Picture of Lou Leonard

Lou Leonard

Lou is co-founder and principal advisor of One Earth Sangha. He is a life-long environmentalist who has worked to advance laws, policies and practices that promote care for the Earth and the people and communities that call it home. Lou discovered the dharma as part of his search for balance and support in the face of the difficult emotions that arise as we dedicate ourselves to healing the world and promoting social change. He’s worked in government, civil society, academia, and the private sector, including serving as Senior Vice President at World Wildlife Fund where he led the climate change program for over a decade. Lou currently serves as Dean of the Falk School of Sustainability & Environment at Chatham University supporting students of all ages who are training to advance climate and food justice. Lou is deeply grateful for the refuge he has found in the dharma and the teachers who have helped him find it.
EcoDharma
EcoDharma

Reflections on the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza

We invite you to join us in the practices of clear-seeing and compassion around these devastating events.
EcoDharma
EcoDharma

Fire's Potential for Destruction and Creation

What can we learn from the wildfires that rage around the world—whose season seems to lengthen with each passing year?
EcoDharma
EcoDharma

Reflections on a Still-Unfolding Legacy

In this talk from April 2020, One Earth Sangha co-founder Lou Leonard explored the lessons we might draw from Earth Day's history.
EcoDharma
EcoDharma

An Interview with Lou Leonard

How can we find our own agency in the midst of international decision-making processes that so often feel remote and disheartening?
EcoDharma
EcoDharma
Kritee (Kanko) and Lou Leonard explore what it means to be a climate activist in secular civil society while walking the Buddhist wisdom path.
Campaign
Campaign
In the wake of the violence in Paris, the focus of mobilization is shifting to solidarity events and practices around the world. Lou Leonard offers here an update on those events and the ways you and your community can get involved.
EcoDharma
EcoDharma

A View on Global Climate Policy

All around us, all the time, change happens. But some moments feel bigger than others. 2015 is shaping up to be filled with those kinds of moments. One Earth Sangha's Lou Leonard offers an update on the big changes underway, as well as how the Dharma helps him stay balanced through it all.
Campaign
Campaign
For one hour, use your power to change the world. Climate change is the great teacher of our interdependence, with each other and Earth. Open to this wonder by turning off your lights for one Earth Hour tonight at 8:30 pm, wherever you are.
EcoDharma
EcoDharma
“Things are getting worse and worse and better and better, faster and faster.” At no time has this climate koan felt more apt than now. One Earth Sangha's Lou Leonard offers this update on climate science and policy. What a great invitation to be with uncertainty.
EcoDharma
EcoDharma
The entire system of life around us is acting on the truth of climate change, even sooner than watchful scientists expected. Now it’s our turn.