Jane Goodall spoke at Bioneers, the environmental conference fondly refered to as "Christmas for the Soul"
Leah Lamb
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I've attended the Bioneers Conference for the past five years, and every year it feels like a combination of part back to school, part eco-family reunion, and as Angela Karegeannes says, part Christmas for the soul.
The laziest way to explain Bioneers is to define it as an environmental conference. One could also argue it is the TED conference of the environmental sphere, however, Bioneers has been around longer, and even that over simplifies the conference. So lets wipe the slate clean, and explain the conference as having the following ingredients: It begins with visionaries and leaders who share their ideas and practices for addressing the state of the world, stir in indigenous culture and wisdom and ceremonies, top with a youth movement, stir gently with media wonks and a film festival, combine land rights and permaculture workshops, mix in leading scientists, throw in some more thought leaders and social entrepreneurs, roll in woman’s leadership, mix with workshops on social, racial, and economic justice, sprinkle with music and dance performances, and now we’re cooking with fire and talking about Bioneers.
As Nina Simons, who co-founded the conference with Kenny Ausubel, explains, “We’re reframing the environment as the mother of all issues.” (But I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you it’s a place where eco heroes are treated like rock stars.)
After 3 days, 14 main stage lectures, 6 workshops, and a lot of chitter-chatter in the food lines, it’s impossible to share everything, with that said, there are a few themes rising to the surface that I feel inclined to share:
1)There are as many ways to be involved with the environmental movement as there are snowflakes in the sky:
True to form, Bioneers continues to use broad brush strokes to demonstrate that all it takes to engage with the critical needs of century is to listen to your unique gifts to find your place, purpose, and door way to being an engaged citizen. John Francis made his statement about the danger of fossil fuels through 17 years of silence and 20 years of living without using fossil fuels; Mallika Dutt, Director of Breakthrough is addressing violence against women through innovative media; Dr. James Hansen is dedicated to translating climate science into a story that is interesting and relevant, CEO of Stony Field Farms, Gary Hirshberg is revolutionizing the organic food industry (and transforming the yogurt lids into newsletters that make political statements), Jessica Rimington is educating youth to be global citizens, Mary Gonzales,director of the Gamaliel Foundation is a legendary community organizer; and 16 year old Alec Loorz is taking the government to court. Just to name a few of the things people are up to.
2)The Youth Climate Movement is on fire
But you already knew that.
Bioneers made a statement by opening the conference with 16 year old Alec Loorz, founder of Kids vs Global Warming and 24 year old Jess Rimington, founder of One World Youth Project on the main stage. Loorz’s dynamic and confident manner of speaking has been engaging audiences since he was 14.
Alec had a slew of quotes ready for the iMatter million kid march he is organizing for Mother’s Day 2011, including “Every generation needs a revolution,” and, “It is time to live as if the future matters.” Alec led with a quote by Larry King, “Nobody cares what’s going to happen in fifty years.” Alec’s response, “Easy for him to say, he’ll be dead. I won’t,” and went on to comment that the government is not serving as a good steward for the planet and future generations. “It’s time to take matters into our own hands,” and stated that he will be taking the issue to the courts.
Jessica Rimington, founder of One World Youth Project, has a vision to educate youth on how to be discerning, empathetic, global citizens. She spoke frankly when she stated, “I’m not sure we (her generation) have the skill set to succeed at addressing the climate solution.” She wasn’t referencing technological skills, she was talking about communication and interpersonal skills.
OWYP Promo from owyp on Vimeo.
Listening between the lines of their speeches, it sounded as if they weren’t looking to the older generations for answers or solutions, but instead, are looking to themselves and the rising generations behind them to address the modern crisis.
3) Questions can change the world….especially a random question asked at the right time.
During her speach, Mallika Dutt showed a PSA designed to teach men in India how to intervene when witnessing violence. It showed a man knocking on the door of his neighbor, stopping the violence by asking if he could use the phone.
Mallika Dutt: Changing the Frame from Bioneers on Vimeo.
I couldn't help but notice how well the metaphor applies to the environmental movement. What we are witnessing on many levels (mountain top removal, acidification of the oceans, mass extinction) is epic. And frightening. But the process of stopping long enough to ask a question…any question, may be all that’s needed to change the momentum.
Climate scientist, Dr. James Hansen, asked how he could create a narrative for climate change, which led to his becoming an accidental activist and icon for rising awareness of the impact of climate change and inspired the creation of 350.org.
Chemist John Warner, asked if he touched a chemical compound that created the birth defect in his son, which led to innovating the educational system and creation of the emerging field of Green Chemistry:
John Warner: Intellectual Ecology from Bioneers on Vimeo.
Gary Hirshberg questioned the myths that the dairy industry has to be wasteful, create pollution, and contribute to the issue of cows contributing the CO2 issues. The result of that questioning led to the creation of Stony Field Farms, the largest organic dairy in the world.
Jane Goodall asked, “How can we even try to save the Chimpanzees if the people in the area are struggling to survive?” Which led to the creation of TACARE (Take Care), a program designed to improve the lives in neighboring communities of the Gombe National Park.
3. Love is the message, Story is the new black, and Myth Busting is in
Andy Lipkis, founder of treepeople, opened with a quote from Ram Dass, “What calls us to action is our heart…” and went on to bust the myth,“The one species the world can do happily without is us.”
“What if that wasn’t true? What if nature has adapted us to be it's healers?” Lipkis challenged. If you aren’t familiar with his work you might be imagining your run of the mill tree hugger. While Andy is a tree hugger of the first right, he has successfully integrated his beliefs into some of the most main stream public agencies brokering large scale projects in LA with the goal of making cities sustainable while mitigating floods, drought, pollution, and global warming. Called “Functioning Community Forests,” it is being demonstrated in L.A. as a model for cities everywhere. Lynne Twist talked about love being the driving force to the creation of Four Years. Go,
and Dr. James Hansen said while journalists may call him the grandfather of climate change, he wanted to set the record straight and showed us pictures of his grandchildren.
Nearly every speaker went myth hunting and busting; from “we don’t have enough time”, to “the earth will be the gift that keeps on giving,” to “technology will solve all of our problems.” Lipkis summed it up with, “We have the opportunity to be architects for a whole new story.”
You can hear it for yourself on the Bioneers Radio Show, or watch Videos on Vimeo.
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