Our spring issue explored what an ecological civilization might look like, digging into the origins and implementation of the principles that guide modern movements toward societies based on natural ecology.
Online, we asked readers where they are seeing elements of an ecological civilization arise in their own communities:
“I see people in my community (Brattleboro, Vermont, and the surrounding area) embracing ecological civilization principles by creating more edible landscapes that will help us be more resilient to the climate crisis as well as the ongoing crisis of capitalism/exploitation. We’re planting over 800 nut trees this spring to provide food for humans and nonhuman animals as part of the Rewild Vermont project of 350Vermont. The trees will benefit the area in so many different ways and we’re able to build community through the planting and tending of them. Other groups in the area, like Edible Brattleboro, are also building up food justice by planting gardens anyone can harvest.” —Lindsey B., Brattleboro, Vermont.
“I see it in the rise of mutual aid groups for food, rent, and resources, also in local ‘buy nothing’ groups and gardening groups. Specifically in Tacoma, we have a wonderful coalition of groups focused on stopping Puget Sound Energy’s scheme of operating an 8-million-gallon [liquefied natural gas] storage/refinery right in Tacoma!” —Marilyn K., Tacoma, Washington.
On Feb. 25, YES! Presents held “An Ecological Civilization: The Path We’re On,” a webinar co-hosted by YES! Executive Editor Zenobia Jeffries Warfield and Andrew Schwartz of the Institute for Ecological Civilization, featuring contributing authors Leah Penniman, Winona LaDuke, and Jeremy Lent. In addition to comments from thousands of attendees who joined us live, several readers shared their reflections after the event:
“I love the image of Winona being quarantined with a bunch of youngsters ‘wanting to learn.’ I suspect that they did—and didn’t—know what they were getting into. She is such a natural at ‘cutting to the chase’ as she responds to your questions. Wonderful clarity and inspiration. Then there’s Leah ‘not knowing anything about economics,’ yet spelling things out so clearly. As an elder permaculture devotee, I yearn for more of the connection to Gaia that Leah is showing is part of our cultural heritage and a current need and possibility. [And] Jeremy putting things into a broader and broader context and into the current context—what a door opener.” —Ken H., Reno, Nevada
“I so much appreciated the richness of the personalities you assembled, the wealth of new insights, the moments of humor, and the lasting inspiration. Reading your articles helps me to stay in touch with the explosion of activity calling for entirely new ways of being human and doing pretty much everything.
“As I take in all the encouraging information, I can’t help wondering whether it’s time to find a name for this broad movement, and a way for the many points in this web of activity to connect with each other. There are so many places where work is overlapping or efforts are being duplicated. Is it time to shift from grassroots activity to a next stage involving organization, communication networking, cooperation and synergy? ‘The YES! Movement’ comes to mind. … I know this is a broad question I’m floating, but it wants to be spoken.” —Laura S., Vancouver, B.C., Canada
YES! Editors
are those editors featured on YES! Magazine’s masthead. Stories authored by YES! Editors are substantially reported, researched, written, and edited by at least two members of the YES! Editorial team.