The Earthshot Podcast Earthshot Labs

Lynn Murphy & Alnoor Ladha - Post-Capitalist Philanthropy

“Doing the decolonizing, deprogramming, deconditioning, unlearning work, as well as thinking non-laterally and moving the dominant ontology and dominant cosmology from this rationalist-separatist-materialist worldview to one that's more relational, more quantum, more queer, more based on interbeing, is going to open up vistas of possibility that we can't even imagine from our current vantage point.” -Alnoor Ladha“We’re looking at how do we liberate capital and alchemize wealth in service of life,if you understand the structure how capital markets function they are not in service to life, and they aren’t often looked at through a framework of liberation “-Lynne Murphy

In this episode, host Armando Davila interviews Lynn Murphy and Alnoor Ladha of Transition Resource Circle about our world’s necessary shift beyond late-stage capitalism. This vibrant and out-of-the-box conversation starts with exploring our current economy and why leaving the house of capitalist modernity over the next ten to twenty years is crucial. Then the fun really begins when Lynn and Alnoor Ladha paint a picture of how this shift might look and the tools they are using to catalyze this transition. This radical conversation will open your mind to new ideas and possibilities for shifting beyond capitalism and creating a sustainable future.

IN THIS EPISODE:


An introduction to Post-Capitalist Philanthropy


Lynn & Alnoor Ladha’s backgrounds and how they came to this work


The Transition Resource Circle


Why our current growth-based economy isn’t sustainable for the Earth


The impending collapse of late-stage capitalism


How to leave the house of capitalist modernity


The importance of creating more local resilience & self-reliance in communities


How doing inner work can open up unimaginable possibilities


Releasing resistance to letting go of certainty and comfort


Why the approach to using capital to build a post-capitalist infrastructure is so important


The 5 element mandala Lynn & Alnoor Ladha use as a tool for exploring transition pathways


The importance of gifting and redistributing wealth for decolonization and liberation


How to work with Lynn and Alnoor Ladha and their Transition Resource Circle



RELEVANT LINKS:

Transition Resource Circle: www.transitionresourcecircle.org,

Post Capitalist Philanthropy Book: https://www.postcapitalistphilanthropy.org/

Earthshot Labs: www.earthshot.eco

Intro & Outro Music by Little Whale: https://littlewhale.bandcamp.com

“Restoration is not just about planting trees or about making an area look beautiful again. It's about recreating a social ecological system that is more resilient and is more aligned with natural processes.” -Robin Chazdon

This episode features legendary ecologist Robin Chazdon with hosts Armando Davila, Patrick Leung, & Pedro Ribeiro Piffer for an adventure through the world of assisted natural regeneration. Robin discusses active versus passive regeneration, how to increase the capacity of local communities to lead restoration, and the importance of honoring traditional knowledge. Robin then paints a vision of a fair trade carbon market, discusses biodiversity monitoring, and explores the challenges of involving corporations in restoration projects. This rich conversation ends on an inspirational note as Robin skillfully describes how we are all interconnected with each other and the natural world.

IN THIS EPISODE:


How Robin started her journey as an ecologist and how her work has evolved over her career


Her current projects including the UN’s Best Practices Task Force


An overview of assisted natural regeneration


Active regeneration vs. passive regeneration


How to support farmers in regenerating their land


Robin’s view on monoculture plantations


How to decide which restoration approach to use


The important social considerations of restoration projects


How to increase the capacity of local communities to lead restoration


The importance of honoring local and traditional knowledge


Robin’s vision of a fair trade carbon market


Biodiversity monitoring as a way to measure the effects of restoration projects


The dangers of viewing nature as a corporate asset


The importance of channeling funds through ground-based mechanisms


What it will take for corporations to change their practices towards greater sustainability


The importance of recognizing that we are all in this together


How our humanity is dependent on our relationship with the natural world


The importance of multi-disciplinary collaboration & infiltrating the corporate sector



RELEVANT LINKS:

Earthshot Labs: www.earthshot.eco

Robin’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-chazdon-96218a59/ 

Intro & Outro Music by Little Whale: https://littlewhale.bandcamp.com

Grant Wilson and Michelle Bender of Earth Law Center - Legal Rights of Nature



“How do you give nature a voice within carbon markets?” -Grant Wilson

Grant Wilson, Executive Director of Earth Law Center, & Michelle Bender, Ocean Campaigns Director of Earth Law Center, join hosts Armando Davila & Troy Carter for a discussion about the Rights of Nature Movement. After an overview of how this movement advocates for nature to have rights just as humans do, Grant and Michelle discuss traction that the movement is gaining in Ecuador and New Zealand and explore how this movement can be integrated with the carbon market’s financial approach to protect nature to the fullest extent possible. This deep conversation also includes a heart-centered discussion about how humanity, society, economics, and law are inseparable from nature and also explores the unique challenges of protecting the rights of our oceans. You’ll also learn more about the Earth Law Center and how you can get involved.

