Topic: Ecology

[ Episode #87 // Permaculture Paradigm ]

Usually we think of permaculture as a system for land and food, where humans work with the flows and systems of nature. Can we also apply permaculture to societies? To our justice or education systems? Can we reorganize our civilization to live on yield rather than the principle before depleting our most important stocks?

In Extraenvironmentalist #87 we talk about the ideas permaculture offers to our societies. First, we hear from a series of interviews and discussions at North American permaculture conferences and convergences. Then, we have several segments with Toby Hemenway as he highlights basic design principles of permaculture, the paradigm shift they entail and the ways to restructure our civilization from agriculture toward horticulture.

 

// Speakers in Order of Apperance

Chuck Marsh - www.livingsystemsdesign.net
Rennie Davis - betribe.org
Andrew Millison – PDC Online
Don Tipping - www.sevenseedsfarm.com
Mark Robinowitz – www.peakchoice.org
Jude Hobbs - cascadiapermaculture.com
Pandora Thomas - www.pandorathomas.com
Scott Pittman - www.permaculture.org
Jenny Pell – www.communitybydesignllc.org
Claudia Joseph - permaculture-exchange.org
Kelda Lorax – www.divinearthgp.com
Rick Valley – earthkeeperlandscaping.com
Charlotte Anthony – handsonpermaculture1.org
Penny Livingston - regenerativedesign.org
Toby Hemenway - patternliteracy.com
Joel Salatin - www.polyfacefarms.com
Larry Santoyo - www.permacultureacademy.com
Jacki Saorsail - www.gaiauniversity.org
Peter Bane - http://www.permacultureactivist.net

// Books

Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture by Toby Hemenway
The Permaculture City: Regenerative Design for Urban, Suburban, and Town Resilience by Toby Hemenway
The Permaculture Handbook: Garden Farming for Town and Country by Peter Bane

// Music (in order of appearance)

Problems - Titles via OneandThree
Lapa - Roadwalk via Loci Records
Emancipator - Diamonds via Loci Records
Nym - Lesser Known Good via Loci Records
Misun - Nobody Knows via Et Musique Pour Tous
Timbre - Song of the Sun via Earmilk

// Production Credits and Notes

Our editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Episode #87 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

Nathan in Ontario
Benny in the noosphere
Armand in New York
Gavin in Virgina

(more…)

[ Episode #83 // Degrowth 2014 // Part B ]

The degrowth movement seeks to decolonize a cultural imaginary that is currently directed to expand the scale and scope of a materially extractive economy. Through adopting strategies like voluntary simplicity and convivial activities, degrowth advocates aim to create an economic system that is compatible with the biosphere. Are the ideas and concepts of degrowth ready for a wider debate?

In Extraenvironmentalist #83 we publish a much belated podcast to wrap-up our two part series on the 2014 International Degrowth Conference where The Extraenvironmentalist team was livestreaming and recording sessions. We first hear from post-growth researcher André Reichel about whether solutions for climate change are cheap and easy. Then, we speak with three of the Degrowth 2014 organizers, Christopher Laumanns, Jonas Streicher and Malo Vidal about the state of the conversation on growth in Germany. Next, we hear a recap from our chief blog editor and EU correspondent Louisa Clarence-Smith as she interviews Federico Demaria about how he balances academic work on degrowth with living those concepts on an organic olive oil cooperative. To close out 2015 for the XE podcast, Seth and Justin discuss views on whether the Global North should degrow so the Global South can grow, as highlighted by the viewpoints of Sunita Narain and Giorgos Kallis.

 

// Links and News Items

Paul Krugman: Could fighting global warming be cheap and free
Paul Krugman on whether energy is a limit to growth
New Climate Economy Report

// Books

Degrowth: A Vocabulary for a New Era by by Giacomo D'Alisa, Federico Demaria & Giorgios Kallis

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Breaks]

Conversations with degrowth conference attendees as recorded by Louisa Clarence-Smith

[End]

Nate Hagens on Degrowth vs. Limits to Growth?

