223. Rethinking Carbon: An Enlightening Conversation with Paul Hawken

In this episode of the Good Dirt Podcast, hosts Emma and Mary return from winter break with a special interview featuring repeat guest Paul Hawken, the acclaimed environmentalist, author, and activist. They discuss Hawken's new book, 'Carbon, the Book of Life,' which explores the multifaceted role of carbon in our universe, challenging the prevailing view of carbon as merely a climatic culprit. Hawken shares his profound insights on the interconnectedness of all life and how shifting our perception of carbon can foster a deeper understanding of our relationship with where we live. Key themes include the limitations of current climate messaging, the emotional and intellectual journey of understanding carbon, and the need for a holistic approach to resolving environmental crises. 📖 Preorder Carbon:The Book of Life → Click here (Available in the U.S. on March 18, 2025) 00:00 Introduction to Carbon and Climate Messaging 01:50 Welcome Back to Good Dirt Podcast 03:56 Introducing Paul Hawken and His New Book 06:29 Paul Hawken on the Inspiration Behind His Work 07:37 The Role of Carbon in Climate Change 12:48 Challenges in Climate Messaging 17:21 The Interconnectedness of Life and Carbon 24:06 Stories of Connection in the Natural World 29:29 Elephant Mourning Rituals 29:45 The Intelligence of Animals 30:20 Understanding Our Place in the World 31:41 The Interconnectedness of Trees 33:33 Indigenous Knowledge and Environmental Awareness 35:59 The Role of Science in Rediscovering Nature 46:35 AI and Environmental Impact 54:01 The Importance of Grief and Heartbreak 01:00:48 Final Thoughts and Reflections Books/Articles Bill McKibben/ Global Warming's Terrifying New Math Lawrence Anthony/ The Elephant Whisperer Frans De Waal/ Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? Karen Bakker/ The Sounds of Life Zoe Schlanger/ The LIght Eaters Suzanne Simard/ Finding the Mother Tree Dara McAnulty/ Diary of a Young Naturalist Ed Conway/ Material World 📖 Preorder Carbon: The Book of Life → Click here (Available in the U.S. on March 18, 2025) 🌎 Connect with Paul: 🔗 Website: paulhawken.com 📘 Facebook | 📷 Instagram | 💼 LinkedIn | 🐦 Twitter ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community Visit Our Website Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Original music by John Kingsley. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers: • Wendy Gray