Episode Links:

Previous We Are Carbon episodes that include the climate benefits of grazing animals:

• The Significance of Regenerative Agriculture – Special Compilation
• We Can Regenerate – with Finian Makepeace of Kiss the Ground
• What is Regenerative Agriculture – with Caroline Grindrod of Roots of Nature

Recommendations from Richard-

To Watch:

• King Corn documentary
• Kiss the Ground Movie (available on Netflix)
• Carbon Cowboys
• Temple Grandin Movie (Staring Claire Danes)

Books:

• Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World by Katherine Heyhoe
• Steak by Mark Shatzker
• The Dorito Effect by Mark Shatzker

This Episode of the website: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/podcast-episode/scaling-regenerative-agriculture-grass-fed-beef/

[Find all the above as clickable links on this page].

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In this interview I’m joined by Richard Tufton who helps us to mull over the challenges and what might be needed to scale up regenerative meats within the supply chains to supermarkets, and build greater public awareness about purchasing options.

We’ve frequently heard about the role of ruminant animals in the healing of land and sequestering of carbon – Find links above to previous episodes that explain that in more detail.

But with such huge numbers of livestock being raised in more industrialised feedlot systems, the narrative gets very muddied, with cattle frequently branded as the climate enemy.

Richard shares that in the US alone 120,000 head of cattle are slaughtered everyday for meat production. That sounds horrifying, but it’s a reality, it’s where we’re at and it’s a huge contribution to our food system.

So this is a complex conversation and it could be taken in many directions but our biggest focus in this discussion is that only a tiny, tiny percentage of those animals are regeneratively raised.

Producing cattle in systems that are healing to the land is also proving to be hugely beneficial to the farmers who adopt those approaches, but there are big barriers to shifting things in that direction at scale.

Whatever your views on meat I think it’s a conversation that everyone can take interest in because, as Richard concludes, ultimately it’s the consumer who has the power to change the system.

He bring us insights from a career hands on within the meat supply chain first within his home country – the UK, and in more recent years as chief sustainability officer for one of the largest suppliers of natural and organic meats going into the US supermarket system.

He helps us to consider what might need to be done to provide purchasers with both the convenience and the understanding to make choices that could really scale things up for regeneration.

The most available path might be for each of us to take an interest and build our knowledge, so Richard shares some great additional resources for you to take a look at after you’ve listened – you’ll find the links above.

Episode Links:

HarvestCare website: https://www.harvestcare.eu/

Coalition of Health Professionals for Regenerative Agriculture: https://www.regenerativehealthcoalition.com/

This Episode on the We Are Carbon website: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/podcast-episode/nutrition-motivation-for-regeneration/

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In this interview I'm joined by Zuzanna Zielinska, founder of HarvestCare to discuss the role of nutrition as a key link between the health of people and planet. 

It's difficult to talk about a regenerative future without bringing the focus on to soil, though a topic I feel gets vastly overlooked is the nutrition that that soil can output.

What better motivation do we have for becoming engaged with the health of the world around us, than the impact that it has on our own personal wellbeing?

If we could really get a grasp of the significance that quality nutrition has upon our health and happiness then valuing the biodiversity and food production methods that make it all possible may be a chain reaction.

It's a pretty big topic, so I asked Zuzanna to take us back to basics and offer a break down of what nutrition is and its importance from her perspective as a nutritionist.

Then we dig deeper as she shares her inspirational story and drive to create systems change through the seemingly simple yet powerful role of food access and education as a means to heal disease, communities and ecosystems.

I hope you'll enjoy learning from her valuable knowledge!

This Episode on the We Are Carbon website: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/podcast-episode/nutrition-motivation-for-regeneration/

In this interview I’m joined by John Roulac to consider the big picture of what it means to move forward regeneratively and the challenges of bringing the needs of our financial and natural worlds on to the same page.

There’s so many nuggets of wisdom in this one that it’s difficult to pick a highlight!

From mob grazing to seaweed straws and a follow up to Kiss The Ground, this conversation is tied together through John’s active involvement in a vast range of regenerative initiatives around the globe.

