The Sacred

George Monbiot on Exposing Power and the Fight to Save Our Planet

The Sacred

Show Notes

In this episode Elizabeth Oldfield speaks with writer, environmentalist, and activist George Monbiot - a fiercely anti-establishment voice shaped by resistance, trauma, and a refusal to become what Britain’s elite institutions tried to make him. We discuss: - Why the language we use around the environment and climate change, isn't sufficient - Growing up with buried histories of English fascism and Jewish refuge, and what Britain still refuses to face - Boarding school trauma, survival personalities, and opting out of elite power systems - Is faith needed for moral courage? - How real change happens without becoming the thing you’re fighting --- 🎙️ Follow The Sacred: linktr.ee/sacredpodcast 📖 Follow Elizabeth Oldfield: www.elizabetholdfield.com/ 💡 Produced by the ‪@thinktanktheos‬ www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ 👉 Follow George Monbiot: https://www.instagram.com/georgemonbiot/?hl=en Chapters: 00:00 Trailer and Intro 00:56 What is Sacred to you? George Monbiot answers 06:00 Language Shapes the Fight for Our Planet 09:00 Uncovering British Fascism and His Grandmother's Involvement 12:00 Boarding School and How Elitism Tried to Shape Him 15:00 Journalism and Environmental Campaigns 18:00 Why Society and Power Work the Way They Do 21:00 How to Speak Up as an Activist Without Losing People 24:00 Power, Purpose, and How to Live Differently

Keywords:George Monbiot interview on The Sacred podcast, environmental activism and climate change discussion, how to live differently from the British elite, fighting for the living planet, rewilding and regenerative agriculture ideas, understanding neoliberalism and power, environmentalist’s guide to ethical living, grassroots activism for ecological justice, climate breakdown explained by George Monbiot, public luxury and private sufficiency philosophy, moral courage and personal growth stories, human nature and altruism debate, survival personality from boarding school trauma, family history of fascism and refugees, life lessons from an anti-establishment thinker, insights into environmental journalism, political resistance and direct action in Britain, lessons from activism in Brazil and West Papua, preserving biodiversity and ecosystems, transformative environmental philosophy, connecting with nature for mental health, environmental ethics for everyday life, how to persuade people about climate crisis, the role of empathy in social change, understanding the 1% and societal power, regenerative living and sustainable farming practices, ecological systems and life support functions, teaching community values and cooperation, overcoming fear and selfishness in society, personal transformation through nature, insights into British history and hidden fascism, activism strategies that work in practice, human impact on the natural world, fighting the system while staying honest, exploring moral and ethical values, climate emergency communication strategies, environmental storytelling for change, balancing anger and persuasion in activism, learning from liberation theology and social justice, life lessons from a radical environmentalist, tackling neoliberal myths about human nature, the role of courage in ethical action, George Monbiot on biodiversity recovery, understanding climate chaos, inspiring environmental leadership stories, how humans can live in harmony with the planet, the power of knowledge and curiosity in activism

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