IN THIS EPISODE:


An overview of the rights of nature movement and Earth law


Rights of nature laws that are being enacted internationally


The articles of Ecuador’s rights of nature


An example of a successful lawsuit in the name of rights of nature


A journey into Ecuador’s Los Cedros cloud forest and how Earth law saved it from mining, setting a precedent for respecting the rights of nature


New Zealand’s journey of granting legal rights to its rivers


What rights of nature means in relation to indigenous worldviews


How the rights of nature movement can be integrated with the carbon market’s financial approach to protecting nature


Unique corporate structures where nature can be a shareholder or sit on a board of directors


How humanity, society, economics, and law are inseparable from nature


The dangers of viewing Earth as a machine and focusing on technological solutions for the climate crisis


How listeners can get involved in the rights of nature movement


Approaching decisions that may support human/societal development but may be harmful to nature (ie mining precious metals for technology)


How the rights of nature apply to oceans


How legal victories can change public opinion and vice versa


About the Earth Law Center



RELEVANT LINKS:

Earthshot Labs: www.earthshot.eco

Earth Law Center: https://www.earthlawcenter.org/ 

Intro & Outro Music by Little Whale: https://littlewhale.bandcamp.com

“We need all hands on deck in all areas, all sectors, and all approaches. So that means we need governments setting aggressive climate policy and regulation to control as far and fast as possible top-down, we need corporates and industry to do their part and do everything they can to decarbonize and squeeze out emissions…and then we also need market mechanisms like what Verra pioneers and helps manage that bring integrity and the ability for finance to flow to other activities that otherwise wouldn't be supported and are critical for us addressing the climate challenge.” -Toby Janson-Smith

David Antonioli, CEO at Verra, & Toby Jason-Smith, Chief Program Development & Innovation Officer at Verra, join hosts Armando Davila & Oliver Miltenberger for a rich discussion about carbon markets and the importance of standards and transparency. David and Toby begin by introducing us to Verra, a nonprofit organization setting the world’s leading standards for climate action and sustainable development, and continue on to discuss the past, present, and future of the carbon market and its role in addressing the climate crisis. They masterfully address questions, critiques, and challenges alive in the carbon market sector today and discuss what is needed for the carbon market to successfully play its part in creating a sustainable future for all.

IN THIS EPISODE:


An overview of nonprofit organization Verra as well as David’s and Toby’s roles there
The history of Verra and its evolution to what it is today
A history of the carbon market and how and why standards have been developed
The systems and processes needed to continue to scale the carbon market successfully
Why offsetting carbon is not enough and what else must be done
How the volunteer carbon market is positioned to put pressure on corporates to make internal carbon reductions
Why direct action within our economy to reduce emissions is needed first and foremost to address the climate crisis
How the carbon market is designed to offset residual emissions that cannot be reduced
Carbon markets as a way to jumpstart finance for new climate technologies and activities
How some countries are implementing carbon taxes to support the carbon market
Why clarity is needed around what carbon credit claims corporates can make and what these claims mean
How to address the current confusion in the carbon market today
The Integrity Council for Voluntary Carbon Markets and other initiatives meant to ensure that carbon credit issuers are meeting standards
Additionality explained
Why renewable energy projects are no longer creditable under Verra’s standards
Carbon removals vs avoidance reductions
Baselines explained
Creating a framework that values nature when projects don’t qualify for carbon credits
Climate community and biodiversity standards that are being used in addition to the core carbon standards
The challenges of estimating the actual success of project before it’s executed
How to ensure indigenous communities are being supported by local projects
The importance of learning and not letting perfect be the enemy of the good that’s happening

RELEVANT LINKS:

Earthshot Labs: www.earthshot.eco

Verra: https://verra.org

Kasigau Project: https://www.innovationforum.co.uk/articles/the-kasigau-corridor-redd-project

Intro & Outro Music by Little Whale: https://littlewhale.bandcamp.com

1. Richard Heinberg - Consuming Less Energy: Our Critical Transition
“Nature will win in the end and balance will be reestablished. The question is how is it going to happen and if we're working in the direction of rebalancing things and doing it from the standpoint of minimizing the casualties and maximizing the opportunities of the survivors.” -Richard Heinberg

Richard Heinberg, author and Senior Fellow at Post Carbon Institute, joins hosts Patrick Leung and Armando Davila for a deep conversation on the importance of reducing energy consumption for humanity’s transition to a sustainable existence on Earth. Richard sheds light on the harm that energy consumption causes, the history behind it, and the factors making it difficult to reduce. The discussion then moves to practical ways to reduce energy consumption, countries that are doing so on a large scale, how nature is supporting us in this transition, and how we can work together with nature to create a beautiful and sustainable future.

IN THIS EPISODE:


The impact of affluence on energy consumption
How using energy almost always causes environmental harm
The serious challenges with renewables
The only way the energy transition is likely to work
Why green growth is not enough without downsizing industrial society
Practical ways to live a lower consumption lifestyle
The hidden energy usage behind the green industry
How the field of economics is energy blind
The historical roots of consumerism
The importance of social innovation
How moving away from consumption is an act of resistance
Why continuous economic growth is unsustainable
The importance of periods of economic retraction
The countries that are leading the way in methods for reducing consumption
How consuming less doesn’t need to equate with a less happy life
The importance of conserving wild ecosystems for future generations
Nature’s tendency to always reestablish the balance of power
Why we need more optimistic post-apocalyptic fiction
The power of beauty and nature’s deliberate production of it

RELEVANT LINKS:

Earthshot Labs: www.earthshot.eco

Richard’s Website: https://richardheinberg.com

Post Carbon Institute: https://www.postcarbon.org/

Intro & Outro Music by Little Whale: https://littlewhale.bandcamp.com

In this season 1 wrap-up episode, hosts Patrick, Troy, and Armando reflect on the first season of the Earthshot Podcast, including themes and insights that emerged, favorite moments with guests, and the evolution of the podcast, of Earthshot Labs, and of the state of the climate crisis. Stay tuned for Season 2, coming in 2023!

RELEVANT LINKS:

Earthshot Labs: www.earthshot.eco

Troy Carter’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/troyearthshot

Patrick Leung’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/puiwah

Armando Davila’s Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/armando-davila-49681716

Intro & Outro Music by Little Whale: littlewhale.bandcamp.com