023: 10 Lessons for Eco-Leaders from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

The ecological challenges ahead of us are of epic proportions. We can learn a lot by studying successful revolutions that have come before us. In this episode, you’ll hear 10 lessons for Eco-Leaders from the struggle to overcome apartheid in South Africa, as told in the movie Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. [1:00] Our education systems don’t teach us about representation or revolution. [1:15] Historically, there is a tendency for power to be concentrated in the hands of the few, at the expense of the many. [1:30] It is no less of a challenge than overcoming slavery, genocide, or apartheid. [2:00] You can’t compare 1-to-1 the suffering and injustice of apartheid to the collapse of ecological systems, but there are some similarities. [2:15] What could be more unjust than taking away the opportunity for future generations to inhabit a liveable world. [2:30] We can learn a lot from studying how huge entrenched problems were overcome. [2:50] Takeaways from the film: Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom [3:00] Not on Netflix. Check the library or wherever you watch movies. [3:15] 10 Lessons for Eco-Leaders from the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom [3:30] 1. Individually we are weak. Together we are strong. (with open hand vs closed fist image) [4:00] 2. Welcome the challenges. They will help you become who you need to be. [4:45] 3. Remind people that the end result you desire is inevitable. [5:25] 4. Don’t turn on each other. [6:40] 5. Allies matter. [7:00] 6. Follow the money. [7:50] 7. Leaders lead. [8:30] 8. Peace is the only way. [9:00] 9. Vote. [9:45]10. Don’t give up.   Quotes   It always seems impossible until it’s done. Nelson Mandela   What could be more unjust than taking away the opportunity for future generations to inhabit a livable world. Joan Gregerson   We humans are going to learn to live in harmony with nature or we’re going to fall away. It’s inevitable. Joan Gregerson Resources: Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (IMDB) If “Did Not Vote” Had Been A Candidate In The 2016 US Presidential Election, It Would Have Won By a Landslide (Brilliant Maps, November 2016) <a href= "http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/05/21/u-s-voter-turnout-trails