// Music (in order of appearance)

Caribou - Back Home (umami edit)
The Avener - Fade Out Lines (Synapson Remix)
Indiana - Only The Lonely (Fred Falke Remix)
Ed Sheeran - I See Fire (Kalev Remix)
Son Little - The River (DGTO Remix)

// Production Credits and Notes

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Episode #83 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

Ian in Australia
Dave in British Columbia
Joseph in Missouri
Linda from Canada

(more…)

[ Episode #82 // Degrowth 2014 // Part A ]

The degrowth movement seeks to redefine a cultural imagination focused on expanding the scale and scope of a materially extractive economy. Through adopting strategies like voluntary simplicity and convivial activities, degrowth advocates aim to create an economic system that is compatible with the biosphere. Are the ideas and concepts of degrowth ready for a wider debate?

In Extraenvironmentalist #82 we look at Part A of a two part series on the 2014 International Degrowth Conference where The Extraenvironmentalist team was livestreaming and recording sessions. We first hear from Hartmut Rosa on ideas for subverting the motivations in our own lives which replicate the logic of unsustainable growth. Then, we talk to Geoff Garver, one of the lead organizers of the 2012 Montreal Degrowth conference, about the ideas of degrowth and the general assemblies that worked on moving the developing the concept further.

// Links and News Items

Grist.org article on Degrowth
Transcript of interview with Gail Tverberg by Nathan
Paul Krugman on climate change and degrowth

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 31m

What is Degrowth? for Grist.org edited by Sam Bliss

[End]

Naomi Klein @ the Degrowth 2014 Opening Session

// Music (in order of appearance)

Cloud Castle Lake - Sync
Pablo Paolo Kilian
Susie Suh x Robot Koch - Here With (Bearson Remix) via IndieShuffle
Carole King - I Feel The Earth Move (Senior Citizens Remix)

// Production Credits and Notes

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Thomas Victor for the photograph used as the cover image on this episode

Sam Bliss
for the edited break made from our videos at the 2014 Degrowth Conference

Episode #82 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

Gordon in British Columbia
Jay in Maryland
Dana from the noosphere
Carla in Quebec
David in Michigan

(more…)

[ Episode #73B // Regarding Revolutions ]

Extraenvironmentalist #73 is a two part episode. This is the post for SIDE B on Egypt's revolution and education with David Blacker. The link for SIDE A featuring our interview on a contractionary revolution with Frank Rotering is here.

The mainstream environmental movement has been unable to stop the ongoing ecological crisis. Are environmentalists willing to acknowledge the deep contradictions between the logic of capitalism and environmental health? Will revolutions like those in Egypt lead to a true alternative or merely perpetuate the failed dynamics of the past?

In Extraenvironmentalist #73 we talk about the prospect for a series of revolutions that establish a post-capitalist world with Frank Rotering. We discuss Frank's newest book Contractionary Revolution and cover the reformist solutions put forward by an environmental movement unwilling to face practical notions of society's power relationships which block effective attempts at a sustainable civilization. Then, we hear from David Blacker on his recent experience in post-revolutionary Egypt and the ideas in his new book The Falling Rate of Learning.

// Books

Contractionary Revolution by Frank Rotering
The Falling Rate of Learning by David Blacker

// Links and News Items

#1 - Do What You Love - Bad For Work? via our listener Jason on the XE Facebook page

#2 - Why the Rich Are Freaking Out

#3 - Financial World Deaths

Link to event video for Richard Heinberg event on February 25th

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Part A Break] - 44m

Paxman Interviews Brand on Revolution
Max Keiser on Revolution
American Revolution Has Begun

[Part B Break] - 34m

Clinton on Education
Bush on Education
Obama on Education
Clips from Waiting for Superman

[End]
Terence McKenna on Revolution

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Tracy Chapman - Talkin Bout a Revolution (Kiddcat Edit)
Cut Copy - Blink and You'll Miss the Revolution (remakereverb electro remix)
Beatles - Revolution (Cover)
Bangles - Walk Like an Egyptian (Seeley Sketch Remix)
Lovelife - Dying to Start Again via Lower Frequencies
Bombay Bicycle Club - Home By Now via Consequence of Sound
Tobtok - Savannah via Tracasseur

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Episode #73 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

Clive in Georgia
Jeff in Colorado
Matt in British Columbia

// Send us a BTC tip for #73

Even .0001 BTC goes a long way!

