Dr. Tim Foresman says he joined Bioneers to participate in one of the most effective models he’s seen to address complex environmental and social problems.
The former chief environmental scientist for the United Nations’ environment program is involved in Bioneers Dreaming New Mexico project, which engages diverse stakeholders to come together to dream and plan for the state’s preferred future.
Beginning in 2008, the project is convening citizens, universities, industry and government to focus on a particular issue, projecting what the future would look like following the state’s current path and then envisioning what a desired future would look like.
Once the group has decided on its preferred future they are tasked with building a future map dealing with the real pragmatics of how to get there in a comprehensive manner.
Currently, the project has developed its first future map that details the state’s transition to renewable energy.
According to Foresman what makes the project so exciting is its ability to begin a dynamic dialogue that engages people in taking charge of their own destiny.
He says having previously been involved in two United Nations world summits on sustainable development, he’s experienced first-hand the frustration of waiting for governments to take action.
”I guess it is just a primal issue for many of us thinking that some great leader on the hill will provide us with the solutions,” says Foresman. “It’s an infantile concept. The solutions are based on neighbour to neighbour, village to village and region to region.”
After leaving his post with the UN, Foresman travelled across the globe speaking about sustainable development but realized “his expertise” was not providing the much larger foundation communities needed in order to create lasting change.
He credits Dreaming New Mexico’s future maps for building that foundation.
People who want to get involved can log on to the Dreaming New Mexico website, pinpoint their location on the map and learn about initiatives in their area, resources available and local leaders.
The first map on renewable energy is just the beginning, with two future summits planned to discuss New Mexico’s food and farming practices and water management.
While it’s still too early to discuss results from the project, Foresman says the best possible outcome would be “an educated and engaged citizenry who recognizes that if they don’t take the future in their own hands, someone else will, without their vested interests.”
The Bioneers vice-president of science and education says he’s optimistic about the project’s outcomes, and is working on building a checklist for other people interested in conducting similar initiatives.
“I was attracted to Dreaming New Mexico because it was so successful in raising issues in a collaborative, consensus environment,” he says. “I believe it can serve as a model for utilization in other states and internationally.”
To learn more about Dreaming New Mexico, click here.
If you have feedback on this article, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0041, ext. 24, or e-mail camille(at)axiomnews.ca.
