Nando: Deep Adaptation, Impermanence, and Facing Death with Equanimity.

Fernando Garcia Ferreiro — “Nando” — left a world-class job to become a seeker after truth, or what he calls an “experienced beginner.” In the face of collapse, Nando is remaking himself in a new life, closer to the Earth.

Nando worked for 33 years for the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union. When he retired in 2018, he was the Director of Health and Well-Being, responsible for 45,000 people. Now, among other things, he facilitates Deep Relating sessions as a guide for the Deep Adaptation Forum.

Nando’s native language is Spanish, but he is erudite in English and French. He peppers his conversation with references to the influential figures of Collapsology, Transition Towns, The Work That Reconnects, and other important branches of the “collapse-aware” community. Here are links to the people and titles Nando refers to in our conversation:

• • How Everything Can Collapse, (Comment tout peut s’effondrer), by Pablo Servigne and Raphaël Stevens, 2015; English translation, 2020.
  • Guy McPherson: Nature Bats Last.
  • “Jem’s article:” Deep Adaptation: A Map for Navigating Climate Tragedy, by Jem Bendell, 2018.
  • Deep Adaptation Forum, Deep Adaptation Facebook Group.
  • Derek Jensen, Bright Green Lies, 2021.
  • Bill Plotkin.
  • Thomas Berry.
  • Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe, by Donald Brownlee and Peter Ward, 2000.
  • The End Is Near! (Yay!), The New York Times, 2009.
  • Rob Hopkins and the Transition Network (formerly Transition Towns).
  • “The Blip:”
  • The Guardian – Climate Change section.
  • The Work That Reconnects, Joanna Macy.
  • Meredith Little, School of Lost Borders.
  • Ernest Becker, Ernest Becker Foundation.
  • Stephen Jenkinson: Orphan Wisdom.
  • Joan Halifax.
  • Joanna Macy and Michael Dowd, To Collapse Well, YouTube, 2021.