Integrating approaches to resilience
On Friday, June 7th, 2024, Dekila Chungyalpa...
Stephen Posner 3 min read
Category
Pathways to Planetary Health
Indy Johar on The Common Good and Exploring Islands of Coherence
On Friday, March 22, 2024, Indy Johar joined...
Integrating Inner & Outer Systems Change
We cannot solve complex sustainability issues using the approaches we’ve employed in the past. We need different approaches – and different mindsets – than those we’ve drawn on thus far.
These approaches and mindsets emerge from looking inward at the same time as we make outer change – from reflecting deeply on what’s here now as we grapple with complex and persistent predicaments like climate change and nature loss, social justice, trauma, and exploitative economic systems.
Islands of Coherence
““When a complex system is far from equilibrium, small islands of coherence in a sea of chaos have the capacity to shift the entire system to a higher order.” Quote by Ilya Prigogine, Nobel Prize-winning chemist. From March 15 to 17, 2023, a group of about 80 leaders gathered at the Garrison Institute for a Pathways to Planetary Health Symposium focused on the commons. Systems change was a recurrent theme at this meeting. One participant mentioned Ilya Prigogine’s quote above about “islands of coherence” as a way to think about shifting social systems.
Leah Penniman on Black Earth Wisdom
On March 31, Leah Penniman joined Garrison Institute co-founder Jonathan P. Rose for a conversation about how farming and living in deep connection with land can heal and fortify the planet and ourselves.
Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire with Rebecca Henderson
According to Harvard University professor Rebecca Henderson, capitalism is the most successful economic system in history, yet it’s in danger of destroying itself – and our world. While some may be paralyzed by the enormity of the task facing humanity, Henderson’s 2020 book Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire offers hope: if you, as an individual, can make even a single company a better place to work, you can change lives and be part of a driving the larger social and political changes that are needed.
Gross National Happiness as a Keystone in Sustainable Growth with Tshewang Wangchuk
According to the World Economic Forum, Bhutan has considerably and measurably improved its economic, environmental, social and governance situation in the last four decades, and is on the verge of graduating from “Least Developed Country” status this year. The Bhutan Foundation is an independent and objective partner to the King of Bhutan and its government.
Heath Nero on the Power of Protecting Public Lands
In this discussion, Nero cautioned against “fortress conservation,” in which local communities are excluded from the conservation efforts and do not reap any benefits. He highlighted that conservation is most successful when done in concert with indigenous and first nations – in fact, that partnership can be a pathway to reconciliation and more resilient local communities and economies.
Inner Resources for Collective Action on Climate Crisis
On October 6, Garrison Institute Co-Founder Jonathan F.P. Rose joined Jamie Bristow, a leading expert on completive practice and public life, for a discussion on the “inner dimension” of addressing climate change. Jamie is also the Co-Director of the Mindfulness Initiative, a policy institute based in the United Kingdom that is focused on mindfulness and compassion training that grew out of a program of mindfulness teaching for members of the British Parliament.
Nicole Redvers on Bridging Indigenous Systems and Modern Science
Nicole Redvers joined Garrison Institute co-founder Jonathan F.P. Rose for a conversation about the importance of indigenous voices in planetary health and the common good. Nicole, who co-founded the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation, is also author of The Science of the Sacred: Bridging Global Indigenous Medicine Systems.
Michelle Moore on Leading an Equitable Energy Transition
On August 4th, Michelle Moore joined Garrison Institute co-founder Jonathan F.P. Rose in conversation on leading an equitable energy transition. As CEO of Groundswell, Michelle has empowered communities all over the country to reduce energy costs and add clean energy generation.
Justin Winters on Coexisting with Nature
On July 20th, Justin Winters joined Garrison Institute co-founder Jonathan F.P. Rose in conversation on coexisting with nature. As Justin explained through One Earth’s mission, this requires a three-pronged approach: conserving 50% of lands and oceans; achieving net-zero, regenerative food systems; and a just transition to 100% renewable energy.