Donate Bitcoins

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[ Episode #73A // Regarding Revolutions ]

Extraenvironmentalist #73 is a two part episode. This is the post for SIDE A - featuring our interview on a contractionary revolution with Frank Rotering. The link for SIDE B on Egypt's revolution and education with David Blacker is here.

The mainstream environmental movement has been unable to stop the ongoing ecological crisis. Are environmentalists willing to acknowledge the deep contradictions between the logic of capitalism and environmental health? Will revolutions like those in Egypt lead to a true alternative or merely perpetuate the failed dynamics of the past?

In Extraenvironmentalist #73 we talk about the prospect for a series of revolutions that establish a post-capitalist world with Frank Rotering. We discuss Frank's newest book Contractionary Revolution and cover the reformist solutions put forward by an environmental movement unwilling to face practical notions of society's power relationships which block effective attempts at a sustainable civilization. Then, we hear from David Blacker on his recent experience in post-revolutionary Egypt and the ideas in his new book The Falling Rate of Learning.

// Books

Contractionary Revolution by Frank Rotering
The Falling Rate of Learning by David Blacker

// Links and News Items

#1 - Do What You Love - Bad For Work? via our listener Jason on the XE Facebook page

#2 - Why the Rich Are Freaking Out

#3 - Financial World Deaths

Link to event video for Richard Heinberg event on February 25th

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Part A Break] - 44m

Paxman Interviews Brand on Revolution
Max Keiser on Revolution
American Revolution Has Begun

[Part B Break] - 34m

Clinton on Education
Bush on Education
Obama on Education
Clips from Waiting for Superman

[End]
Terence McKenna on Revolution

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Tracy Chapman - Talkin Bout a Revolution (Kiddcat Edit)
Cut Copy - Blink and You'll Miss the Revolution (remakereverb electro remix)
Beatles - Revolution (Cover)
Bangles - Walk Like an Egyptian (Seeley Sketch Remix)
Lovelife - Dying to Start Again via Lower Frequencies
Bombay Bicycle Club - Home By Now via Consequence of Sound
Tobtok - Savannah via Tracasseur

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Episode #73 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

Clive in Georgia
Jeff in Colorado
Matt in British Columbia

// Send us a BTC tip for #73

Even .0001 BTC goes a long way!

Donate Bitcoins

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[ Episode #72 // Green Wizardry ]

The members of the middle class in the United States are finding increasing difficulty achieving and maintaining their expectations for jobs, housing and other basic aspects of life. With the limits to growth putting basic lifestyle assumptions under increasing assault, can people use intermediate technologies to reduce their ecological and financial footprint? If we start imagining new ways of procuring energy, food and shelter can we also reconfigure our culture in the process?

In Extraenvironmentalist #72 we discuss appropriate technology with John Michael Greer as he describes the ideas in his new book Green Wizardry: Conservation, Solar Power, Organic Gardening, and Other Hands-On Skills From the Appropriate Tech Toolkit. JMG describes how a downwardly mobile middle class can begin mastering the skills necessary to change their lives and their culture. Then, we talk to Jessica Kellner of Mother Earth Living about her book Housing Reclaimed: Sustainable Homes for Next to Nothing and the people across the United States who are building their homes out of salvaged materials for hardly any money.

Note: In the RSS feed version of this episode we have a 15 minute version of our interview with Jessica Kellner, on our Soundcloud page you'll find the full 36 minute interview.

