Our existence is intrinsically linked to the vibrant pulse of the Earth, says author and activist Joanna Macy. With an unwavering conviction, Macy invites us to acknowledge our profound connection to the planet we call home. Her impassioned words echo the undeniable reality that every atom of our being, every breath we take, is intertwined with the living fabric of Earth itself. 

Following is an edited excerpt from the transcript of Joanna Macy’s 2023 Bioneers keynote address.

When I think of what makes me tick, I think about the fact that our Earth is alive. And we know it.

Everything in my body and yours is made of this Earth. And I can tell you with some authority that you didn’t come from anywhere else. 

You can speak for Earth right now. I know a lot of places where you need to talk about it. We’ve got everything we need and everything our bodies need out of this Earth, and it’s alive. 

We don’t need to make a profit from the Earth. Could it be possible that with the supreme danger of climate catastrophe facing us, we could outgrow capitalism? We can’t save our Earth without shaking off capitalism. Every day of your life from this moment on can be another way of learning that and celebrating coming back to life. 

When you take stock, we’ve been doing some pretty crazy things as a species. We think we’re so fine; we’re standing on our hind legs and have these mouths and opposable thumbs. But look what we’ve done. 

So I’m going to suggest what you can do to save the world. The way for you to have a happy life and keep the planet intact is to be glad you’re alive.

Imagine being alive, made of everything from this particular planet; to have this thermostat, totally appropriate to what you want to feel. Being alive with a heart, with eyes that can see, with lungs that can breathe. It’s incredible, the way we’re put together, with legs that can walk, hands that can shake, eyes that can learn to read.