Changing Your Mind to Change Climate Catastrophe
Paul Stamets, Jane Poynter, and more on what we need in the climate journey ahead
Hi pal,
Checking in to see if you’re still recovering from last week’s LinkedIn Mardi Gras (SXSW)?
Even if you weren’t physically here in Austin last week, I’m sure every other newsletter you’re opening right now is recapping the talks, parties, and concerts you missed or intentionally avoided. I’ll admit, I am going to mention the panel I was on last week because 1. It was really cool 2. If you’re feeling depressed about the recent UN Climate report that told us we only have ten years to get our shit together before every day is hades, consider my SXSX panel recap a tonic for your ailments.
Here’s why:
Our panel included an all star cast: Mycologist and author Paul Stamets (the main expert featured in Fantastic Fungi), who is known for his many books on mushrooms and the power of psychedelics, Jane Poynter, the founder, co-CEO and CXO of Space Perspective, a luxury space travel company and is also known for being one of the crew members of Biosphere 2 from the early 90s, David Zuniga of Axiom Space, and me: a former media exec (Founding Editor in Chief of MUNCHIES, and most recently EIC of Thrillist) turned entrepreneur. At first glance, it seemed like an oddball crew: what do a mycologist well versed in psychedelics, two aerospace executives, and a regenerative farming/circularity expert have in common? A conversation on how shifting your preconceived notions and perspectives can actually help drive change for ourselves and our planet alike.
Paul Stamets reflected on the inherent intelligence that exists in the fungi kingdom and its infinite possibilities for regeneration. Jane Poynter and Paul Zuniga discussed why carbon neutral space flights for public travel are rooted in shifting our respect and understanding of where we live. I talked about what we talk about here together in this newsletter every other week: how examining our individual relationship to nature, our worldview, how thinking in a circular approach—asking how manmade systems can mimic nature’s natural systems—and investing in and employing great care in regenerative farming can reshape what’s possible in the path ahead regarding climate change projections.
It’s too easy to get bogged down in the darkness (take it from someone who worked in media as long as I did). I’m not saying that the literal 10 year climate catastrophe projection we currently face isn’t the greatest challenge that humanity has grappled with thus far, but we’ve really treated our Mother poorly (and fast tracked it over the last 300 years) to get ourselves into this jam.
OK we’re here. Now what?
Here’s the thing: The climate solutions across every single carbon producing industry and faction of life have tangible solutions—just pop over to Project Drawdown and browse the library.
Instead, I want to leave you with some questions to get into a headspace where climate optimism becomes tangible. Maybe you’re already there, and if so, high five!
The first question is one that the wise and brilliant James Skeet of Spirit Farm (who I’ve talked to here before) asked me a few years ago: “What is your relationship to time? Do you try to control it, or let it reveal itself to you?”
While you reflect on it, I’ll ask a few more:
What were you doing during lockdown, and did your relationship to nature change then? Is it better or worse now?
What does community mean to you? How do you show up for community?
What does reciprocity mean to you and how do you live in reciprocity?
How close to colonization and white supremacy do you live and how does it impact/dictate/control/oppress/show up in your life?
Do you own the land, or does the land own you?
When you fast forward to the end of your life, would those who loved you describe the meaning of who you are by the work that you did, or is who you are everything that exists outside of capitalism?
I’m not going to abandon you in asking you these questions (I’m still chewing on them myself, unlearning certain things and shifting certain parts of myself). And if none of this resonates and you got this far down in the newsletter, I respect that, but I do want to point out that you’re still reading this, which probably means that there is some part of you that’s actually curious about your answers to these questions. As your friend, I’m encouraging you to stay with curiosity and dig deeper, and drop me a line with what has bubbled to the surface for you. I really wanna know. And if you find me annoying, the questions are working.
And since we are friends, I want to shout out some of the organizations, leaders, and change makers that are lighting the kindling that keeps my bonfire of climate action going:
In early April, Bioneers is hosting a conference on climate disruption (where you can hear change makers like James and Joyce Skeet of Spirit Farm speak). Slow Factory, the environmental and social justice nonprofit is hosting a series of call to action events in May that will leave you feeling fired up and ready to go. Enroll in a FREE course on the circular economy through The Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Subscribe to Mold Magazine and tickle your brain on systems design and what the future of the food system might look like.
Just like the microbes in the soil that are working so hard right now to feed the plants that feed us, none of us are alone in this complicatedly beautiful universe. It’s too easy to sit back and give up on what’s possible in the battle ahead. Besides, NASA confirmed we’re all made of stardust, which can only mean that we’ve got to stay curious and engaged to get back home and keep this home as healthy as possible while we’re here for the multiple generations waiting to enter in after us. There’s only ever going to be one of you—uniquely you—that exists on planet Earth. How do you want to spend the rest of your time here? I’m fired up and ready to go. Are you?
Your friend,
HH
Oh hey! You’re still reading this? If you have future topics, smart humans, or concepts you’d like to see featured, respond to this newsletter or drop me a line and say hey: Helen@HelenHollyman.com.