardening and “Victory Gardens” during the pandemic.Support the showComplete Show Notes