Pathways to Planetary Health Forum

The Pathways to Planetary Health Forum presents written thought pieces and curated dialogues with leading experts and practitioners in ecology, new economics, sustainable business, contemplative practice, and the arts to help elucidate pathways. The online forums are free and open to the public. Please join the conversation!

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Pathways to Planetary Health, Read, Systems Thinking

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.

Fellowship, Forum

The Contemplative Artist’s Way

From ancient wisdom traditions to secular and science-based approaches to mindfulness, people have always found ways to engage contemplative practices to foster wellbeing and channel attention. In this Fellowship Forum from April 13, Kenji Summers, Sickamore, Quiana Parks, and Dr. Angel Acosta discussed the creative ways that people are cultivating groundedness amidst this tumultuous historical moment.

Fellowship, Forum

Intraconnected: Embracing Oneness and Human Differences

Drawing on spiritual, scientific, and sociological expertise, this March 23 forum explored insights from Dr. Dan Siegel's new book, Intraconnected. Dr. Siegel, Mirabai Bush, Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, and Garrison Institute Fellowship Director Dr. Angel Acosta explored how to overcome the limiting belief of an isolated and disconnected self, in favor of a self that is “a part of a synergy of systems much bigger than the individual.”

Forum, Pathways to Planetary Health

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.

Forum, Pathways to Planetary Health

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.

Forum, Pathways to Planetary Health

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.

Forum, Pathways to Planetary Health

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.