// Books

The Integral Urban House
Green Wizardry by John Michael Greer
Housing Reclaimed by Jessica Kellner

// Links and News Items

#1 - http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.ca/2014/01/seven-sustainable-technologies.html via our listener Robin

#2 - http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/10/29/241664654/community-supported-canning-gets-locavores-through-winter?ft=1&f=1001

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[First Break] - 34m

Jacob Brownowski - The Ascent of Man
Thomas Friedman - Why Green is the new Red, White and Blue
Obama - The True Engine of Economic Growth
Ray Kurzweil - The Coming Singularity
Carlin: When the Electric Grid Goes Down
James Burke - Connections - The Trigger Effect
EF Shumacher on Appropriate Technology

[End]
Small Is Beautiful: Impressions of Fritz Schumacher

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Afrobeta - Love is Magic
Emilijo A.C. - That's All I Do
Stefan Biniak - The Read All About It Bootleg via Soundcloud
Rhianna - Stay (Call Me Señor Cover) via IndieShuffle
Androme - Gunjule

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Episode #72 was supported by donations from the following generous listeners:

Vincenzo in PA
Patrick in OR
Dean in CO
Kevin in CT
Paul in CA

// Send us a BTC tip for #72

Even .0001 BTC goes a long way!

Donate Bitcoins

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[ Episode #71 // Supply Shock ]

When the profession of economics began to think that land and capital were equivalent and interchangeable, the roots of real estate speculation and environmental crisis were established. Because the origins of neoclassical economics became deeply influenced by the interests of early 20th century land barons, a new economic paradigm will have to challenge the assumptions of powerful landowners.  Will a world in search of economic growth embrace a steady state that properly analyzes the role of land in economic life? Can the rampant real estate speculation across the planet be tamed with an overhaul of our tax system?

In Extraenvironmentalist #71 we discuss implications of the steady-state economy with Brian Czech along with his new book Supply Shock: Economic Growth at the Crossroads and the Steady State Solution. Brian explains how the economics profession was corrupted in the early 20th century by the interests of land barons and how this distorts analysis of ecological issues. Then, Karl Fitzgerald of the Renegade Economists joins us to talk about Henry George, land bubbles and real estate speculation. We ask Karl about rental backed securities and the outrageous housing prices of Australia. At the end of the show, we recap 2013 with a short clip collage and thank our listeners for an incredible year.

// Books

Supply Shock: Economic Growth at the Crossroads and the Steady State Solution by Brian Czech
The Corruption of Economics by Mason Gaffney and Fred Harrison

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[First Break] - 25m

Jeffrey Sachs on Economic Growth
Has the US Economy Entered a Permanent Slump?
Krugman's Idea to Spur Economic Growth
Bernanke: Hoping Economic Growth Will Continue
Obama Weekly Address: Working With Both Parties to Keep the Economy Moving Forward
Founder of Adbusters on CNN

[Second Break] - 1h40m

Real Estate 4 Ransom
Jimmy Macmillan on The Extraenvironmentalist

[End]

Charles Eisenstein - A Pattern to the Maze

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Kaligraph E - Milkyears
Bart & Baker Feat Philou - Baby Dont You Cry (Skeewiff Remix)
Ayer - Circle Down (Keljet Remix) via Indieshuffle
Lincoln Jesser - Tops via The Burning Ear
Snowmine - Columbus via Lower Frequencies

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

This show was supported by donations from our generous listeners:

Anders in Sweden
Wayne in Washington
Christian in Germany
Bill in NY
Bruce
Dana

// Send us a BTC tip for #71

Even .0001 BTC goes a long way!

Donate Bitcoins

(more…)

[ Episode #65 // Restoring Function ]

A fundamental flaw in our economy drives the consumption of our ecosystems until they enter terminal dysfunction. This logical error has eroded numerous civilizations and landscapes. Can our species cooperate to restore large-scale degraded ecosystems across the planet before terminal collapse?

In Extraenvironmentalist #65 we speak with John D. Liu about his experience documenting the restoration of China's Loess Plateau from desert into functional ecosystem.  John describes how the project could be applied to desertifying land across the planet to sequester carbon while providing meaningful livelihoods for billions. Then, we share our thoughts on three years of Extraenvironmentalist podcasts before taking on RadioLab.

