DeepSummary
The transcript depicts a conversation between Pippa Johnstone and her cousin Emma Campbell, where Pippa reflects on the prospect of having a child in the face of the climate crisis. She ponders the ethical implications and the potential carbon footprint legacy she would leave for future generations. Pippa visits a cabin in the woods, seeking clarity and guidance from the natural surroundings.
Pippa shares her internal conflict, questioning whether having a child is an act of hope or a selfish desire driven by biological impulses. She contemplates the responsibility she would have not only for her child's carbon footprint but also for subsequent generations. Pippa discusses the concept of 'climate legacy' with a friend, Kimberly Nicholas, who explains that parents are responsible for a fraction of their descendants' carbon footprints.
Pippa also interviews Lisa Cooke Ravensbergen, an Anishinaabe friend, who shares her perspectives on parenting as an act of reciprocity and honoring the land they occupy. Lisa discusses the importance of instilling values of interconnectedness and responsibility in children for the sake of future generations. Pippa reflects on the choices she would make as a parent and the kind of world she would hope to leave for her child.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The dilemma of having a child in the face of the climate crisis involves weighing personal desires against ethical and environmental considerations.
- The concept of 'climate legacy' suggests that parents are responsible for a fraction of their descendants' carbon footprints, extending their environmental impact far beyond their lifetimes.
- Parenting can be viewed as an act of reciprocity and responsibility towards future generations and the land they occupy.
- Instilling values of interconnectedness, self-awareness, and responsibility in children can equip them to navigate potential challenges and live fulfilling lives.
- Hope can be a powerful force that motivates action and perseverance, even in the face of uncertainty and adversity.
- Personal introspection and self-reflection play a crucial role in navigating complex ethical and existential decisions.
- Seeking guidance and perspectives from others, including experts, friends, and cultural traditions, can provide valuable insights and alternative viewpoints.
- The decision to have a child involves balancing personal desires, ethical considerations, and a commitment to creating a better world for future generations.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Hope, I know, is a fighter and a screamer.“ by Pippa Johnstone
- “We're so obsessed with passing on our genetic code, our family names, and not wired in that same way. To think about the bigger legacy I could be heaping on carbon long after I'm ashes.“ by Pippa Johnstone
- “I'm trying to give them what they need so that they can die well, you know, so that they can get to the end of whatever their life on this earth is? Knowing that they knew themselves as best that they could. Knowing that they loved as best as they could.“ by Lisa Cooke Ravensbergen
Entities
Person
Organization
Book
Episode Information
Expectant
Pippa Johnstone
6/8/23
She listens for the answer.
This episode features Emma Campbell and Lisa Cooke Ravensburgen, and sounds best with headphones. Find the episode transcript here.