In preparing for my podcast conversation with Mechai Viravaidya, his team sent extra material. I think you’ll value knowing more about him. First, given that We Can Dance Around Environmental Problems All We Want. We Eventually Reach Overpopulation and Overconsumption, I consider Mechai’s work on family planning among the most important work in the world, beyond the Green Revolution. He lowered birth rate through voluntary, fun means that increased health,[…] Keep reading →

I consider Mechai Viravaidya my top role model for sustainability leadership. As I described in a recent episode, We Can Dance Around Environmental Problems All We Want. We Eventually Reach Overpopulation and Overconsumption. Before learning of Mechai Viravaidya, I knew only of China’s One Child Policy and eugenics. I couldn’t talk about population when I thought the cure was worse than the disease. Learning of Mechai changed everything. As his[…] Keep reading →

I consider Mechai Viravaidya my top role model for sustainability leadership. As I described in a recent episode, We Can Dance Around Environmental Problems All We Want. We Eventually Reach Overpopulation and Overconsumption. Before learning of Mechai Viravaidya, I knew only of China’s One Child Policy and eugenics. I couldn’t talk about population when I thought the cure was worse than the disease. Learning of Mechai changed everything. As his[…] Keep reading →

Founder and Board Chairman of the Population & Community Development Association Mechai Viravaidya, also known as “the condom king,” is Thailand’s famous fighter for family planning and safe sex. A health economist from a wealthy family and the founder of the Population and Community Development Association, Mechai is best known for his use of humor and unorthodox methods in focusing the public’s attention on public health. In the 1970s and[…] Keep reading →

Here are the notes I read from for this episode I’ve said we don’t have many role models. Well I found one. I was wrong. I’m going to tell you about a man I briefly mentioned in one of my episodes on Alan Weisman’s book Countdown. He exposes the absolute self-pitying lie that what one person do doesn’t matter. Also the lie that government has to act first, or corporations.[…] Keep reading →

Here are the notes I read from for this episode I’ve said we don’t have many role models. Well I found one. I was wrong. I’m going to tell you about a man I briefly mentioned in one of my episodes on Alan Weisman’s book Countdown. He exposes the absolute self-pitying lie that what one person do doesn’t matter. Also the lie that government has to act first, or corporations.[…] Keep reading →

Have you heard the phrase “Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution.”? It sounds extreme. Then it makes sense and you can’t see it otherwise. Similarly: nothing in sustainability works except if we first address and solve population. If you’re like most people, including me until I learned of Mechai Viravaidya and his peers, you reflexively think of China’s One Child policy or eugenics when anyone[…] Keep reading →

When myths and stories contradict, the ones that persist aren’t the ones that are right. The ones that people remember and share persist. I’m writing about it after reading this quote from E. O. Wilson: Creation stories gave the members of each tribe an explanation for their existence. It made them feel loved and protected above all other tribes. In return, their gods demanded absolute belief and obedience. And rightly[…] Keep reading →

Here are the notes I read from, responding to this op-ed piece and this review for a book I’ve talked to the author about but haven’t read. Geoengineering Prologue or Epilogue for Humanity? Introduction, context Geoengineering is becoming a more common topic as people feel more desperate. The common theme is that when things get serious, we have to put everything on the table, even things that may not work.[…] Keep reading →