// News and Other Items Discussed

Green Gold on John D Liu.
Images of the Loess Plateau

Declaration of Interdependence

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 35m

Green Gold with John D Liu

[End]

Louis CK on Environmentalists

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Active Child - She Cut Me via Earmilk
The M Machine - A King Alone (Robotaki Remix) via Daily Beat
The Royal Concept – On Our Way (Oliver Nelson Remix) via Starting to Feel It
MS MR - Think of You (RAC Remix) via Pigeons and Planes

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel
Production Assistance via Simon JM

RadioJab - Voice Acting: Olga K, KMO, Glen G. and Jane R

This show was supported by donations from our generous listeners:

Linda in Canada
Simon in Norway
David in Boulder, Colorado
Robin in Vancouver, British Columbia
Josh in Raleigh, North Carolina
Bill and Cindy on Gabriola Island, British Columbia
Brandon in the Noosphere

(more…)

[ Episode #64 // Straw Into Gold ]

By thinking of the world as a machine our species has created an economic and political system that is dangling over an abyss. Many are optimistic for business as usual with an ideological belief in the power of positive thinking. Can we develop a practical spiritual philosophy that sorts through all the garbage? Have our systems and institutions become so dependent on the idea of a machine world that we need to collapse to develop an alternative economic system?

In Extraenvironmentalist #64 we speak with Morris Berman about his new book Spinning Straw Into Gold: Straight Talk for Troubled Times which takes on the idea that reality is created by thought. We ask Morris about the validity of claims made by the scientific worldview. Berman announces the launch of the new MoveOverGeorge.com campaign to bring the US dollar into 21st century reality. Then we hear from biologist Rupert Sheldrake on his new book The Science Delusion from a recent talk in Vancouver, BC about the fundamental beliefs of scientific materialism.

// Books Discussed

Morris Berman // Spinning Straw Into Gold: Straight Talk for Trouble Times
Morris Berman // The Reenchantment of the World
Rupert Sheldrake // The Science Delusion (Marketed as Science Set Free in the US)
Ursula le Guin // The Telling
Barbara Ehrenreich // Bright Sided: How Positive Thinking is Undermining America
Joel Magnuson // The Approaching Great Transformation: Toward a Livable Post Carbon Economy

// News and Other Items Discussed

MoveOverGeorge.com

Full talk by Rupert Sheldrake on The Science Delusion in Vancouver, BC

Greece Disconnects 30,000 electricity customers per month
Detroit clones popping up all around China
Rapid Urbanization has created 12 new Chinese Ghost Cities
Falling TVs send a child to the ER every 30 minutes in the United States

Our video interview with Jimmy McMillan of the Rent is Too Damn High Party in NYC
Extraenvironmentalist livestream coverage of the New Economics Institute reRoute Convergence

Interview with KMO on the C-Realm Podcast episode #372
Link to the NYT story on our coming food crisis via Robin

Link to Bill Rees talking about the Endarkenment
Link to Morris Berman's talk about Japan's economic stagnation

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 35m

European Car Sales Fall to 17 year low
Newly unemployed struggle to remain optimistic
Obama: reasons to be optimistic about America
Pessimism grows among unemployed
On being optimistic on the economy

[End]

Terence McKenna speaking about Science's one free miracle

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Sister Rosetta Sharpe - Jericho (C2C Remix)via Soundcloud
Sarah Vaughn - Please Mr. Brown (Pontus Winnberg Remix)
Keep Shelly in Athens - Recollection via Turntable Kitchen
Kratos Himself - Lucid via Bandcamp
London Grammar - Hey Now (Hanami Bootleg) via Soundcloud
Eros and the Eschaton - The Future is Ours to See via Soundcloud

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

This show was supported by donations from our generous listeners:

Tomas in Findland
Brendan in Canada

(more…)

[ Episode #62 // Land Grabs ]

A financial sector built on a foundation of continuous material expansion is seeking returns in a slowing global economy. Will investments in global farmland be able to provide the returns expected by pension funds, endowments and future financial claims? Why are investors suddenly emphasizing the same data and charts that environmentalists have been pointing towards for decades?

