Featuring Neal Spackman, Founder and CEO of Regenerative Resources Co. and globally recognized pioneer in ecological restoration and sustainable design. Through his work, Neal showcases the power of nature-based regenerative practices to restore ecosystems, revitalize economies and build cultural and environmental resilience.

We discuss Neal’s groundbreaking Al Baydha Project, a prime example of regeneration in action. In the heart of the desert, he collaborated with semi-nomadic tribes to turn barren, unproductive land into a thriving ecosystem. By employing techniques such as watershed management, reforestation, and agroforestry, and scalable solutions like check dams and silvopasture systems, the project restored the land, revitalized the local community and reintroduced life to one of the harshest environments on Earth.

Neal’s current project, RAFT (Regenerative Aqua-Forestry Technology), reimagines aquaculture through a circular economy lens. By integrating sustainable shrimp farming with mangrove restoration, RAFT addresses global challenges like habitat loss, food insecurity, and climate change. Spackman discusses how this closed-loop system creates symbiotic relationships between aquaculture and coastal ecosystems, restoring biodiversity, improving water quality, and sequestering carbon—all while producing economic value.

At the heart of Spackman’s work is the concept of regenerative systems, going beyond conservation to rebuild the relationship between people and planet. His projects illustrate the profound potential of working with natural processes to align human and ecological interests to foster human well-being along with planetary health.

Resources and links from this episode: https://www.sustainabilitynow.global/2025/01/04/88-sustainable-synergy-where-ecology-meets-economy/ 

Featuring Nedo Bellucci, Phenom Biotech CEO

Join us for a stimulating conversation with Phenom Biotech’s CEO, Nedo Bellucci, as he introduces us to an eco-innovation with potential to shake up agriculture as we know it. With their Energy Potential Technology (EPT), Phenom has crafted a way to boost crop yields and improve livestock health—all without the usual chemicals and costs. Imagine healthier, faster-growing plants and animals powered by natural compounds like citric acid instead of synthetic inputs.   But that’s just the beginning. Nedo reveals how EPT doesn’t just support better farming; it tackles organic waste too. Turning animal waste into high-quality fertilizer with minimal emissions, EPT is redefining what waste management can do for a cleaner planet. Plus, Phenom’s citric acid-based sanitizers are outclassing chlorine and could reshape food safety with natural, powerful disinfection that extends shelf life and neutralizes pathogens.   More than just a cool concept, Bellucci’s vision offers a blueprint for the future: profitable, sustainable, and scientifically savvy. This episode showcases how one company's game-changing technology is poised to reshape our food system, turning bold ideas into actionable, eco-friendly solutions. Join us for an inspiring look at how innovation and nature can work hand-in-hand to create a healthier, more sustainable world.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode are available at https://www.sustainabilitynow.global/2024/12/30/087-green-growth-citric-solutions-and-the-future-of-farming/ 

Featuring Molly Burhans, environmental advocate and Founder of GoodLands

Imagine harnessing the vast resources of one of the world’s largest landowners to combat climate change and promote social justice. This is precisely the visionary work of Molly Burhans, an American cartographer, data scientist, and environmental activist who is transforming how the Catholic Church—and potentially other major landholders—responds to our planet’s most pressing sustainability challenges.

At just 26, Molly founded GoodLands, an organization dedicated to mobilizing the Church’s extensive landholdings for ecological conservation and community benefit.She spearheaded the creation of the first unified digital global map of the Catholic Church, a groundbreaking project unveiled at the Vatican in 2016, which revealed the immense potential for environmental stewardship embedded within the Church’s properties—estimated to exceed the combined size of France and Spain.

Molly’s innovative use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology has not only illuminated the Church’s carbon footprint and conservation opportunities but also set the stage for strategic, mission-aligned land use on a global scale. Her extraordinary contributions have earned her numerous accolades including: being named a United Nations Young Champion of the Earth, an Ashoka Fellow, National Geographic Emerging Explorer, Sierra Club Earth Care Laureate, one of Encyclopædia Britannica’s “20 Under 40 Shapers of the Future” and many more.

