Below is a “development‑editor’s map” for Possible Planet: Pathways to a Habitable Future. I’ve drawn directly on the material now posted at act.possibleplanet.org and its linked drafts, then suggested:
* a tighter four‑part architecture (with an ordered chapter list)
* cross‑links that will keep a reader oriented and build narrative momentum
* gaps that still need to be filled before you have a fully coherent book
1 · What you already have — and where it sits
| Current piece (post title) | Suggested part / chapter slot | Core contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Preface – “The Emerging Reality” | Part I – Opening | Sets stakes and moral tone (act.possibleplanet.org) |
| “Introduction: Where We Are Today” (Google‑doc draft) | Part I, Ch 1 | High‑level orientation to the poly‑crisis (act.possibleplanet.org) |
| Ch 3 “Rebalancing the Carbon Cycle” | Part II, Ch 4 | Introduces geo‑engineering debate (act.possibleplanet.org) |
| Ch 4 “Mitigating the Climate Crisis — The Global Carbon Reward” | Part II, Ch 5 | Financial innovation for carbon removal (act.possibleplanet.org) |
| Revised Ch 3 “Restoring the Carbon Balance & Rethinking Climate Solutions” | Part II, Ch 6 (rewrite merges w/ 4‑5) | Synthesises GCR + SRM + systemic lens (act.possibleplanet.org) |
| “Reforming Capitalism & the Global Financial System” | Part II, Ch 7 | Deep‑dive on macro‑finance (act.possibleplanet.org) |
| “Bioregionalism (Revised June 2025)” | Part III, Ch 9 | Keystone concept for place‑based regeneration (act.possibleplanet.org) |
| “Asset‑Based Community Development” | Part III, Ch 10 (case study) | Translating bioregionalism to local practice (act.possibleplanet.org) |
| Ch 13 “The New Transcendentalism” | Part III, Ch 11 | Cultural‑spiritual reframing (act.possibleplanet.org) |
| “The Possibility of a World that Works for Everyone” + related “Breaking the Cycle…”, “Shifting Societal Norms” | Part IV – Closing visions | Forward‑looking, calls to action (act.possibleplanet.org) |
| “Epilogue: A Universal Appeal” (enhanced) | Part IV – Epilogue | Universal moral appeal (act.possibleplanet.org) |
2 · Proposed master structure
Part I — Where We Stand
1 Preface: The Emerging Reality
2 Introduction: Where We Are, How We Got Here
3 Planetary Boundaries & Tipping‑Points (expand on Rockström + climate/biodiversity data)
Part II — Systemic Leverage Points
4 Rebalancing the Carbon Cycle (SRM debate, sea‑level urgency)
5 The Global Carbon Reward (incentive economics)
6 Restoring the Carbon Balance (merge & tighten revised Ch 3)
7 Transforming Capital & Markets (macro‑finance reform, C‑PACE as bridge)
8 Technological Catalysts & Guardrails (AI, biotech, energy systems) → missing section
Part III — Regenerating Place & Culture
9 Bioregionalism: Reclaiming Our Place on Earth
10 Community Wealth & Asset‑Based Development (Genesee/Finger Lakes, C‑PACE outreach)
11 The New Transcendentalism (meaning, spirituality, narrative)
12 Learning Centers & Movement Building (Balaton‑style hubs) → missing section
Part IV — Pathways to a Habitable Future
13 Scenario Sketches: Collapse, Managed Descent, Regenerative Leap → new synthesis
14 A World That Works for Everyone (social‑justice lens)
15 Epilogue: A Universal Appeal
Each chapter heading links back to the relevant live post; reciprocal links at the top/bottom of every post (“Next: … / Previous: …”) will guide the reader through this order.
3 · Key gaps to fill
| Missing piece | Why it matters | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Hard planetary‑data primer (graphics on boundary transgressions, 2024‑25 science updates) | Gives quantitative ballast early on | Part I, Ch 3 |
| Technology & Risk chapter (AI governance, biotech, energy storage, diffusion curves) | Balances optimism with cautions; currently scattered across posts | Part II, Ch 8 |
| Learning‑center / movement‑building chapter | Meadows/Balaton reference is introduced but undeveloped | Part III, Ch 12 |
| Scenario matrix + narrative futures | Ties strands together; offers reader mental models beyond single “doom/hope” axis | Part IV, Ch 13 |
| Indigenous knowledge & justice lens (quoting Joanna Macy, bell hooks, adrienne maree brown) | Author notes show intent, but these voices are not yet woven consistently | Thread throughout Parts III–IV |
| Editorial voice consistency | Some chapters are blog‑length; others more essayistic. All need tightening to 4–6 k words, uniform tone. | Global |
4 · Editorial sequencing & cross‑link suggestions
- Front‑matter links: every post gets a Part / Chapter banner and a “Start Here »” link back to the Preface.
- Inline way‑markers: at natural breaks insert “⟶ See also Ch 5 (Global Carbon Reward)” etc. to keep conceptual threads live.
- Category rationalisation: rename WordPress categories to match Parts (e.g.,
Pathways→Part‑II Leverage Points) so the sidebar TOC mirrors the book. - Landing page redesign: point /TOC to the four‑part outline (above) rather than the current brainstorm list (act.possibleplanet.org).