In Extraenvironmentalist #62 we discuss the global race for farmland with Fred Pearce as detailed in his recent book: The Land Grabbers. We hear about his journey around the world to uncover the secret deals being signed by governments at the expense of their people. Then we speak with Gregor Macdonald about the global energy trends driving this search for innovative returns. Gregor describes why the age of nuclear power is ending as complexity overwhelms large systems and how the global economy has changed dramatically since conventional oil reached its plateau.

// Books

Fred Pearce // The Land Grabbers
Gregor Macdonald // Solar's Rise, Nuclear's Demise - June Issue of Terrajoule

// News and Other Items Discussed

One year away from global riots (from 9 months ago)
6.2% Food Inflation in Saudi Arabia
With electricity and water in short supply, Egyptians grow tense

XE Video with Dennis McKenna
XE Video with Nate Hagens

New Economics Institute ReRoute Summit - July 19th-21st

Beatboxin' Rick Wolff

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 23m

Michael Hudson from an upcoming episode of the Extraenvironmentalist
Glen Gary & Ross - A Film About Land Grabs
Jack Alpert from Extraenvironmentalist #11
Brazil - Protests of Discontent

[End]

A clip from our recent video with Nate Hagens

// Music (in Order of Appearance)

Bugseed - Thinking of You via Soundcloud
Shine 2009 - Eurozone (CFCF Remix) via Gorilla vs. Bear
Cosmo Sheldrake - Rich ft. Ana Roo via Pigeons and Planes
Daft Punk - Get Lucky (Beats Antique Cover)
Blackstreet - No Diggity (Bondax Remix) via The Music Ninja

// Production Credits

Our correspondent and editor Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

Episode #62 was supported by donations from one of our generous listeners: Beccy in Australia

(more…)

[ Episode #53 // Without Growth ]

The global economy is searching for growth and choosing austerity when it can't be found. Is it possible to manage an economy, obtain full employment, and provide social equity without economic growth? Can we develop a dialogue about our economy that recognizes the human enterprise as a subset of biophysical processes?

In Extraenvironmentalist #53 we speak with Peter Victor about his book Managing Without Growth: Slower by Design, Not Disaster which describes why our obsession with GDP isn't necessary. Peter describes the field of Ecological Economics and how it differs from other disciplines of economic thought. We ask if there are some first steps we could take to start building a society that doesn't need GDP expansion. Then, we speak with Dave Gardner [85m] about how he's built a dialogue on the diminishing returns of economic growth with his film Growthbusters. Dave tells us about his run for city council in Colorado Springs, CO.

// Music (in order of appearance)

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (Louis La Roche Remix) via Soundcloud
Talking Heads - This Must Be The Place (Psychemagic Remix) via Youtube
Broke for Free - The Gold Lining via The Music Ninja
Isley Brothers - Prize Posession (Follow Me Remix) via Et Musique Pour Tous
Chaundon - El Mariachi (Instrumental) via Mixcloud

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)

[Break] - 35m

Gar Alperovitz - Green Party Keynote via Democracy Now

[Second Break] - 107m

Glenn Beck, yes, we actually used a clip from Glenn Beck, I know, I'm shocked too.

[End]

Uruguay's President

// Production Credits

Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

(more…)

[ Episode #46 // Recovering Environmentalists ]

Success for the environmental movement has meant many of its members adopted mainstream values in attempts to sustain the unsustainable. Is sustainability a farce when associated with a way of life that is out of touch with reality? Global droughts, weather catastrophes and heatwaves are demonstrating the rapidly increasing impact of atmospheric greenhouse gases. With decades of inaction on climate change, are we all climate denialists? Could there be an environmental movement that works to exit the collapsing global system?