In addition to a Master’s in Ecological Design from the Conway School and her work on projects, advocacy, and creative initiatives, Molly is an adjunct professor of Urban Design at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation.

With a deep personal commitment to her faith, Molly embodies a new generation of leaders who are leveraging technology, data, and visionary thinking to create sustainable solutions.Today, she stands at the intersection of ecology, technology, and spirituality, demonstrating how innovative approaches to land management can have profound implications for environmental sustainability and social justice worldwide.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Roland Vandermeer, Executive Chairman of UpTerra, an ag-tech company pioneering the future of farming by combining ancient principles with cutting-edge science.

With over 15 years of experience in sustainable investments across water, agriculture, and energy, Roland shares how UpTerra is introducing a groundbreaking approach to farm wellness through structured water and energetic frequencies.

UpTerra’s innovative three-part system begins by transforming farm irrigation water into structured water, which is more hydrating and energizing for both crops and livestock. The second phase infuses this water with targeted frequencies to boost plant and animal vitality, while the final step introduces remote digital amendments that enhance farm health and deter pests. These technologies have been tested and validated, showing remarkable improvements in plant and animal resilience, crop yield, soil health, water retention, and pest management.

With insights into the energetic foundations of our universe, this episode explores a future where technology and nature harmoniously collaborate for sustainable agriculture. Discover how this visionary technology is reshaping our relationship with nature—and perhaps, our understanding of reality itself.

Founder and Executive Director of Better Giving, Chauncey St. John’s innovative platform is transforming the nonprofit landscape. With a free, all-in-one solution for fundraising, savings, and investment, Better Giving is helping nonprofits globally to streamline their operations and enhance financial sustainability. With more than $6 million raised for over 180 nonprofits, Chauncey shares how Better Giving is reducing administrative burdens and enabling organizations of all sizes to thrive.

Better Giving's model, allows nonprofits to accept donations in multiple forms—from traditional payments to cryptocurrency and stock donations—opening doors to a broader range of affluent donors. The platform’s approach also democratizes access to high-yield savings and managed investment funds, creating a long-term financial strategy for organizations. By providing a seamless, no-cost fundraising service, Better Giving empowers even the smallest nonprofits to compete on a global stage.

Chauncey shares insights into the importance of financial self-sufficiency for nonprofits and how Better Giving simplifies the traditionally complex world of fund management. He explains the revolutionary potential of allowing nonprofits to grow their funds through investments, thus shifting the typical cycle of constant fundraising into one of strategic financial planning.

As we wrap up, Chauncey reflects on the long-term vision of Better Giving, including the role of blockchain technology and the future possibilities of integrating cryptocurrency donations in ways that could reshape how charities manage and grow their resources. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of innovation, technology, and philanthropy. 

Join us to discover how Better Giving is not just changing the way nonprofits raise money, but how it’s creating a pathway to financial autonomy.

Links and other resources related to this interview: https://www.sustainabilitynow.global/2024/11/09/084-empowering-nonprofits-how-better-giving-is-revolutionizing-financial-sustainability/

#FinancialSustainability #NonprofitInnovation #BetterGiving #podcast #FundraisingSolutions #CryptoDonations #PhilanthropyTech #NonprofitLeadership #FinancialAutonomy #BlockchainForGood #CharitableGiving

With a distinguished 45-year career and over 1,500 presentations and publications, sustainable energy expert Michael Totten delves into the prospects of transitioning into a solar-powered economy utilizing the transformative power of agrivoltaics and digital innovations.

Michael describes how these technologies are revolutionizing farming practices and creating the potential for sustainable, self-sufficient communities. Learn about his pioneering work on tri-level natural farming using solar microgrids, his collaborations with rock bands like Pearl Jam to combat climate change, and the groundbreaking concept of digital twins, a virtual visualization tool to help manage and optimize all manner of production scenarios.

