EARTHCHAT: Conversations that Matter - 2

Listen at noon, Tuesday 22nd September on SeymourFM

Ruth Yeatman welcomes back Phil Bourne and Russell Fisher to continue exploring the big stories of our times.

We began this series of reflective conversations in April and in just a few months our fast paced world brings more to the table for our attention. To name just a few: - massive ‘data centres' are appearing - including in residential neighbourhoods - with seemingly no regulation. This week tech moguls are suggesting we need to put the brakes on AI development due to some unexpected ‘rogue actions' from AI run computers.

Our children continue to be molested online via ‘social media’ despite recent legislation restricting use/access for under 16 year olds. In just 28 minutes after a young male joins one of the SM platforms his feed is being targeted with ‘manosphere’ and misogynist material!

‘The far right’ continues to gain popularity around the world, skillfully dividing societies to serve their political and greedy ends. ‘Migration’ is back on the table thanks to fear mongering by ‘the far right’. Whether it was our ancestors who jumped off the first ships or whether we’ve arrived more recently to this country, simply put, we are ALL immigrants except for the Aboriginal people who have been this country’s First People for over 65,000 years. It’s not about our ancestors who were the first to arrive 200 years ago, (or some say invade), making us more entitled to live here than more recent arrivals…..

As well, whilst the three ongoing major wars continue their tragic destruction of all lifeforms and habitats in their wake, (human and otherwise), they are also pushing the climate’s temperature toward 1.5 degrees much faster than anticipated. According to the latest UN Environment Program (UNEP) report, titled, Limiting Overshoot, this is increasing the risk of triggering irreversible tipping points such as the collapse of major ice sheets, the dieback of the Amazon rainforest - known as ‘the lungs of the planet’, and the disruption of Atlantic Ocean currents.

In this 81st United Nations General Assembly High-level week, Australia’s Prime Minister is heading to NYC having spent time in Silicon Valley speaking with those AI moguls (mentioned above) about what it means to take responsibility for ethical tech development to ensure the safety of humanity. His UN speech next week will be about digital safety, child online protection, along with Australia’s bid for a UN Security Council seat for the end of this decade.

We are still so hard wired in our knee jerk reactivity of ‘fight, flight, freeze’ despite knowing that neuroplasticity is possible. With practice we can choose how we want to respond to the events in our lives and our world.  (I’m reminded of that old adage of pausing and counting 1 - 10…. )

Phil, Russell, and I aim not to be ‘seduced’ or distracted by any fear or reactivity that may arise in our conversation to discover what lies beneath the surface. We’re keen to bring discernment and scrutiny into the causes and conditions of the events, seeing them rather as ’symptoms’ obscuring the view of what’s actually going on underneath. What needs to be observed and learnt to ensure we can take better care of ourselves, each other, and all beings and systems on this precious and beautiful planet to avoid such pitfalls, and instead ensure good health and safety for all?

Join us as we take this deeper dive into the important back stories of our times.

Russell Fisher is an ecologist, strategist, educator and adventurer. He has contributed to many social, economic and environmental justice causes in different parts of the world for more than half a century, and has held a number of senior roles including being a past president of Environment Victoria.

Russell’s focus is in helping leaders, teams and communities create the space to cut through complexity and tackle their most stuck challenges. His main work is with leaders and teams on strategy, leadership development, culture and innovation.

 Russell is also a passionate cyclist and bushwalker, and has recently moved to the Gippsland south coast looking for a new adventure...

Phil Bourne was born and bred in Melbourne, Phil completed a bachelor of applied science (Occupational Therapy) in 1981 and then worked in support services for people with an intellectual disability.

He moved to the Seymour area in 1984 where he co-founded Commonground, an organisation supporting social and environmental justice by hosting, facilitating, and generally supporting groups working in these areas including asylum seekers, aboriginal, peace keepers, and environment groups.

Phil has also worked in local community development including being the inaugural Community Development Officer at Mitchell Shire, and a volunteer on groups such as The Seymour We Want, Mitchell Youth Affairs, Seymour Neighbourhood Renewal Project, and BEAM - Mitchell Environment Group, and Allies Supporting Treaty Seymour.

Phil is currently spreading his time between work at Commonground and a new project called The Cape, a developing eco village at Cape Paterson, Victoria.

Thank you to Alicja for her photograph

All on this week's EarthChat. Tune in on Tuesday, 22nd September.

Can't listen to the radio show? Catch up on Spotify, Apple Podcasts,  Podbean and the BEAM website. It is easy to EarthChat!