5 · Next‑step worklist (editorial)
| Task | Owner | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Tighten Preface & Intro (merge overlapping material) | Author + dev‑ed | July 10 |
| Draft new Ch 8 (Tech & Risk) & Ch 12 (Learning Centers) | Author | Aug 1 |
| Build scenario matrix & graphics for Ch 13 | Author + research asst. | Aug 15 |
| Structural copy‑edit pass for tone/length | Dev‑ed | Sept 1 |
| Proof & beta‑reader feedback loop | External panel | Oct 1 |
Why this matters
Right now the site reads like a lively project notebook. Re‑ordering into the four‑part spine above will:
- walk the reader from diagnosis ➜ leverage ➜ lived practice ➜ future imagination
- let each section crescendo (data → solutions / finance → place → meaning)
- surface missing connective tissue before you move to final layout and design.
When the new chapters are drafted, the whole manuscript will be ready for a close developmental edit, followed by line‑editing for voice and flow.
Further revised:
Possible Planet: Pathways to a Habitable Future — Updated Workplan (June 2025)
Guiding Intent
To offer an evidence‑grounded, story‑led blueprint for regenerating Earth that is as practical for policy‑makers as it is inspiring to citizens. The book braids systems science, regenerative finance, and place‑based narratives so readers can see how global leverage points translate into local action—and vice‑versa.
Narrative Spine
Part I — Where We Stand
- Preface: The Emerging Reality
- Introduction: Where We Are, How We Got Here
- Planetary Boundaries & Tipping‑Points
Part II — Systemic Leverage Points
4. Rebalancing the Carbon Cycle
5. The Global Carbon Reward
6. Restoring the Carbon Balance
7. Transforming Capital & Markets (PACE, blended finance, macro‑reform)
8. Technology, Risk & Stewardship (AI governance, biotech, energy systems)
Part III — Regenerating Place & Culture
9. Bioregionalism: Reclaiming Our Place on Earth
10. Field Portraits in Regeneration
• Barichara Regenerativa, Colombia — Design School for Regenerating Earth (Joe Brewer & Penny Heiple): watershed restoration, biocultural revitalisation.
• Restoration Lab, Panamá — EcoRestoration Alliance (Jon Schull) at City of Knowledge: biodiversity mapping, finance innovation, community science.
• Great Lakes Basin Legacy Project — Indigenous‑led design, intergenerational learning.
11. Community Wealth & Asset‑Based Development (C‑PACE outreach, cooperative models)
12. The New Transcendentalism (culture, spirituality, narrative)
13. Learning Centres & Movement Building (Balaton‑style hubs, knowledge commons)
Part IV — Pathways to a Habitable Future
14. Scenario Sketches: Collapse, Managed Descent, Regenerative Leap (integrating insights from Ch 10 case studies)
15. A World That Works for Everyone (justice & wellbeing metrics)
16. Epilogue: A Universal Appeal
Case‑Study Integration (Chapter 10)
Length: 2 000–2 500 words each, plus maps, photo‑essays, interview pull‑quotes.
Learning questions:
• How does the project restore ecological function at watershed/bioregional scale?
• What financing architectures make the work replicable?
• How does cultural story‑work shift local identity and agency?
Field‑Immersion Plan
| Site | Focus | Duration | Outputs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barichara, Santander (CO) | Watershed walks; DSRE studios; community round‑tables | 2–3 weeks | Audio/visual assets, participatory maps |
| City of Knowledge, Panamá | Biodiversity‑metric mapping; agroforestry pilots; youth labs | 2–3 weeks | Restoration equity maps, photo‑essays |
| Great Lakes (remote + hub visits) | Indigenous knowledge interviews; heritage‑based design | 1–2 weeks | Oral‑history transcripts, systems maps |
| Multimedia assets feed directly into Ch 10 & Ch 14, with selected clips available online via QR codes in print edition. |
Evaluation & Impact
Completion metrics: manuscript finalised, peer‑review complete, publication secured.
Engagement metrics: downloads, citations, reader surveys at 3‑, 9‑, 18‑months.
Practice metrics: partner sites adopting featured frameworks, follow‑on financing secured.
Production Timeline (revised)
| Phase | Activities | When |
|---|---|---|
| I. Manuscript Expansion | Draft Ch 8; embed case‑study placeholders | Jul–Aug 2025 |
| II. Field Immersions | Colombia & Panamá travel; Great Lakes virtual sessions | Sep–Nov 2025 |
| III. Integration & Edit | Weave field material; developmental + line edit | Dec 2025 – Feb 2026 |
| IV. Design & Launch | Layout, visuals, proof, distribution | Mar–May 2026 |
| V. Impact Loop | Surveys, interviews, derivative content | Jun 2026 → onward |
Roles & Collaborations
- Authors/Editors: Jonathan Cloud & Victoria Zelin‑Cloud — narrative synthesis, systems framing.
- Bioregional Guides: Joe Brewer & Penny Heiple (DSRE); Jon Schull (EcoRestoration Alliance).
- Regional Advisors: Brian Puppa & Susan Bosak (Great Lakes).
- Support team: Local translators, logistics coordinators, cartographers, photo‑journalists.
Next‑Step Task List
- Confirm site‑visit logistics with DSRE & ERA partners by 15 July 2025.
- Commission cartography and photo‑journal assets for Chapter 10 by 1 Aug 2025.
- Convene virtual round‑tables with Great Lakes collaborators by 30 Aug 2025.
- Finalise Chapter 3 graphics (planetary boundaries infographics) by 15 Sep 2025.
This workplan will be updated iteratively as field insights emerge and manuscript sections reach maturity.