A Chat with the Planet
"The only question is whether the world's environmental problems will become resolved in pleasant ways of our own choice, or in unpleasant ways not of our choice, such as warfare, genocide, starvation, disease epidemics, and collapses of societies"
— Jared Diamond, Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive"The only question is whether the world's environmental problems will become resolved in pleasant ways of our own choice, or in unpleasant ways not of our choice, such as warfare, genocide, starvation, disease epidemics, and collapses of societies"
Show Notes
Show Notes
The premise of this premier episode emphasizes three points:
The premise of this premier episode emphasizes three points:
1. Can using human psychology to change human behavior save the planet?
1. Can using human psychology to change human behavior save the planet?
In thinking about how to address environmental challenges, many people overlook the importance of psychology. But whether we focus on causes of the problems or on their consequences, people are relevant: human behavior, human attitudes, and human well-being. Climate and environmental change should be framed as a social dilemma. A conflict between immediate self-interest and long-term collective interest. Focusing on this will drive how individuals and communities can best prepare for and mitigate negative impacts. For effectively reducing ecological change, it is essential to promote a longer-time perspective in addition to strengthening the belief that climate change is real.
In thinking about how to address environmental challenges, many people overlook the importance of psychology. But whether we focus on causes of the problems or on their consequences, people are relevant: human behavior, human attitudes, and human well-being. Climate and environmental change should be framed as a social dilemma. A conflict between immediate self-interest and long-term collective interest. Focusing on this will drive how individuals and communities can best prepare for and mitigate negative impacts. For effectively reducing ecological change, it is essential to promote a longer-time perspective in addition to strengthening the belief that climate change is real.
2. We need a new story with a new heroes — like you.
2. We need a new story with a new heroes — like you.
To fix our environmental fix we have to tell better stories. While images of a negative future are powerful and shocking, people cannot imagine what a positive future would look like.
To fix our environmental fix we have to tell better stories. While images of a negative future are powerful and shocking, people cannot imagine what a positive future would look like.
So what better tool than stories and the power of imagination to narrate the future that we want to build? We can present to humanity a better version of itself. We can better demonstrate a sense of what is possible. Stories help us to share facts, knowledge and experiences about the causes and effects of a changing world. Yet they are more than just educational tools, they also shape our lives and help define us.
So what better tool than stories and the power of imagination to narrate the future that we want to build? We can present to humanity a better version of itself. We can better demonstrate a sense of what is possible. Stories help us to share facts, knowledge and experiences about the causes and effects of a changing world. Yet they are more than just educational tools, they also shape our lives and help define us.
Our stories should celebrate the environmental heroes who are doing everything they can to avoid this doomsday scenario. Of overcoming the odds rather than being overwhelmed by them. Holding onto hope even in the face of unimaginable odds.
Our stories should celebrate the environmental heroes who are doing everything they can to avoid this doomsday scenario. Of overcoming the odds rather than being overwhelmed by them. Holding onto hope even in the face of unimaginable odds.
3. Like death — climate and environmental change is difficult to talk about
3. Like death — climate and environmental change is difficult to talk about
Surveys show that most Americans care deeply about environmental issues, but don't often have the opportunity to discuss it. Why? Some Americans say they rarely hear about global warming in the news. Why? This is the biggest, scariest problem humanity has ever faced. We should be extremely alarmed, but many are not. Why?
Surveys show that most Americans care deeply about environmental issues, but don't often have the opportunity to discuss it. Why? Some Americans say they rarely hear about global warming in the news. Why? This is the biggest, scariest problem humanity has ever faced. We should be extremely alarmed, but many are not. Why?
The fact is our individual choices do matter. Our sustainable lifestyle decisions do make a difference. Those actions tell companies that customers are interested in being green, which will help influence their business practices. They inspire other people around you to do the same, helping to normalize these actions and multiply the effect.
The fact is our individual choices do matter. Our sustainable lifestyle decisions do make a difference. Those actions tell companies that customers are interested in being green, which will help influence their business practices. They inspire other people around you to do the same, helping to normalize these actions and multiply the effect.
Climate change and eco-system destruction is a systemic global issue and we need collective action by multiple institutions to tackle it. It starts with the lifestyle stuff: small changes to the way you shop, travel and do things around the house. Keep yourself informed, share knowledge and discuss climate issues with your friends and coworkers. This leads to political activism and other forms of action. Listen in, and learn how you can turn individual activism into collective movement that will make a difference.
Climate change and eco-system destruction is a systemic global issue and we need collective action by multiple institutions to tackle it. It starts with the lifestyle stuff: small changes to the way you shop, travel and do things around the house. Keep yourself informed, share knowledge and discuss climate issues with your friends and coworkers. This leads to political activism and other forms of action. Listen in, and learn how you can turn individual activism into collective movement that will make a difference.
— Mentioned in This Episode —
— Mentioned in This Episode —
Point 1: Human psychology and human behavior
Point 1: Human psychology and human behavior
Point 2: We need a new stories with a new heroes
Point 2: We need a new stories with a new heroes
How can one tree tell the story of climate change?
How can one tree tell the story of climate change?
Point 3: Like death — climate and environmental change is difficult to talk about. We need to talk about it.
Point 3: Like death — climate and environmental change is difficult to talk about. We need to talk about it.
Ted Talks
Ted Talks
“One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds.”
“One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds.”
― Aldo Leopold :: American author, philosopher, scientist, ecologist, forester, conservationist, and environmentalist
― Aldo Leopold :: American author, philosopher, scientist, ecologist, forester, conservationist, and environmentalist
The Doom & Gloom portion I didn't talk about
The Doom & Gloom portion I didn't talk about
