Hi Everyone and welcome to Alastair McIntosh’s Riders on the Storm book chat and book launch. Published today by Berlin

The event is organised by Berlin and Co-Hosted by Centre for Human Ecology (Luke Devlin) and Climate Fringe (Kat Jones) with UNESCO Chair for Refugee Integration at University of Glasgow

LINKS FOR THIS BOOK:1) Buy your copy direct from Birlinn: https://bit.ly/BirlinnRiders (includes overseas)2) Opus Earth video of the book (5 mins): https://bit.ly/riders-storm-video3) Centre for Human Ecology reading group, 7 pm each Thursday in September: https://bit.ly/RidersCHE4) Climate Fringe’s diary of events for COP26: https://climatefringe.org/

Great commentary!

I’ve never been in a zoom call so big!!

176

First furlong…. coming up to Beecher’s Brook…

Hi Marie McF how’s Inverness?

Hi Alastair!

Coming into the last straight…

Oh hi Joe! It’s great thanks - very green! Loch looking lovely. How are you?

It is raining in New York.

Hello from balmy Levenwick, Shetland.

VERY sunny and hot in Argyll.

Hi all - Réamonn here in sunny Armagh.

It never rains in Glasgow

A beautiful day in North Carolina USA!

Vermont says hi!

Hello from Abernethy - where its been a lovely day

There’s more than one on some computers. It’s gorgeous in Arbroath!

Hi Alastair, fitlike?

Sunny and warm in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Ha ha ha Martin!!!

overcast in fife

muggy in Hereford

It's not raining in Devon

greetings from Montauk, NY, USA

Gorgeous in Argyll

Haaaary in Auld Reekie

Hot and humid in Norwich

It’s dreary in Dunblane… but sunshine from this event!

not even raining in Aberdeen

Loch Erisort on Lewis looking bright and blue tonight!

Dull in Moray

Greetings from Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, Canada

Overcast in York

yes

Totally gorgeous in Ayr

hornsea, e yorkshire

stormy down in Southampton

Hi everyone - congrats Alastair! This is an important book. Love from Catherine and Scott

Glorious in Galloway 😎

<3

Sunny in Stockholm, Sweden!

Hot and humid in Nova Scotia, Canada. Wishing Alastair all the best, and thanks for another important book!

www.climatefringe.org there’s a sign up for the monthly newsletter on the homepage

hola CHE and EDOC!

feasgar math bho Selkirk!!

can you unmute me please

Hi Luke!

Lovely to see so many familiar CHE faces here! And others too of course!

Greetings, friends, from a very longtime CHE supporter!

Hola Nick :)) great to find you here !!!

Centre for Human Ecology reading group, 7 pm each Thursday in September: https://bit.ly/RidersCHE

Is the reading group something that folks from around the world could join as well?

yes absolutely Sarah

Wonderful!

greetings from me too, another longstanding CHE friend

thought my name would show there! Anna Munro in Edinburgh

Alistair McIntosh gave a wonderful presentation last night at Canada Yearly Meeting (Quakers)Quaker Leadings and our Calling in these TimesIn the next few days it should become available at https://quaker.ca/yearlymeetinginsession/longer-schedule-description/ After about 30 days it will be on the Canada Yearly Meeting Vimeo page.I am joining from Salford, UK

Everyone might enjoy clicking on “Speaker View” in top right corner on a laptop.

Opus Earth video of the book (5 mins): https://bit.ly/riders-storm-video

OIl gas and PNG- destroyed it

Do you think there is a problem with the language of 'deniers' and 'believers'?

I love that. Community as the answer.

Do you think Jason Moore's concept of the Capitalocene is important in addressing the problem?

Thank you Alastair

thank you very much Alastair.

You have spoken, in the trailer for the book, of a collective trauma that leaves us vulnerable to exploitation and consumerism.If unattended trauma causes us to lose our power and to seek false security, how instead can we grow through trauma to become wise, strong and connected?

