What We
Can Do

Meeting human needs destroys the Earth. The planet's better off without us.Our problems are overwhelming in their complexity--inherently insoluble.Even where there are solutions we don't have the money to bring them to scale.Even if we find the money, we don't have the power to spend it where it's needed.We’re the problem. We are hopelessly divided, and our very nature is just too violent, greedy, indifferent, or foolish to do what’s needed.

1.We can restore the earth, at least enough to still save the planet. And we can meet human needs not just along with this effort, but as a core part of it.2.Many of our problems already have proven solutions and most others promising innovations. The challenge is what it can take to bring these solutions to scale—available to all who need them—and how we can bring that about, using our organized power as citizens.3.There is enough money to do that job. What has to happen is to move that money where it’s needed. Divestment, public banking, socially responsible investment, B-Corporations, and many others now emerging are potent ways citizen action can make that happen.4. We do have the power we need, when we come to solidarity--across divisions and disciplines, issues and sectors, regions and class--and then focus on the right targets using the right strategies for the rules and the systems we must change. 5. We’re actually the answer. Yes—all part of the problem, but thus also all part of the solution. The emerging powers of citizens explored in this series are arriving just at this time of massive breakdowns. What we have to do is far from easy. But it is also far from proven impossible. 

While solutions-oriented, appreciative thinking plays the critical lead in successful action, the more critical, skeptical demand for rigor and caution is as essential to success. Risks to be anticipated come in several forms:Unacknowledged conflicting needs and interests, misunderstandings, and interpersonal concerns, "feelings" and "histories" can impede essential collaboration. Creating space to work through and "harvest" substantive differences advances the planning. Time, safety and skill in exploring and where possible healing or at least accepting interpersonal differences grows the community that is itself among the critical goals of the work itself as well as allowing collaboration to continue.Things may not work as planned--in fact they usually don't. Backup plans may help. Readiness to learn and to adapt makes the unexpected often the very source of new breakthroughs. Such readiness is a matter both of ongoing efforts to stay centered, connected and open."Due deliberation" or "doing the homework" is our best effort, within the time and accessibility to information available, to at least minimize forseeable error.The powers aligned against deep systems change are vast and multi-faceted, usually subtle, and sometimes lethal in how they work. We can only study them, try to outguess them in our planning, and strengthen ourselves through centering, mutual support, and practice. Hence the often critical importance of on-going personal growth and training in communication, organizing, non-violence, and strategic action.

Second MythSolutions Map(Def Terms/Explain Map)[Kinds of Solutions] Proven: L2L Promising: 3P Established: YacoubaStrategic Social Action Solutions-Centered Social Design Design Specifications Systems Requirements Dynamic Facilitation Reframing Appreciative Inquiry Reverse Engineering Barn Building Systems Focused Citizen-Led

(Intervention/Targeted Action