Welcome to Jessica Newfield's Newsletter: Regenerative Realities
A place for conversation to unlearn and reimagine our economic and political systems for a regenerative future.
Hello and welcome to the inaugural edition of Regenerative Realities, a space dedicated to exploring, challenging, and reimagining the world we live in. Through this newsletter, I aim to provoke thoughtful conversations and collective learning, guiding us away from entrenched capitalist norms and towards a vision of a more equitable, nature-positive, and resilient future.
Why This Newsletter, Why Now?
As we stand in 2023, the echoes of a bygone era - one promised to be filled with technological marvels and boundless prosperity - seem increasingly distant. The world we live in is starkly different, marked by systemic failures, environmental crises, and a pervasive sense of uncertainty. This disparity between what was promised and what is has led me to create this platform. It's a space for us to dissect these failures, to understand the underpinnings of our current economic and socio-political systems, and most importantly, to envision and work towards a world that prioritizes human and environmental well-being over profit.
Unlearning Capitalist Ways
One of the primary focuses of this newsletter will be to unlearn the capitalist ways that have shaped our worldviews and systems. We'll delve into the concept of the "Convenience Economy" and its impact on our lives, questioning the sustainability of a system that values immediate gratification over long-term viability. We'll challenge the notion that consumer power is the ultimate form of agency and explore alternative models of economic and social organization.
Reimagining Our World
But this journey is not just about critique; it's about construction. We will explore visions of a post-capitalist world, drawing inspiration from social movements around the globe like the Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice or the global worker movement inside Amazon, where individuals reclaim power within global supply chains. We'll discuss the potential of local, regenerative economies, and how they could replace our current extractive economic model.
Participatory Governance and Community-Led Climate Resilience
A significant portion of our discussions will revolve around participatory governance and community-led initiatives, especially in the context of climate resilience. We will look at examples of applied citizen assembly models like the French Climate Citizens' Convention, and other innovative models where collaborative efforts between government, business, and civil society are making strides towards sustainable development goals.
Join the Conversation
This newsletter is more than just a collection of essays; it's an invitation. An invitation to join a community of thinkers, activists, and organizers who believe in the possibility of a better world. Each edition will aim to not only inform but also inspire action and reflection.
So, I invite you to join me on this journey. Let's question, debate, and dream together. Let's unlearn the old ways and co-create a world that values every individual and the planet we call home.