Reflections on the Moment
September 3, 2020 Roots of ChangeI believe resilience may prove the key word for this century. The word simply means the ability to recover quickly from difficulties. As most will acknowledge, this century will bring plenty from which to recover. Resilience is the response we need. Fortunately, the word is in the air. I read many articles, hear conversations and […]
Read MoreThe Larta Institute Offers Good News in Hard Times
August 20, 2020 Michael R. DimockThere are fires in all directions of the nine Bay Area counties of northern California and over 370 statewide. All of this in the midst of serious level of Covid-19 infections in our state. This is the scenario I feared as COVID took hold in March and April. The climate crisis exhibits a horrifying growth […]
Read MoreTime Will Tell, But Real Change May be Possible
July 9, 2020 Roots of ChangeReflections on the Moment: The Black Lives Matter movement fills my mind. It is framed by COVID-19 and the rants of a racist President who seems committed to destroying the nation’s cohesion. Ironically, this may cure the dis-ease that has plagued the national soul for centuries. Perhaps delusions are being revealed and rejected in favor […]
Read MoreA Call to Action: Here is How to Create A Better Post COVID-19 World
April 17, 2020 Roots of ChangeWe have entered the age of cascading natural disasters. These disruptions are defining our future. Scientists tell us more killer pandemics lay ahead. As do more mega droughts and extreme weather events that will cause massive floods, polar vortexes, unprecedented winds with immense fires and interminable power shutdowns. Most of the nation’s political leaders remain too enthralled […]
Read MoreHappy New Year! A Brief Report on Our Work
January 6, 2020 Roots of ChangeBelow are brief recaps for our 2019 work as well as what we see for 2020. Fostering Many Dialogues Dialogues are conversations in which people think together to derive more understanding and conviction and they are the center of our Flipping the Table podcast. I have wonderful memories of podcasts with many powerful leaders. If […]
Read MoreASI at UC Davis partners with Roots of Change to Magnify Voices for Climate Smart Agriculture
November 25, 2019 Roots of ChangeGuest blog by ASI (Image: Climate-smart farmers, advocates and scientists dialog on the future). California’s rural communities face immense pressure from climate change and the environmental challenges inherent to agriculture. But the people living and working in these vulnerable communities aren’t often invited to the table when research and policy agendas are being set. We […]
Read MoreGiving Thanks
Michael R. DimockImage: Ali Ghiorse (Left) and Rachel Khanna, hosts of Creative Conversations. I am back in California after three weeks on the road. I traveled to southern Baja in Mexico to rest with three friends, then to New York and Connecticut to record eight podcasts for season two of Flipping the Table. In each place, I […]
Read MoreMichael’s Final Thoughts Coming Out of Slow Food Nations in Denver
August 6, 2019 Roots of ChangeJuly 18-20, 2019 I wanted to offer some final thoughts related to Slow Food, following the trip I took to Denver for the 3rd Annual Slow Food Nations event in Denver, Colorado. First some context: I became a dues-paying member of Slow Food in the mid 1990s and remain one to this day. In 1997, […]
Read MoreRice and Wine Creating a Great Blend for California’s Ecosystem
July 8, 2019 Michael R. DimockOne might not typically put rice and wine together in their minds. Rice and beer or wine and pasta would be less surprising. But that’s if you are thinking about your next meal. If you are considering the ecological activities of farmers, rice and wine blend nicely. In California, there are no crops that have […]
Read MoreThe Los Angeles Food Policy Council: A model for the nation
June 25, 2019 Michael R. DimockMore than at the state level, and certainly more than at the federal level these days, food activists have traction in cities and counties. They are making good things happen. The best example I can think of is the Los Angeles Food Policy Council. On Thursday, June 21st, the summer solstice, I travelled to LA […]
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