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.

What could be more unjust than taking away the opportunity for future generations to inhabit a livable world.

We humans are going to learn to live in harmony with nature or we’re going to fall away. It’s inevitable.

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