Living Sustainably: Nature's Way
8-weeks | This course is completed
Recent scientific reports warn that climate change is accelerating at an alarming rate and that it is just a matter of time before the dire effects are felt by all species, including our own. It is incumbent upon all of us to understand how we in Western industrialized culture, through a worldview of mastery over nature, have disturbed Earth's natural sustainability. We will trace the history of how human beings arrived at this perilous juncture, examine alternative perspectives, and explore ways to transform society by cultivating a new mindset based on respect for the natural world.
A booklist of references for further study will be given to the students towards the end of the course.
Lyla Yastion
Lyla Yastion received a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University at Albany (SUNY) and taught courses in anthropology and religious studies at the college level for 18 years, most recently at SUNY New Paltz. After retiring she began presenting courses at lifelong learning centers at college campuses in the Hudson Valley. Lyla has written two books: Pause Now: Handbook for a Spiritual Revolution and Homesick: Finding Our Way Back to a Healthy Planet, both published by Hamilton Books. She is certified in Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) having studied with John Kabat-Zinn. Lyla is also a reiki master.
Rob Cohen
Rob Cohen is a retired technologist/farmer committed to practicing a sustainable lifestyle. He continues to work part-time as a technology consultant focused on helping non-profit organizations leverage technology.
Sean Dague
Sean Dague is a volunteer with Citizens' Climate Lobby, a volunteer driven grass roots organization that exists to create the political will for a livable world by enabling individual breakthroughs in the exercise of personal and political power. He leads the Mid-Hudson Chapter of CCL and is one of the New York State coordinators.