Future Council: How Children are Responding to our Planetary Crises
Reality Roundtable #13
It is frequently true that those who will inherit the greatest consequences of our climate crisis – today’s youth – have the least voice in shaping what happens next. But if given a seat at the table, what would these children have to say about creating a more sustainable path forward?
In this Reality Roundtable, I sit down with documentarian Damon Gameau and three young activists featured in his documentary film The Future Council, to discuss their experiences grappling with the complex challenges of transforming a system that is actively harming our planet and what they think should be done to save humanity from itself.
What do kids think about the actions of the most powerful and wealthy individuals and corporations in our global societies? How would they act differently if they had children sitting in their boardrooms? Finally, what would the world look like if we incorporated the hopes and fears of the youngest amongst us into our decision-making for the future?
In case you missed it…
In last week’s Frankly, I highlighted seven views of the future and how broadening our awareness to include others’ starting points might allow for greater discourse and understanding. How we view the future stems from what we care about and our expectations for humanity – from needing to stay focused solely on daily struggles to believing we’re on an endless path towards living outside our own solar system. Perhaps an even bigger factor is whether we believe we can change the trajectory of the future or if our species is simply stuck on a predetermined outcome.
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https://youtu.be/JhMfULaxkro?si=oQLNl0hXEyMD4hKC
Hi Nate,
It's so good to hear from these young people. Here are some more young people giving a magnificent performance of music which expresses so powerfully the lament and the anger of those who love the Earth.
God bless you in your life and thank you for the important work that you do.
Suzanne Dicker
Thank you so much for this interview. Watching it was a bit surreal as I was very much like these children, involved in climate and peace and leadership work from a very early age, leading to a lot of international travel in my 20’s that connected me with an incredible global network of peers who continue to do amazing work. I believe that having my voice honored and valued from a young generation age laid a really strong foundation for me to trust my own wisdom which enables me to do the work I do now of cultivating collective wisdom and nurturing regenerative culture from that place.
I was able to watch/listen to this from three perspectives: from my own inner child, as a professional working for regenerative futures, and as a mother of a two year old who is being raised, like CC, very deeply nested within the living world.
From each of these perspectives, I am grateful, and I look forward to watching this film when I am able!