I came across this episode's guest through her inclusion in the Grist 50 list of 50 climate leaders driving fresh solutions to our planet’s biggest problems for 2023.

Lylianna Allala is the first ever Climate Justice Director for the City of Seattle, Washington's Office of Sustainability and Environment. As you'll hear, her role is varied but founded on engaging a wide variety of communities including fellow policy makers around the world on issues of environmental and climate justice.

Prior to this role, Lylianna worked for Washington congresswoman Pramila Jayapal leading on climate and environmental policy and outreach, and worked directly in ecology on projects including restoring the West Duwamish Greenbelt, Seattle’s largest contiguous forest.

Lylianna's diverse experience led to what I think is a really interesting conversation about her role for the City of Seattle, how her relationship with nature guides and informs her work in community engagement, and how slowing down might be the key to effectively fighting the climate crisis.

There are a handful of recommended resources at the end of the episode that are linked in the show notes. I also included a link to a podcast project Lylianna helped lead that examined the question - What would it look like, within the next 50 years, for Seattle to become a place where both trees and humans grow old? It is a fascinating listen and hope you check it out after this episode.

Links

adrienne maree brown's "Emergent Strategy" - https://adriennemareebrown.net/book/emergent-strategy/

Dr. Robert Bullard - https://drrobertbullard.com

Ross Gay - https://www.rossgay.net

Growing Old podcast - https://growingoldproject.com