Adult Program
Develop new perspectives on the various systems contributing to the climate crisis to better identify high leverage points and maximize your efforts.
Upcoming Sessions
April 10 to May 31, 2023
Mondays and Wednesdays
Times in Eastern Daylight Saving Time:
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Group 1: 08:00 am to 10:00 am
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Group 2: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
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Group 3: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Please check below equivalent time zones to find the best group for you:
Common Earth Insights: Developing a Systemic Understanding of Climate Change
2 Modules
Duration: 8 weeks per module - 2 sessions per week
Session length: 2 hours
Format: Online - Live & Interactive sessions
Group size: 14 participants or less
Commitment: 8 hours per week (live sessions plus 1 to 2 hours of prework for each session.
Investment: This program is fully sponsored by Common Earth.
Registration for each Module is done separately. Registration for Module 2 occurs after the conclusion of the 1st Module. While we hope everyone will continue their journey with us, Module 2 is discretionary. Once your spot has been confirmed, we ask that you honour the commitment in order to maximize both your own experience and that of the group.
Course Content
Module 1 focuses on the following 4 elements:
Module 1:
Shifting Perspectives and Making Connections
The Principles of Human Experience
One of the foundational premises for Common Earth is the centrality of thought. Once we have a clearer understanding of the ways in which we are the authors of our own reality, it becomes that much easier to see how we can write a different story.
Systems Thinking
Understanding systems thinking equips us with a more holistic understanding of how everything from the plumbing in our house, to our body, to the environment, is a series of nested systems – each comprised of sub-systems. Understanding the world this way provides a more fulsome understanding of the dynamics of any situation. This enables us to see what is holding the present system in place, and where to intervene to create positive change. Using this scientific approach to solving problems, we are more likely to be successful while avoiding unintended consequences.
The Origin Story
Every civilization has an origin story. These stories bind a community together and give meaning to individual lives. While honouring the world's cultural diversity, the world now needs a global unifying story of how we came into being. Modern mathematical cosmology is that awe-inspiring story that can unify us as a global people.
The Climate Crisis
We explore the growing adverse impacts humans are having on the planet and how we can begin to alter this trajectory.
Module 2 explores the following 4 new elements while continuing to build on the knowledge acquired in Module 1:
Module 2:
Identifying Leverage Points and Harnessing Community
The Economy
With the support of new economic theories, we explore how our current economic systems are creating the climate crisis. From corporate monopolies, to the role of debt, and to the growing concentration of wealth; we will explore how these aspects of our current economic and social systems also engender the climate crisis. With that understanding we move into Modern Monetary Theory and inclusive economic models that can move us towards an empowering community.
Biomimicry
The science of biomimicry is to understand ecological solutions to problems encountered in nature over millions of years and apply those solutions in our technological world. From aerodynamics to colour changing properties, the natural world has elegant solutions to our sustainability problems if we only look to nature as our guide.
Thermodynamics
Through a deeper understanding of fundamental physics principles, we will reach a richer understanding of how energy systems work and our dependency on them in our daily lives. This will empower us to understand the constraints we have to work under, and how to move to a post carbon caring society.
Regenerative Agriculture
Current industrial agriculture practices release up to ¼ of the planet’s carbon emissions. This impacts both climate change and soil quality. At this rate we will run out of arable soil within 60 years. Regenerative agriculture approaches farming with a focus on growing healthy soil, plants, and ecosystems while putting carbon in its place.
Community
With a deeper understanding of how natural communities work in partnerships that thrive through operating in support and reciprocity, we become empowered to see the connections in our own lives. This enables us to create stronger caring communities in our own lives and for the sustainability of the environment as a whole.
I don’t want to look back and wonder what more I could have done to save the planet.
- Jane Fonda