Skip to content

You are using an outdated browser

Internet Explorer is not supported by this site and Microsfot has stopped releasing updates, therefore you may encounter issues whilst visiting this site and we strongly recommend that you upgrade your browser for modern web functionality, a better user experience and improved security.

Upgrade my browser

Deepak Chopra explains why “Environment” is the wrong word

Author and alternative medicine advocate Deepak Chopra explains why the word ‘Environment’ is the wrong word, and that realising this is key to solving the climate crisis.

“This word, ‘Environment’ is a wrong word…” — Deepak Chopra

In an interview for at the Climate Solutions Summit, Indian-American author, speaker and alternative medicine advocate, Deepak Chopra speaks of the “Environment” as a part of us, not something separate to us.

Has the “Human Experiment” failed?

“This word, ‘Environment,’ is a wrong word. I think we start there…” begins Deepak Chopra in an interview for the Climate Solutions Summit 2019 (June 27-30).

“We call it the environment, but this is recycling as your body. Those rivers are recycling as your circulation. The air is your breath. The trees are your lungs.”

“The last mass extinction was 65 million years ago, when a meteorite fell on planet Earth and dinosaurs were wiped out. 

From your point of view and my point of view, that was… a fortunate thing. We wouldn’t be here if that hadn’t happened, you know? A new species evolved.”

So one way of thinking about this… the human experiment was a good idea but it failed.”

Chopra goes on to talk about drones, nuclear warfare, eco-destruction and extinction of species , before he says the most dangerous of all is climate change, because “It’s connected to everything.” 

The other scenario is possible, and that is there’s a deep emotional and spiritual shift first, ‘cause when you look at that tree, you look at this sky, one way of saying it is ‘That’s a tree.” Another way of looking at that is, ‘That’s my lungs. If that didn’t breathe, I wouldn’t breathe.”

He explains the biggest challenge we face is lack of awareness, and goes on to suggest a collective conversation needs to be had media, social media, in politics, in business, in educational institutions, and even in entertainment.

When water becomes a stream, that’s called phase transition. There’s turbulence and there’s chaos. Every great change is preceded by chaos. I’m hoping that’s whats happening, that we are in the midst of a phase of transition.

There’s fear, there’s reluctance, there’s a fear of the unknown, which is the only place to go to. The unknown is the only place where there’s creativity, but people are so fixated… on not losing the known identities that they have. So we need to expand the collective conversation.”

See Deepak Chopra’s suggested solution below. It’s free and it’s for everyone.

“I think if educators, entertainers, and the technicians of the world, and the artists of the world, come together... and the scientific solutions, that’s what we need. But we can not do that... unless we have this conversation that we are having rights now, and unless we expand on this conversation and keep it alive all the time.” ~ Deepak Chopra

“Impossible is just a word for something that hasn’t happened yet.” “I think if educators, entertainers, and the technicians of the world, and the artists of the world, come together… and the scientific solutions, that’s what we need. But we can not do that… unless we have this conversation that we are having rights now, and unless we expand on this conversation and keep it alive all the time.” ~ Deepak Chopra Source: Facebook/DeepakChopra

“Impossible is just a word for something that hasn’t happened yet.”

“I think if educators, entertainers, and the technicians of the world, and the artists of the world, come together… and the scientific solutions, that’s what we need.

But we can not do that… unless we have this conversation that we are having rights now, and unless we expand on this conversation and keep it alive all the time.”

“Impossible is just a word for something that hasn’t happened yet. ~ Deepak Chopra

“We call it the environment, but this is recycling as your body. Those rivers are recycling as your circulation. The air is your breath. The trees are your lungs.” ~ Deepak Chopra

Chopra is one of many speakers at the Climate Solutions Summit 2019 “We call it the environment, but this is recycling as your body. Those rivers are recycling as your circulation. The air is your breath. The trees are your lungs.” ~ Deepak Chopra Source: Facebook/DeepakChopra

What is The Climate Solutions Summit? (27-30 June, 2019)

It’s a FREE online summit, exploring solutions to the climate crisis from all angles and embracing the power of optimism.

The 2019 Climate Solutions Summit presents the most promising solutions to reverse global warming. The 4-day online even features groundbreaking innovation by leading entrepreneurs and scientists.

The Climate Solutions Summit aims to shift the debate about global heating from doom to solutions. The organisers say they are not closing their eyes to the dangers climate changes poses for the future of humanity. 

They are focusing on solutions because pessimism about global heating does not make anyone more effective. The only thing they can do now is enthusiastically work on the many solutions that are available.

In the process, they may discover the climate crisis could very well be the greatest ever opportunity for innovation and economic development.

For a long time, many of us have tirelessly worked for a cleaner, healthier and more just and sustainable planet. The challenge to reverse global heating could be the catalyst event on our joint journey to a better world.

Chopra is just one of many interviews with high-profile figures, scientists, entrepreneurs and more. The series will be available to watch on demand at their website after the event.

This article was first published on BrightVibes on 27 June 2019.

Make an Impact

10 reasons to protect forests and plant many more

Life Terra is a foundation with a mission to enable people to take impactful climate action now by facilitating tree planting, educating future generations, and developing tree monitoring technology.