Why Can't We Be More Like Trees?: The Ancient Masters of Cooperation, Kindness, and Healing

by Judith Polich

Reveals how we can learn from the intelligent communities of trees and plants

• Shares breakthrough research on how tree and plant communities function, revealing a holistic, interconnected, communal, and sentient new world

• Examines the attributes we share with trees and plants and how the behaviors of altruism, cooperation, and community are genetically coded in our beings

• Looks at how to learn to see, think, imagine, and live with holistic eco-centric awareness and the benefits that come from working with our plant allies

Breakthrough research is not only revealing a brilliant green world with amazing attributes like dispersed intelligence but also that humanity, like the tree and plant kingdom, thrives on innate cooperation, sharing, altruism, and community.

Breakthrough research is not only revealing a brilliant green world with amazing attributes like dispersed intelligence but also that humanity, like the tree and plant kingdom, thrives on innate cooperation, sharing, altruism, and community.

Exploring the latest cutting-edge environmental and ecological studies, climate advisor and environmental advocate Judith Polich explains how we can now see how tree and plant communities function, revealing a holistic, interconnected, communal, and seemingly sentient new world. She explains how trees communicate, how they share resources, and other ways in which they express holistic and cooperative behaviors.

Looking at the new scientific understanding of the evolutionary basis of altruism, cooperation, and community—and how these behaviors are genetically coded in our beings—the author examines the attributes we share with trees and other plant communities. She explores the healing powers offered by the plant kingdom, not just as medicines but through shared sentience that can help heal our sense of dissociation and disenchantment. Revealing how to see, think, imagine, and live with holistic eco-centric awareness, the author discusses how the stories we tell ourselves and our spiritual belief systems are becoming greener, including a resurgence of beliefs that originated with plant teachers. She also explores how to overcome our current cognitive biases through greater interaction with plant intelligence.

By viewing the world through a greener lens, not only can we reframe and unravel the deeper causes of the climate crisis, but we can also help co-create a new more conscious world with our plant allies.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2023

About the author

Judith Polich is a lawyer, an environmentalist, a wetlands advocate, and an advisor to New Mexico state parks on climate change resilience and mitigation. She holds a master of science degree in environmental studies and environmental education from the University of Wisconsin.

Judith is a climate change columnist for the Albuquerque Journal; her column is entitled Cutting Your Carbon Footprint, and is intended to help individuals and families make informed decisions that can help reduce the impact of climate change.

In November 2023, Judith’s latest book will be released, entitled Why Can’t We Be More Like Trees. It details the new and emerging narratives that will help reframe and unravel the deeper causes of the climate crisis, and will also help co-create a new and more conscious world. She is also the author of a book on the mythology of the Inca and Maya called Return of the Children of Light.

Reviews

[Tanya McClaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cry to come back climate change. If you weren’t a tree hugger before you read this book you either will be by the end, or you will have quit the book at half time. For those persist to the end are reminded, ‘We are innovated species, but this task is not just the equivalent of a moonshot or world war. Those concepts need some reframing. There’s no enemy to fight; the enemy is nothing more than our bad habits and the consequences of decisions and policies that were based on false information and false narratives, fueled by corruption and ignorance. But it will be a race and already is between countries, companies, innovators, finance years, and all types of types of creative forces competing to figure this out and get it right. This is where our species singular brilliance will be put to test because singular brilliant brilliance will not be enough. We need to Garner, our collective multidimensional brilliance and let it shine within a deeper understanding of holistic interactive systems and network networks that acknowledge and respect all living systems. We are up to this task. It is a painful, challenging and exciting time to be alive. We can do this. We can get it right. We just need to wake up and fully engage.’ 📚PLANT TREES 🌳🌲🌴

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and meditative. Paints a bleak picture, but gives hope that a new paradigm is emerging. Highly recommended reading for people who care about the environment (everyone?). Well done, Judith!

[M Forsythe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started skeptical, as Ive been trying to read native authors when it comes to the natural world and "ancient masters", but I am really glad I gave it a chance. I really ended up loving this book. the author's passion and thorough research is evident throughout the novel pulling on both western scientific evidence and indigenous learnings in a respectful way. I felt like I learned not only so much about trees and plants but about the evolution and alienation of our own species. I learned so much about the map nature has provided us for forming community. She takes a hopeful perspective about how we as humans can learn from nature and repair our relationship, even calling out some of the wrong ways weve tried to do so (like companies planting #s of trees but not nurturing their growth/following up!!!) which I really appreciated. Overall this book left me feeling even more in awe of each tree I pass.