Gaël Giraud, SJ, and Carlo Petrini - A Taste for Change: The Ecological Transition as a Way to Happiness

A Taste for Change provides a new paradigm for developing a sustainable solution for the economy and the food chain. Read on for a Q&A with the authors to learn more!

Can you tell us more about the process of obtaining a preface from Pope Francis himself?

Considering our life paths, as soon as we began collaborating on the writing of this book, the idea of requesting a preface from Pope Francis certainly seemed to us the most ambitious but also the most stimulating and opportune possible. On the one hand a Jesuit, with the same theological background as the Holy Father, who is concerned - from an economic and financial point of view - with studying new economic models that are healthier and fairer for people and the environment. On the other hand, a gastronome and sociologist who, while defining himself as agnostic, thanks to the strong correlation between the philosophy of Slow Food and Terra Madre with Francis' encyclicals “Laudato Si'” (for which Petrini wrote the preface for the San Paolo edition - 2015) and “Fratelli tutti”, has built over the last 10 years a true friendship with Bergoglio. In addition, it should also be said that at the international level, Pope Francis represents the only voice that speaks with clarity and conviction on issues concerning the environmental crisis, war and all the suffering that these disasters generate at the social level. In short, the hope was to be able to submit to the Pope this work of ours in which we argue that a paradigm shift is not only possible, but is to be considered as an act of liberation that aims at the happiness of all. To be honest, we did not foresee a “plan B,” certainly, however, we did not expect a 7-page preface either, which was full of meaning and was able to embellish the whole work.

Giraud and Petrini have “different backgrounds, biographies, and life trajectories.” Despite these differences, why do you think you were able to collaborate so successfully on this piece?

We met at a conference in Italy. Right away it seemed very interesting to us that, starting from different paths and with very different studies and backgrounds, we always came to the same conclusions. Our collaboration is also meant to signify that a new paradigm must be able to affect everyone. Everyone must become an agent of change, because only by joining forces and transcending any diversity (of religion, ethnicity, political belief, age, gender, etc.) will it be possible to reverse course, break out of the cage of neoliberalism and thus build a healthier future for the Earth and those who inhabit it. This is the first message we want to give.

What does it mean for readers to fill their hearts with justice? What do you hope the impact of this book is?

The imbalances on which our societies are founded are increasingly drastic and unacceptable. Those who pollute the least are the first to suffer the disastrous effects of climate change. Within individual countries we can find diseases brought on by hyper nutrition, very high levels of food waste and, at the same time, starvation deaths. The days in which we live ask everyone to pursue the path of justice. As Pope Francis says, everything is connected. Our hope is that readers can understand that charting a new path (that of Ecological Transition) is a liberating act for all. Although some effort will be required in some cases to unhinge the obsolete model based solely on profit, this book is aimed at pointing out that there are already solutions that make small arrangements of great impact. Let us remember that no one has made major changes, even within his or her own life, with a thin skin. Change is possible and should be experienced with joy. Each of us can become an agent of change right now.