Our current democracies are premised own short-term thinking, and ‘the will of the people’ shaped by consumerism and the meeting of immediate needs. It has also been hollowed out by corporate dominance of political life. How do we reshape democracy so that the needs of the planet can be heard, and the populists/technocrats we currently elect don’t end up killing us and the earth?

Can we discuss CC without discussing capitalist concepts of growth, development and progress - and how we manifest these in our own lives. In other words, what does a sustainable life actually look like - private cars, cheap flights, globalized markets accessed at the click of a button - and so much more that we take for granted - are these things still acceptable as claims for our nice Western way of life?

Well said Simon!

Can we use the term Climate Disruption rather than Climate Change - the latter being something which is apparently just happening and the former that is something we might be threatened by / might wish to address? Just like the term should be Global Heating - rather than Global Warming?

So trauma and historical and intergenerational trauma is so much at the root of our global social dysfunction?

When the first colonial people arrived from Scotland, Ireland, England, they had come from several generations that endured the mini ice age. I think about how that impacted their personalities when they collided with the Native Americans.

Alastair hinted at the idea of 7 generations, talking about the traumas…

I’m the seventh generation from my fourth great grandfather who fought in the Revolution in Virginia. Possibly Scottish.

The pornography of advertising is something I notice all the time!

Re short-term thinking and the need for longer term thinking in our politics and other systems, Roman Kyznaric’s insightful book (also just published) would complement Alastair’s well. https://www.romankrznaric.com/good-ancestor

+++++

Recognition of the collective trauma leads to commend friends to the Climate Psychology Alliance - Scotland chapter where some of these concerns are being explored. Amusingly we are considered “International”! https://www.climatepsychologyalliance.org/international/366-cpa-scotland

....so....are we also in recovery from addictions to oil, consumerism, ways to numb out ..... and is community recovery another framing that is helpful?

Yes, that’s a trap: trying to be spotless and waiting until you are before you start doing anything

A useful just published companion book to Alastair’s is Greed is Dead by the economists Paul Collier and John Kay, making a compelling case for a return to community and communitarianism as the antidote to individualism, narcissism and economic self interest.

New post-Covid localising that will reduce air and road miles; a new ‘self-sufficiency’ of nations and regions to reduce emissions and develop community?

Are you optimistic that younger generations (thinking particularly under 18) might be different? Covid, lower life expectancy, generations not becoming “better off” than the previous one, a possible shift in the exam system given what’s happening in the UK(!!)…….might these things shift them towards community?

Perhaps its languages Nick, but i don't see it as recovery in the sense of addiction, but something much deeper and not dealing with toxicity but rather re-discover something deeply inate at the core of our being? Becoming more human

yes!

Roger Hallam is a harbinger of Eco terrorism.

False satisfiers can also give rise of people seeking community in the wrong places, and give rise to the fascist currents we're witnessing now, including ecofascism. The latter may become a much more prominent threat as people's awareness of climate change rises but embodied knowing about trauma doesn't?

Yes, you can’t be angry every day of your life.

Nick & Joe: Becoming more human certainly resonates with me. Makes me think of the Christian theologian Norman Wirzba who writes about the need for humanity to embrace our "creatureliness"

What do you mean Nick Stewart? Could you say a little more?

I find trauma a more compelling and scientific explanation than ''individualism, narcissism and economic self interest'' of our current human condition.

There must be revolution, but a revolution of kindness?

A revolution of hope too?

@Helen could trauma be the root, the others the symptoms?

Lovely Sarah!

Especially of hope, not waiting for permission for hope!

Thank you Alastair for all the plugs! Just a reminder to look at the website https://climatefringe.org/

Here's the link to buy your copy of the book: https://bit.ly/BirlinnRiders (includes overseas)

@Svenja - yes! but it is important to name the cause

Mary MacCallum Sullivan - revolution of kindness but also of respect?

Hope is not strong enough; I find an element of despair in the question of hope. I am confident that we can do this.

@JoeLafferty extremist, absolutist ideologies lead to violence. we’ve seen this over and over agin since the 1960s.

