Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/910378
20 wholelifetimes.com CLEAN BAY CERTIFIED RESTAURANTS CLEAN BAY CERTIFIED RESTAURANTS E very so often a person steps up and stands for a cause so precious, with so much clarity, strength, and power, their voice cannot be denied. Among us is such a person in 17-year-old hip-hop artist Xiuhtezcatl Roske-Martinez, an indigenous environmental activist, youth director of Earth Guardians, and international frontline warrior speaker for cli- mate change awareness. In his 3 UN speeches, TED Talks, countless television appearances, and partic- ipation on Obama's Youth Council, Xiuhtezcatl ("Shoe-tez-cat") pro- foundly articulates how the climate change crisis is the defi ning issue of our time. I chatted with him as he was pre- paring to fl y to Germany for the En- vironmental Summit. We discussed how being raised in the Aztec tra- dition by his father and being a de- scendant of the original caretakers of the land, the sacred ways of his people live within him. The deep knowing that we are all indigenous to somewhere — the sacred Earth. We are nature — never separate. Sunny Chayes for Whole Life Times: May I fi rst share with you my deep gratitude for what you've chosen to do with your life and how beautifully you've shared your mu- sic, Aztec/Mexican wisdom, and sa- cred behavior to be such a glowing inspiration for so many? Xiuhtezcatl Martinez: Thank you. I really feel strongly that I am one of many voices. Across my travels I've engaged with so many impassioned of my genera- tion speaking out. I'm doing what I do because I can't stay silent when so much can be done at the same time our government chooses to do so little. The time has come to take action our- selves. Changing things in our homes, community, and going outward from there is the most sustainable way to shift into a friendly, healthy relationship with our Earth. As you know, I and 20 other plaintiffs are suing the Federal Government for vio- lating our inalienable constitutional rights of life, liberty, and property, for failing to take action on climate change. SC: I believe it takes courage to be the frontline warrior that you are. XM: It takes courage to move out of ingrained ideologies for any of us. I've actually had my life threated by the fossil fuel in- dustry, so courage can take many forms. I defi ne courage as be- ing able to look over circumstances we're placed in and be able to fi ght to create the things we want. The biggest challenge we face is shifting humanity's consciousness from not "saving the planet." The planet doesn't need saving. We do. SC: You're a powerful Myth Bust- er. Can you address another area of how shifting our modern worl- dview would allow a more sacred living behavior? XM: The environmental move- ment can seem separate from the rest of the world. It's connected to politics, to human rights, to race relations, food justice, and more. These are all very connected issues. The industries that play a part need to take responsibility, be account- able. Another shift is knowing that there is no longer a place for fossil fuels in this world. Also, young peo- ple should never have to be at the front lines of the problems that pol- iticians and our leaders should be taking care of. I shouldn't be, but hell yeah! I'm not gonna quit! Our generation has a big role to play in delivering a better world. SC: I'm wildly hopeful about your vision. Can you share about the use of modern technology and the part it plays in the global picture? XM: We can develop as a world with technology in busi- ness with corporate profi t and accountability. We can live in balance with the world leaving future generations not only a very wealthy planet, a healthy Earth that can sustain itself and can thrive. It absolutely can be done with dedication and imag- ination. There's a balance with the use of technology. With the development of entertainment and social media platforms, my generation is a little "plugged in" and not experiencing the beauty of nature with their place in it. Again, it's the balance. The modern way combined with the ancient wisdom can, and will, bring something new … Live as if the future matters! Visit https://www.xiuhtezcatl.com. Meet him in LA at Conscious Life Expo. Visit www.consciouslifeexpo.com. By Sunny Chayes Interview with Earth Guardian Xiuhtezcatl Martinez LIVE AS IF THE FUTURE MATTERS yoga & spirit