#Agrivoltaics #SustainableFarming #DigitalInnovations #SolarEnergy #RenewableEnergy #SustainableAgriculture #GreenTechnology #DigitalTwins #ClimateChangeSolutions #FutureOfFarming

Join us for an insightful conversation with Chris Marquis, the Sinyi Professor of Management at the University of Cambridge, as we delve into the world of sustainable economics and his latest book, "The Profiteers: How Business Privatizes Profits and Socializes Costs." In this episode, Chris will share how his academic research aims to tackle some of the most pressing crises of our time, including climate change, inequality, and discrimination.

Discover what inspired Chris to write "The Profiteers" and explore the hidden costs of business, known as externalities. Learn how current business models reward companies for transferring these costs to consumers and whether this practice is prevalent in other countries. We will also dive into critical issues such as who bears the burden of carbon emissions, environmental damage, cheap goods, cheap labor, and systemic discrimination. 

Finally, Chris will discuss potential solutions for building a regenerative economy. He will explain the concept of the commons, the role of corporate activism, how governments can contribute, and what individuals can do to make a difference.

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that promises to challenge your views on business and economics while offering actionable insights for creating a more sustainable future.

Links and more resources related to this video: https://www.sustainabilitynow.global/2024/08/10/081-the-profiteers-how-business-privatizes-profits-and-socializes-costs/

#SustainableEconomics #TheProfiteers #ChrisMarquis #BusinessEthics #ClimateAction #CorporateResponsibility #RegenerativeEconomy #SocialImpact #EnvironmentalJustice #EconomicInequality

Agro-ecologist Nathan Lou is Co-founder and Executive Director of San Diego-based Mongol Tribe, a 501C3 providing hands-on education and experiences with traditional and regenerative land management practices.

With local resiliency as his rally cry and food sovereignty as its anthem, Nathan is all about taking back our autonomy, the ability of our communities to grow our own food and medicines with less dependency on external inputs.

We talk about urban food forests and public policy, seed libraries and how to develop them, community building and cultivating connection to the land, even in a city environment.

Links and resources from this episode at https://www.sustainabilitynow.global/2024/03/16/urban-food-forests-seed-libraries-as-food-sovereignty-strategies/ 

#UrbanFoodForests #SeedLibraries #FoodSovereignty #SustainabilityNow #CommunityResilience #RegenerativeAgriculture #LocalFoodSystems #LandStewardship #Agroecology #CommunityBuilding #UrbanAgriculture #FoodJustice #EnvironmentalEducation #PublicPolicy #SeedSaving #UrbanFarming #CommunityEmpowerment #ResilientCommunities #ConnectionToLand #AutonomousFoodProduction

A Sustainability Now interview with Nina Simons, author, speaker, teacher and co-founder of Bioneers

Join us for a thoughtful and visionary conversation with Nina Simons, co-founder of Bioneers and author of the top Nautilus award winning book, Nature, Culture, and the Sacred: A Woman Listens for Leadership. Nina invites us into what she calls “full spectrum leadership;” leadership that reclaims our human wholeness, that values the wisdom of our hearts, our bodies, our intuition, dreamtime and our ancestors.

She calls for regenerating leadership in service to Mother Life in a way that values being as much as doing and is committed to learning how to live in right relationship with nature while reclaiming our fullest human capacities. Throughout her career, spanning the nonprofit, social entrepreneurship, corporate, and philanthropic sectors, Nina has worked with nearly a thousand women leaders across disciplines, race, class, age and orientation to create conditions for mutual learning, trust and leadership development.

Additionally, along with her husband and partner Kenny Ausubel, Nina is a recipient of the revered Goi Peace Award for “pioneering work to promote nature-inspired innovations for restoring the Earth and our human community.”

Nina's book: Nature, Culture and the Sacred: A Woman Listens for LeadershipPreview on Bioneers | Buy on Bookshop.org Bioneers website

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