Thanks Nick, that’s much clearer. Appreciate hearing your perspective.

we are appreciating your hosting thank you :)

Thank you Alastair and Alison; I look forward very much to reading the book….

Hasn’t the alarmists’ prophecies been disproved by the human reaction to the pandemic crisis ‘love of neighbour’ etc that we CAN work together to combat threats to human life?

Thank you all for this wonderful chat!

Thanks

Mary, I hear what you're saying about hope. I also do think processing and making room for grief and despair can be helpful for sustaining the kind of activism needed in this moment. For me, this is where ritual and spirituality come in!

Thank you Alastair !!!

Thank you all!

Thanks everyone - great talk, dialogue and questions / dialouge in the chat. Insighrul and stimulating!

I am excited to teach Riders on the Storm this term! Thank you!

be hopeful, even if no grounds for optimism!!

Great to connect with CHE again!

So glad I joined, it was fascinating. Looking forward to reading the book. Off to put my grandchildren to bed. (Chris Redhead)

Thank you Alastair it has been wonderful to listen to your explore your journey and how you birth this community message to us all

I’m so glad I joined the book launch and can’t wait to get “dug in” to the book with a dram! Cheers Alastair and Alison for this launch.

thank you Alistair for all your energy and endeavour and the gift of this creation x x blessings

Thanks to all the team that set this up and helped Alastair share some of his visions! Important stuff! And also to lovely, erudite and thought provoking hosting by Alison!

To accompany is a very strong value and strategy!

Will the recording be made available Alison?

It’s not sufficient though to just condemn ‘extremists’. Need to understand why they feel no other option left. I used to feel very similar - as did many friends in the ‘direct action’, scene - property damage, trying to shut down coal power stations etc - because we felt it was proportionate and that other avenues had utterly failed (re. climate, weapons manufacture, etc).

Appreciating your hosting too Alison!

Condemnless, understand more, Jen…!

Thank you all. Alastair for writing; others for support!

Meal do naidheachd Alastair. I very much look forward to reading the book. I am thinking about our Lewis friends and how they and many other small communities of the Highlands can and will contribute to the warp and weft of resilience and deep renewal.

One final wee link to the book - cheers all! https://bit.ly/BirlinnRiders

Hi Lucy, will the recording be made available?

Thank you Alastair (& co). Sadly have to head off. Cheers - enjoy the dram!

Thank you Alison you have been an amazing host and I have loved your thoughts and fantastic contribution!

We'll email all attendees a link to the recording afterwards once it's available

Thank you everyone. Best wishes for the book. MY connection is now unstable, so I may leave.

Will recording be made availalbe?

Yes I’m here

Thank you, so much richness to think about.

Thanks to all, was great to hear from those who are connected with CHE who are attending. I believe the recording will be made available shortly

Thank you for a lovely gathering!

Hi Joe yes the recording will be available after the event - we'll email all attendees.

Thanks Lucy!!

Thank you and wild blessings

I find many people in their 20s to have a emotional and global intelligence I don't think my friends or I had... I feel there is something new and different in them already...

++ Helen

Thank you Alastair. I think intergenerational work is hugely important. I love the weaving analogy! I agree @Helen about their understanding of certain things being different and possibly deeper

I agree about intergenerational work and also love the weaving analogy!

Thanks so much. Really looking forward to reading the book - collecting a copy from our local bookshop tomorrow!

Scotland is trying to become a trauma informed nation. I wonder what impact that might have?

Alastair, it seems that our politics (at least in the US) is by definition, given what you just said, not a politics of friendship. So how do we square away the need for community and friendship, with a politics of hostility (and with Trump, active disenfranchisement)?

Glad I managed to come along.. Afraid I have to go but hope to connect again.. sounds like a great book!!

I have to leave now but wanted to express my gratitude to all for a such a interesting, enlightening and hopeful evening. I look forward to watching the rest of the discussion on the recording later and to reading Riders on the Storm.

Thanks Alastair!

