#030: NASA astrobiologist and author David Grinspoon views humanity in deep time, with plenty of sympathy for our role as caretakers without a set of instructions. He wonders whether we can develop enough self-awareness to see ourselves as a geological force capable of stopping the 6th Mass Extinction we're heading towards?David Grinspoon is an astrobiologist and senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute. He is an adjunct professor of Astrophysical and Planetary Science at the University of Colorado. David is also an accomplished, award-winning author, having published: Venus Revealed (LA Times Book Prize finalist),  Lonely Planets: The Natural Philosophy of Alien Life (2004 Pen Literary Award), Earth in Human Hands (Science Friday's Best Science Books of 2016). To watch a video version of this podcast please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/david-grinspoon-childhoods-end-what-kind-of-planet-changers-do-we-want-to-be-episode-thrityThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce. It also identifies pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs as compared to products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be. But the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing small farms that follow the law. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but are still paying a premium price. The lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Fans!https://www.realorganicproject.org/1000-real-fans/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/