The Gaia Foundation

Changing the Ethics of Our Governance Systems From the Ground Up - Experiences from Africa, Asia and the Americas

Fri, 2 Oct 2009 19:00:11 +0100

This is a celebration of ten years since cultural historian Thomas Berry first insisted that changing our governance system is a priority. Colleagues from Africa, Asia and the Americas explain why they are engaged with local and indigenous communities in asserting different ethics of governance, which abide by the laws of our planet Earth.

Causes and Solutions for Climate Change: The Point of Return, with Satish Kumar

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 19:30:31 +0000

Satish explores the simple lifestyle changes that are needed in order to bring us back from the brink of climate and social collapse. Satish argues that we face a critical Point of Return, and that things needn’t be so pessimistic if we are able to shift our lifestyles from one of greed to one of grace.

A Global Green New Deal Needs a Green New Protectionism, with Colin Hines

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:30:35 +0100

Colin presents his case for 'Localization: A Global Manifesto', which is the title of his recent book and an issue he has worked on for many years. Colin provides a compelling argument for the protection, rebuilding and rediversification of national economies worldwide. The idea of exports as the main motor of the economy must be rejected. In its place, local economies must be supported in diversi

Hell and High Water: Climate Change as a Spiritual Challenge, with Alastair McIntosh

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:00:57 +0000

Alastair McIntosh introduces the main themes of his most recent book, "Hell and High Water: Climate Change, Hope and the Human Condition". He explores why he thinks climate change is as much about our inner lives as outer realities. He discusses where this leaves us as campaigners for change.

Part One: Community Resilience - Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change, with Jacqueline McGlade

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:30:58 +0100

Prof. Jacqueline McGlade, Head of the European Environment Agency, shares her vision for how communities' in Europe can build ecological resilience to the impacts of climate change. Jacqueline has been working with a team to develop an interactive Global Citizens Environmental Observatory, which will enable citizens to feed their environmental observations into policies for COP15.

Part Two: Community Resilience - Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change, with Dr. Vandana Shiva

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:29:03 +0100

Dr. Vandana Shiva reflects on the vital, underestimated role of communities and biodiversity in mitigating and adapting to climate change – and the implications for governance at the local, national, regional, and global level.

Part Three: Discussion with the Audience: Patrick Holden and Dr. Vandana Shiva

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:00:46 +0100

In Part Three of the talk and discussion 'Agrofuels, Food Security and Climate', Dr. Vandana Shiva and Patrick Holden respond to questions and comments from the audience.

Part Two: The Case for An Integrated Approach to Climate, Biodiversity and Livelihoods, with Dr. Vandana Shiva

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:00:43 +0100

Dr. Vandana Shiva argues that current solutions to climate change do not go far enough. She analyses how small-scale, community-led and diverse organic food production can play a major role in providing for our global food needs.

Part One: The Case for An Integrated Approach to Climate, Biodiversity and Livelihoods, with Patrick Holden

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:45:15 +0100

Patrick Holden talks about the current scenario in agriculture and how it is simply feeding high consumption and high prices. He explains how we can achieve an alternative vision for a return to more local and ecologically sustainable economies and livelihoods in Britain.

Recognising Earth and Culture As the Basis for All Life, with Professor Wangari Maathai

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 19:00:08 +0100

Wangari gives us an update on developments in Kenya in relation to her priorities of environment and culture. Professor Maathai's experience has shown her that culture is fundamental to a viable development path that respects both human communities and the Earth.

'Zero Carbon Britain': What Would It Be Like? With Peter Harper

Fri, 7 Mar 2008 19:00:12 +0000

The UK government set the challenging target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60% over the next 40 years. Recent findings in climate science suggest it is nowhere near enough. It looks as if a 100% reduction in 20 years might be necessary. But is this remotely possible and how might it be done?

Animate Earth: Science, Intuition and Gaia, with Stephan Harding

Wed, 6 Dec 2006 19:00:15 +0000

Stephan Harding explores how Gaian science can help us to develop a sense of connectedness with the 'more-than-human' world. It is possible to integrate rational scientific analysis with our intuition, sensing and feeling: a vitally important task at this time of an ecological and climatic crisis.