Alastair mentions drawing on Bhuddist teachings … if these speak to you you might enjoy a Retreat this Saturday in the Plum Village tradition drawing on Thich Nhat Hahn/s “Love Letter to the Earth” https://augretreat.eventbrite.co.uk

Alastair: in the book: you many times suggest a reader might skip a chapter or two: which chapter would you rather they really did not skip?

Todd: Your question makes me think particularly about about the book Watershed Discipleship edited by Ched Myers. Thinking about place-based response to social and ecological justice.

The film, The Act of Killing is evidence that there are people who will never feel bad about mistreating - and killing - others. There are people in power who are serious sociopaths who are only going to change through implacable resistance?

I am reminded the concept of a right of passage to mark the transition from youth to adulthood. The investment between generations in sharing knowledge, giving space. Giving time, helping provide the breadth of experiences our youths experience, while helping them explore for themselves the golden threads of knowledge gained by asking questions and answering for themselves. I am also aware from my own life without an intergenerational right of passage, where I had to make the transition from youth to adulthood within a peer group with all the risk that brings. While finally, I reflect on the challange in this age to be the best parent and steward to my children. Trying to survive and make space and time in modern busy world. Ensuring my own children had a sense of shared journeying with me and our kin. Then when there time arrived making time and space to witness their transition into the world where their voice and sense of right in being in community as a contributor to placemaking has been made.

Thank you Alastair, amazing work , I keep learning

Really inspired by A&A’s reflections on Scottish traditions of hospitality & fostering. Bonds of milk stronger than bonds of blood. & remembering that PNG folk talk of “mama blood” & “mama true”. As one of the few who have inherited land, and living/working with Q of how to share & pass it on in a right, fair & true way, I am moved by the potential of inheritance being passed down the line in a true way, through those who really show up to hold the burden & share the harvest as EVEN more important than the blood line. But how can make the leap in a way that does not deny our ancestors - good & bad, right & wrong, rich & poor?

Libation!

cheers

++ Ninian

Slainte Mhor Alastair, well deserved.

Slainte everyone! Thank you Alistair and hosts.

Lots of interesting ideas, now looking forward to get stuck into the book.

So true, Todd

Completely agree Todd. A politics of focusing on the individual and not the connection with other. But also, I wonder if this links to the mask issue. And that most white men are not used to having others control or make decisions about what they can and can’t do with their bodies

So much to think about. Thank you everyone.

Trump also had a father who contributed negatively to his psyche according to his Niece Mary Trump in her book. His influence seemed more malign than his passive mother according to this book.

I came across the idea of ‘unconditional positive regard’ in a book by a cousin training to be a mental health nurse… is ‘unconditional positive regard’ what you are talking about?

trump and authoritarianism? Not necessarily violence - but implacable resistance - Ghandian.

This is tough. But while operating from the heartlands of friendship and the work of love, I think we still have to face up to the fact that there are forces (and politicians) who have to be defeated. Noam Chomsky has aid recently, “I want you to vote for Joe Biden and then haunt my dreams.” Cornel West has said: “Biden is a neoliberal disaster, Trump is a neofascits catastrophe. In a swing state I’ll vote for a neoliberal disaster… and take the struggle from there.” How do we marry love and struggle?

Thanks Alastair & Alison, Luke, Kat et al. for carrying out this vital work - the work of poets worthy of that name - Gura fada buan sibh - beannachtaí ó Ard Mhacha.

Spirituality is micro - resistance is macro?

"How do we marry love and struggle?" Beautifully put, Simon.

Kia ora Alistair, and everyone. Thank you Alistair, for sharing more of your beautifu deep work. Looking forward to reading the book, and receiving this Zoom recording. Have to go - but what a way to start my day here in Aotearoa! Nga mihi nui, aroha atu, Chriss x

`Have to go now. Thank you do much for the questions and reflections. It is raining at last in Oxford.

Now that the book is published, what most worries you about the way it might be received? What responses would give you concern?

Yes, its really good up=-to date homework

I have to go but tapadh leibh Alastair and Alison.