In Extraenvironmentalist #46 we speak first with Paul Kingsnorth on why he's withdrawn from the mainstream environmental movement and its discussions of sustainability. Paul tells us about developing the Dark Mountain Project to help us tell creative stories that embody the new narrative evolving from the end of industrial society. Then, Michael M'Gonigle [55m] joins us to talk about the importance of creating an exit-environmentalism that allows us to leave a global system which is falling apart. Michael describes why liberal environmentalism is no longer useful in creating laws to protect our environment in the extended version of an interview that originally aired on Radio Ecoshock. Finally, John Michael Greer [1h 56m] takes root in a new recurring and irregular segment to talk about denial and his take on the environmental movement. All that and more as our latest episode proves there aren't limits to growth for XE podcast episode runtimes.


// Music (in order of appearance)
GRiZ - The Future is Now via Fist in the Air
Adele - Rolling in the Deep (Blackbird Blackbird Rework) via Sound Is Style
Jeremy Fisher - Built to Last via Ride the Tempo
Elle Goulding - Hanging On (Syvable & PRFFTT Bootleg) via Earmilk
Marvin Gaye - Real Thing (Pillow Talk Rework) via Ecosalon
Stevie Wonder - Superstition (Monolith Remix) via The Music Ninja

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[1st Break] - 28'27"
Shaking Spain - Expect Violence
Marc Faber - Markets to Crash in 12 Months
Euro-Doomsday Scenario
How close are we to a new great depression

[2nd Break] - 83'27"
Record Drought Has Cascading Consequences
Heat Wave
Americans Scramble to Safety
George Will: "It's Just Summer, Get Over It"

[End]
Alan Watts - Man in Nature

// Production Credits
Production Assistance by Kevin via Sustainable Guidance Youtube Channel

(more…)

[ Episode #37 // Techno-Fix ]

Are you optimistic about technology? Let's talk about why. Could the majority of our proposed technological solutions be doing little more than kicking the can down the road towards ecological collapse? Politicians and economists speak of the ability for technological innovation to boost and grow economies, yet where does their techno optimism come from? Do technologies hold intrinsic values or are they neutral tools that are misused by a species with the wrong intentions?

In Extraenvironmentalist #37 we discuss technological optimism with Dr. Michael Huesemann. Michael explains his fifteen year study into environmental science and philosophies of technology as outlined in his recent book Techno-Fix, co-written with his wife Joyce Huesemann. Is there an inherent reason that the United States is the most technologically optimistic culture in the world? We ask if he has advice for students who are thinking about careers in advanced science and about the value systems embedded in technological systems.

Be sure to visit the Techno-Fix website and to pick up a copy of Techno-Fix if you want to learn more about the limitations of technology in addressing our global problems.


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Dusty Springfield - Spooky via IndieShuffle
St. Lucia - We Got It Wrong via Consequence of Sound
CHLLNGR - Change  via Soundcloud
Santigold - Disparate Youth via Skeetbeatz
Summer Camp - Losing My Mind via All Things Go Music

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
[First Break]
Jason Silva - Techno-Optimism
Bush on Google
Ray Kurzweil Explains the Coming Singularity
Michio Kaku - Are We Ready for the Coming Age of Abundance
[Second Break]
MPR: America's Crumbling Infrastructure
Activists Publicly Pray For Lower Gas Prices
[End]
Alan Watts - A Conversation With Myself

(more…)

[ Episode #35 // Ecology + Alcohol ]

You can easily enjoy a beer without knowing about the thousands of years alcohol has modified the senses of our species. We'll go out to a bar to participate in a ritual to help us deal with the tasks of a work day, yet what if a tree does the same? Should alcohol be recognized for its ability change our consciousness in a sacred way? Are other species using the same substances we do in modifying their ability to perceive signals?

In Extraenvironmentalist #35 we speak with Stephen Harrod Buhner about his thoughts on the role of alcohol on humans and nature based around his book, Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers. We ask Stephen about the ecological role of humanity in the environment. Are Homo Sapiens like bees that serve a role much bigger than we'll ever understand? Our conversation covers the ways ancient people experienced the world and alternative approaches to brewing beer. Once your hear Stephen explain the chemistry of plants, you'll never think about that tree outside your window in the same way again.


