Bioneers brings together a very diverse, discerning, engaged and reflective community, and the curated conversations around crucial topics we have been hosting recently (“Conversation Cafes”) have proven highly popular and stimulating. Each session begins with a very brief presentation by one of the conference presenters as a “conversation starter” to frame the topic, followed by structured group discussion. At the end of each session, a “harvester” who has carefully witnessed and “absorbed” what has transpired, offers us a poetic synopsis/recapitulation of the highlights of our time together.

Our conversation starter Aya de Leon, longtime activist, novelist and Berkeley’s current Poet Laureate, will frame our topic: How can the climate and environmental movements mobilize to maintain the democracy that allows us to keep fighting for a livable planet? As the climate crisis escalates and the window for action to save our species narrows, it can seem critical to stay focused exclusively on climate, but what about threats of authoritarianism? We count on a functional yet flawed and limited form of democracy to do our organizing. In 2024, when that foundation is threatened, can we pivot our energies toward maintaining a democratic context in which we can keep working for people and planet? How do we move to a greater vision of liberation? Are there progressive folks on the ground we can support in building climate-friendly power beyond November of this year? The conversations will be facilitated by: David Shaw, Santa Cruz Permaculture and UCSC Right Livelihood Center. “Harvester:” Jason Bayani, author, theater performer, Artistic Director, Kearny Street Workshop.