Yes, the whole “library: is worthwhile

We have to go — but thank you Alastair, Alison and team! The book arrived today and we’re looking forward to reading it x

I'm so excited about reading this text and using it with the faith communities I work with in the United States (southern Appalachia). Place/community are central to resilience, how we advocate for mitigation, and how we adapt--in order to not only survive, but to show up for each other with love. Thank you, Alastair for this resource.

Thank you, Alastair. A delight to hear you and swim in your ideas for a while. Thanks, Alison. And how wonderful it is to see CHE friends, and everyone. xxxx

You keep us awake with the comparison between CO2 and alcohol in the bloodstream!

That;’s great, Sarah. :)

Can you arrange launch e-drams Alastair?

Ha ha, e-drams, I'm in!

I have to go now, but many thanks for a truly inspiring gathering, Alastair, Alison and everyone. Adam

bye Adam....lovely to see you

Tapadh Leibh Alastair. Thoroughly enjoyed this discussion. Looking forward to reading your book.

I need to go too - what a wonderful event. Despite the limitations of virtual meeting, real warmth, humour, friendship as well as respectful dialogue not to mention great input and hosting from Alistair and Alison. Thanks to everyone! Warm regards, Joe

You mentioned ritual, memory and prayer - what is the connection? and what is the call? Thank you for all of this and looking forward to reading.

thanks you all for your time and energy tonight. I have to go while look forward to reading the book and feeling part of a wider community

Yes. Thank you, David!

Thanks Alison - the review is here: https://climatefringe.org/riders-on-the-storm/

Thanks, Alastair, and all. In solidarity, Todd

Thank you Alastair; thank you Alison; thank you all. Looking forward to reading the book. Night night all.

Beautiful.

Bless you and thank you. Alistair. Do feel free to suggest to us what we should be doing around the time of COP26 next year, and until then. :) x

In ancestor worship one is also helping their next rebirth. The ethical consequences of our actions extend throughout all universes, survive death and give rise to our next rebirth. My original spirituality came from the 12th to 15th century Yoruba.

Aye…Revolution, devolution & evolution - the greatest of these is evolution

such fantatsic questions and answers here. and such a feeling of connection.

the living web of connection - here now - here and there - in all or some of its beautiful diversity

It’s real, but by digital means, tonight

Thank you for that reminder, Alastair

the story of the Glasgow hutters feels an apt metaphor. socialist walking groups on a Saturday going from Glasgow to Carbeth. One year a tent, next year a tent with a ply floor, the next a shack and the next a Hut. squatting, now landowning

yes good one

and such an answer that was!

Thank you so much!

Thank you all. It was wonderful to join you from North Carolina.

Thank you so much for doing this online.

Great stuff Rory - and love the work you are on

Reminders: 1) Buy your copy direct from Birlinn: https://bit.ly/BirlinnRiders (includes overseas)2) Opus Earth video of the book (5 mins): https://bit.ly/riders-storm-video3) Centre for Human Ecology reading group, 7 pm each Thursday in September: https://bit.ly/RidersCHE4) Climate Fringe’s diary of events for COP26: https://climatefringe.org/

This is already a great contribution to 3rd Millennium Christianity

absolutely Verene

Am loving the way the women are showing up now - strong and powerful -

sending 💚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🌲 from Fife. the fairies are gathering wearing galoshes and carrying paddles for the currach of Hope 💚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🌲

Thank you - wonderful!!

what a gift - such nourishment for the soul - thank you

Thank you all

Yes, apocalyptic is our spiritual resource for this crisis.

Thank you thank you all.

Beautiful holding Alison

thank you all

Thank you all, and to Alastair!

a beautiful way to end this extraordinary discussion. thank you so much.

Wonderful, thank you.

Thanks for the insightful discussion, Alastair! Looking forward to reading some of your books for a class with Laura Hope-Gill this semester.

goodbye all

thank you! ( Anna)

nite nite....lots of love....

Inspirational!

bless you and thank you

Thank you.

thank you for a fascinating and inspiring discussion. Goodnight

Thanks all and goodnight!

all is very well.... thank you

Thank you for being so real tonight. I’m going to go before you want me to speak! :-)