18th Jun 2024 Gemini 1.5 Pro
This is a summary of a podcast episode of The Regeneration Will Be Funded, hosted by Matthew Monaghan, featuring Kenny Ausubel, co-founder and CEO of Bioneers. The episode was recorded after the 2023 Bioneers Conference in Berkeley, California.
Kenny begins the conversation by emphasizing the positive. Despite very real challenges, he sees the "big wheels turning" in a positive direction, with solutions emerging in many sectors.
Kenny observes that the shift to renewable energy is well underway and irreversible: "It's very clear that the train has left the station for renewable energy...the markets have spoken." He anticipates rapid progress, including technological leaps in clean technologies and climate solutions. He notes that many parts of the world are well-positioned to adopt these new technologies rapidly.
Kenny has been a strong advocate for the Rights of Nature movement since its early days. He recalls first learning about it from attorney Thomas Linzey at Bioneers in 2006:
So they were dealing with a quarry that was about to be built in western Pennsylvania, which is farmland and traditional family farms and actually a very red area. You know, people with big belt buckles and quite conservative views. And the people said, you know, if this is really just this losing game, why are we doing it? Why can't we do something else? And they said, why don't we give nature rights? And that was where that work started in 2006 in this very conservative community in Pennsylvania. And it really caught my attention. And it flips the paradigm.
Kenny emphasizes that the Rights of Nature movement is based on an indigenous paradigm that recognizes humans as part of nature, not separate from it. He sees the movement as a powerful force for change, noting that it has grown into the "fastest-growing environmental movement in history."
Kenny describes how his own upbringing led to a deep appreciation for nature, and how his experiences in New Mexico exposed him to Indigenous cultures and the importance of traditional ecological knowledge. He explains how this influenced the development of Bioneers, which has always included a strong Indigenous presence.
Kenny emphasizes that the Indigenous Forum at Bioneers is fully autonomous, reflecting the organization's commitment to Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination. He describes the forum as a "defining feature" of Bioneers, noting that over 125 tribes were represented at the 2023 conference.
Recognizing the importance of reaching beyond the conference itself, Bioneers has developed a robust media platform to share its message and resources more broadly.
So, you know, I had been, I had made a film, yes, I mentioned before, a feature doc before I started Seeds of Change. And then my years, but I've been, I've always been a writer since I was a kid, basically. And I'd been a journalist before, you know, before I did the film. And um, so when we had the original conference in 1990, we did tape it, audio tape it.
Today, Bioneers produces a weekly radio show, online videos, and educational resources. They are actively exploring new media strategies to further amplify their impact. One new initiative is Bioneers Learning, an online platform that will provide practical training and resources to help people turn their inspiration into action.
Kenny sees a clear shift in power dynamics as essential for creating a more just and sustainable future.
At the governmental level, he believes that real change is more likely to happen at the local and bioregional levels, rather than at the federal level. He points to successful examples of community wealth-building initiatives that are helping to create more equitable and resilient local economies.
Kenny is also highly critical of the influence of corporations on government, arguing that "we're living in a corporate state." He sees a growing awareness of this problem, noting that people are becoming more open to questioning capitalism and exploring alternative economic models. He believes that civil society will play a critical role in driving change, citing examples of grassroots organizations that are effectively addressing issues such as reproductive justice and restorative justice.
Kenny closes by expressing cautious optimism about the future:
But I'm more hopeful than I've been. And I think, in a way, you know, you have to go through the underworld and the burdens of history. And there's a real purge that needs to happen, a real kind of a cleansing.
He acknowledges that time is short but remains confident that positive change is possible if we are willing to engage and take action.
Airtable