About Climate Compassion
Climate Compassion is based on widening circles of compassion: for ourselves, for all human and non-human beings, and extending out to include our ancestors and future generations.
We emphasize compassionate action and wise leadership in response to our planetary crises grounded in the inner work of awakening and healing. Awakening is the recognition of our non-separateness and interbeing. Healing is the inner work of self-awareness, psychological wellbeing, recognizing our blinds spots, and working through conflict and relationship challenges as an opportunity for transformation.
We support individuals and organizations through workshops, trainings and 1:1 sessions, as well as the occasional community partner collaboration.
About Lisa Ferguson, Ph. D.
Hello, and welcome!
I founded Climate Compassion in 2015 to bring a compassionate and wise approach to action in our time of polycrisis. I started just before the Paris Climate conference (COP21 in 2015) hosting visionaries and leaders to share transformative paradigms and practices in response to climate breakdown, injustice, and more. You can see some of these outstanding leaders and organizations below.
Over time Climate Compassion evolved to emphasize more of the psychological and spiritual aspects of our response. A foundation of our work is recognizing that no one needs to be changed or fixed, and yet we can attend to suffering and harm, both inner and outer. Attending to wellbeing is not only an important aspect of inner-directed compassion, it also contributes to our effectiveness in responding to suffering in the world. Our workshops, trainings, and 1:1 work are all intended to emphasize inner and outer wellbeing, awakening and skillful action.
Currently emerging in my work is Engaged Nonduality, an integration of awakening and action, and a continuing inquiry of how we may respond in alignment with the recognition that while we take unique forms, there truly is no “other.”
I hold a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology, with years of supporting change agents, professionals, and activists working in climate justice and related fields of social and global transformation. With decades of experience in contemplative and psychospiritual approaches to wellbeing and awakening, I weave somatic and trauma-informed approaches, parts work, interpersonal neurobiology, contemplative practices and more. I am a certified Leadership Embodiment coach, trained in Permaculture, a Radiant Heart qigong teacher, community organizer and healing arts practitioner.
Scroll Through a Sampling of Past Community Events
Connecting community members with visionary paradigms and practical actions.
These are a few favorite events featuring speakers that have had a transformative effect on the way we think, live and imagine.
Community Solutions
We invited visionaries working at the edge of our radical imagination to inspire us with inspiring new pathways to energy democracy, solving the housing crisis, disability rights, and local food and sacred place.
Reimagine Home:East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative (EBPREC) as a Cooperative Solution to the Housing Crisis with Noni Session, Co-Founder of EBPREC
Energy Democracy with Crystal Huang, co-founder People Power Solar Cooperative and OAKTree (Oakland Thermal Renewable Energy and Electrification)
Climate Change Adaptation: Social Justice and People with Disabilities with Alex Ghenis, Policy & Research Specialist at the World Institute on Disability (WID)
“Hack Days” for Freedom Farmer’s Market Oakland and Save the West Berkeley Shellmound
Systems Thinking, Systemic Solutions
Systemic problems can only be addressed with systemic thinking and solutions. In these enlivening events we had our minds expanded with possibilities and embodied the experience of systemic cognition and action.
Systemic Problems, Systemic Solutions with Fritjof Capra
Trajectories to Our Future with Jeremy Lent, Author of The Patterning Instinct and The Web of Meaning
A Systems Approach to Our Current Crises (+ Warm Data Lab) with Nora Bateson
Enlivenment & The Biology of Wonder with Andreas Weber, co-author of The Enlivenment Manifesto and philosopher/independent scholar and writer
Indigenous Rights, Wisdom and Coalition-Building
Each of these speakers embodies wise leadership in service to mutual flourishing. Indigenous, place-based communities and leaders hold important wisdom for our times. In coalitions and collaborations with environmental groups, they create an “unstoppable movement” for the healing and flourishing of our world.
The Unstoppable Movement: A Coalition of Indigenous Leaders and Environmental Groups Keeping Carbon in the Ground with Atossa Soltani, Founder of Amazon Watch
On The Rights of Women, Indigenous Peoples, Nature, and Future Generations: Reflections from COP21 And Going Forward with Osprey Orielle Lake, Founder of WECAN
Achieving Environmental Justice in Latin America with Monti Aguirre (International Rivers) and Anna Cederstav (AIDA)
Protect Indigenous Lands with Corrina Gould, co-founder of Segorea Te’ Land Trust
Regeneration in Response to Climate Change
Another world is possible. From the science of drawdown, to the vision and practicalities of a regenerative economy, we explored innovative approaches from women’s rights as a critical climate healing lever to how our clothes and approach to agriculture can move us toward a world that works for us all.
Project Drawdown: A Plan to Reverse Global Warming with lead architect and Chad Frischman and co-visionary Amanda Joy Ravenhill
The Regenerative Economy in the Era of Climate Change with Kevin Bayuk, co-founder of LIFT Economy
Clothes, Carbon and Climate Justice with Rebecca Burgess of Fibershed
How Land-based Solutions Can Draw Down Carbon with Calla Rose Ostrander