Nature's Due: Healing Our Fragmented Culture, with Brian Goodwin

Thu, 1 Mar 2007 16:54:16 +0000

Brian Goodwin argues that nature is complex and has interrelated networks of relationships. He proposes that we must adopt a new science, a new art, a new design, a new economics, and new patterns of responsibility. We must be willing to give nature its due.

Indigenous Strategies to Protect the Amazon Rainforest, with Martin von Hildebrand

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:38:50 +0100

Today, Indigenous communities in the Colombian Amazon are managing a territory larger than the size of the United Kingdom. Dr. Martin von Hildebrand tells us how this process, which is directed by shamans and driven by indigenous thought, has evolved.

Earth, Religion and the Sacred, with Rupert Sheldrake

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 19:00:09 +0100

What part can religion play in a practical Gaian approach to today’s environmental and social challenges? Rupert Sheldrake explores the initiatives taken by religious groups and others to date.

Food Security Through An Organic Revolution, with Dr. Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 19:00:34 +0100

In 2003 the Ethiopian government stated its interest to help farmers use organic methods of crop production. The initiative, known as the Tigray Project, involves promoting organic composting methods to regenerate soils. Dr. Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher and Sue Edwards (ISD) describe the project’s remarkable results.

Natural Law: An Interview with Andrew Kimbrell

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 19:00:23 +0100

Andrew Kimbrell discusses the inability of current law in the United States and elsewhere to appropriately deal with environmental crises. He argues that several major legal concepts need to be implemented in order for the law to become relevant to climate change.

Wild Law: A Manifesto for Earth Justice, with Cormac Cullinan

Wed, 14 Apr 2004 19:00:18 +0100

We are rapidly destroying the Earth. Many of the treaties, laws and policies concluded in recent years have failed to slow down this process. Cormac Cullinan shows that the survival of the community of life on Earth requires us to alter fundamentally our understanding of the nature and purpose of law and governance.

Nature’s Law: Reinventing Environmental Jurisprudence, with Andrew Kimbrell

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:27:38 +0100

The US legal case, Mass v. EPA, challenged the Bush Administration’s policy of refusing to regulate global warming gases. Calling for a reinvention of environmental law, Attorney Andrew Kimbrell describes how the law suit developed and the legal strategy behind it.

Earth Jurisprudence in the African Context, with Ng’ang’a Thiong’o

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:40:02 +0100

Thiong'o explains how Earth Jurisprudence is expressed within African customary law. He also talks about the practical work his NGO, Porini Association Kenya, is doing with grassroots community organisations to implement it.

African Lore and Climate Resilience, with Colin Campbell

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:57:02 +0100

Africa is considered the “poorest”, most unstable continent. What went wrong and where have Africa’s indigenous traditions gone? Colin takes us on a journey of discovery, reviving the profound ecological wisdom embedded in African indigenous thinking. From this perspective, Colin shows us that there are other ways of understanding our role as humans in the web of life.

Africa’s Indigenous Peoples and Their Special Role in Adapting to Climate Change, with Nigel Crawhall

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:44:59 +0100

Nigel Crawhall explains how Africa's indigenous people are helping to create new spaces for dialogue around the relationship between cultural and biological diversity. He shows that the recognition of Africa’s rich knowledge and cultural heritage is a vital dimension for any strategy dealing with the challenge of increasing climate instability.

The Principles of Earth Jurisprudence, with Ian Mason

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:59:16 +0100

At Schumacher College’s 2008 course on ‘Earth Jurisprudence: Making the Law Work for Nature’, Ian Mason offers a personal reflection on the whole idea of Earth Jurisprudence and its implications at the philosophical and practical levels of law.

Six Degrees: Our Life on a Hotter Planet, with Mark Lynas

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:15:38 +0100

Global warming caused by humans is now acknowledged as one of the most serious threats ever to confront the Earth. By painting an alarming degree-by-degree picture, Mark tells us what is likely to happen over the next few decades as the result of global warming, unless we act now.

What After Cancun: Can We Change the Globalisation Agenda? With Martin Khor

Thu, 7 Oct 2004 15:40:28 +0100

Like Seattle 1999, the September 2003 WTO Ministerial in Cancún, Mexico, broke down in chaos. Martin provides an account of WTO developments after Cancún and the key issues and decisions at the WTO in 2004 and beyond.