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Labyrinth Ear - Walk on the Moon (Arthur Russel Rework) via The Fader
Mansions on the Moon - Athens via Iceland Music Maffia
Kishi Bashi - Bright Whites viaConsequence of Sound
Polica - Lay Your Cards Out via Life+Times
Parov Stelar - Catgroove via IndieShuffle

// Extended Clips (in order of appearance)
Alan Watts - Roots of the Ecological Crisis
Bill Rees - The Dangerous Disconnection Between Economics and Ecology
The History of Alcohol
Terence McKenna: On Alcohol, Caffeine, Culture and Extraenvironmentalism

(more…)

[ Episode #25 // Saving Money ]

Is it more practical to learn permaculture than to earn a business degree? As financial markets sell off around the globe and world leaders scramble to prevent national defaults from collapsing the global economy, today's youth are certain to live through a massive shift in the monetary paradigm. An education system that prepared us to receive jobs in a consumer economy injured our ability to truly learn and now we face the insult of entering a bleak job market. Is money real or is it based on societal myths? Can a monetary system built on collaboration rather than competition create a society that amplifies the positive aspects of human nature? As Mike Ruppert says: until we change the way money works, we change nothing.

In Extraenvironmentalist #25 we speak with Charles Eisenstein about his new book Sacred Economics which explains how to save the concept of money from being subject to our outdated understanding of human nature and simplistic mechanistic models of the physical world around us. While the social unrest sweeping from Cairo to Athens to Barcelona to New York is disrupting monetary dynamics can it also create an applicable positive vision? Charles explains how a negative interest currency and an economic model that integrates equity and ecology can end what we perceive to be the human nature emphasized by our current currency. Can we accept that the failure of money isn't the end of the world but that it is an opportunity to reorganize?


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Zeds Dead - Coffee Break via The Music Ninja
MGMT - All We Ever Wanted (Bauhaus Cover) via Stereogum
Michita - November via Earmilk
HEALTH - Goth Star (Pictureplane Cover) via Gorilla vs. Bear
Beatles - Eleanor Rigby (Butch Clancy Remix) via Dubtunes

// Extended Clips
Fiat Money via Renegade Economist
Trader Interview on BBC
Occupy Boston

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[ Episode #22 // Picking Battles ]

Formerly abundant raw materials which enabled the creation of capitalist economies are falling short of allowing the system to grow any further. With this historic moment, the opportunity to re-imagine the nature of work and the structure of society arises. Maintaining a balance between the steps necessary for self preservation in a depleting culture while decoupling from the system and pursuing more meaningful work is a key challenge to thriving in the near future. If the status quo is being blatantly exposed as a fiction, what role can we play in writing the new society? Out of the 168 hours in any give week, what can be done outside of the 40 given to our employers to create the new world we envision?

In Extraenvironmentalist #22 we speak with writer, thinker and podcaster Doug Lain about his outlook on life in the time of Late Capitalism which is the primary topic of his recent non-fiction book Pick Your Battle.  We discuss the need to manage expectations around work at what feels like the end of history and how to avoid cynicism about social change while being surround by so many catastrophes. As we produce our lives, how much of living is a fiction? What role do dystopian and utopian writers have in forming a vision of the world ahead? Can we use creative acts to derail the capitalist system before it derails us while creating abundant cities for all?


 

// Music (in order of appearance)
Juj - My Room via SoundCloud
The Drums - Money (Craft Spells Remix) via Neighborhood Brains
Kermit the Frog - It's Not Easy Being Green (Andrew Bird Cover) via You Ain't No Picasso
Moloko - Sing It Back (Can 7 1390's Remix) via IndieShuffle
Frenic - New World via The Chuckness
Minnesota - Breathe via The Breakbeat Depot

// Extended Clips
Unwelcome Guests #565 - The World Crisis and the Wholeness of Life
The Delusion of Green Capitalism
All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace
Nature Does Not Exist

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