An investor and key player in highly successful companies, John has also been driven by an ecological awareness to discover practical solutions to our environmental challenges and as such has founded six non-profits through his career.

This was a fantastic opportunity therefore to tap into a valuable point of view around why it can be such a challenge for large scale investment to be directed into regenerative solutions.

Is a dying planet enough of a motivation to innovate our financial climate, and are so called green technologies always what they’re cracked up to be?

We learn about some really impactful projects offering healing for people and the environment through the simplicity of allowing nature to take the lead.

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Episode Links:

John's website: https://johnroulac.com/

John's Substack: https://johnroulac.substack.com/

Kiss The Ground Movie: https://kissthegroundmovie.com/

This Episode on the We Are Carbon Website: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/podcast-episode/regenerative-future-todays-sunlight/

Episode Links:

The Harmony Project: https://www.theharmonyproject.org.uk/

This Episode on the We Are Carbon Website: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/podcast-episode/natural-curriculum-harmony-education/

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In this interview I’m joined by Richard Dunne to explore how evolving children’s education could not only offer them better engagement with their learning but also help them make better sense of the world that they’re a part of.

Many of the solutions that we discuss on this show require a bit of unlearning or shifting of the mindset from what we’re used to. So I became really interested in the work of the Harmony Project from the basis of integrating a whole system way of seeing things into children’s education from a very early age.

Perhaps our children could soon be showing us the way forward!

As headteacher in a state primary school and inspired by the book titled ‘Harmony’ by the now King Charles third, Richard began developing and implementing a more Natural curriculum within the National Curriculum.

He’s since founded the Harmony Project and is integrating this approach into a variety of school settings in the UK and across the globe.

I’m delighted to have been able to discuss with him the principles of harmony and the inspirations and challenges of this ambitious project.

Episode Links:

Think Like A Tree: https://www.thinklikeatree.co.uk/

This Episode on the We Are Carbon Website: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/podcast-episode/nature-connection-wellbeing-success/

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In this interview I’m joined by Sarah Spencer for a discussion that considers how our connection to nature can have a profound positive impact throughout all areas of our lives.

It’s easy for us to romanticise the idea of listening to the birds or dipping our toes in a glistening stream, as though experiencing nature might be an infrequent luxury to try and carve time out for.

But this talk helps us to recognise that the role of nature in our lives is far more encompassing, and despite our built up environments and scheduled routines, we all are part of nature.

To such a degree that when we introduce aspects that are inspired by nature or even start to think like nature, then we can enjoy much greater success within everything from our health, our relationships and our businesses.

‘Think Like A Tree’ encompasses Sarah’s work as a trainer and author and draws upon the principles of nature to support people and organisations in a tangible way for meeting their unique needs.

It’s ever evolving and adapting through a growing network of facilitators who are each paving their own path for incorporating a more nature connected approach to a diverse range of situations.

It’s beautiful how these principles can have a place in each of our lives, and I hope you enjoy listening through to consider this all through your own personal lens!

Episode Links:

Global Climate Dollar: https://www.globalclimatedollar.com

This Episode on the We Are Carbon Website: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/podcast-episode/when-money-grows-on-trees-regenerative-currency/

If you have questions or would like to explore Global Climate Dollar further with myself and Michael then please get in touch to join us on an upcoming group call: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/contact/

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In this interview I'm joined by Michael Twist to discuss an intriguing concept for a new digital currency that would more or less allow money to be grown on trees!

Global Climate Dollar uniquely sets out to make the generation of currency accessible and worthwhile for even the very smallest of sites.

From just half an acre to vast expanses of land this currency is designed to reward land management that supports regeneration of soil, biodiversity and watersheds; all of those natural functions of the land that we each depend upon equally.

From that place of inclusion it encompasses so much of what we've identified as necessary for a regenerative future. Moving towards equality for people alongside healing the planet.

Like all ideas, especially one this encompassing, it remains as little more than an idea until people like you and me engage with it.

Michael has spent many years doing the complicated stuff; figuring out and piecing together the legalities and technicalities and it's now time for him to reach out and ask for your help in bringing the idea to life.

Our discussion here helps to give an overview of the motivation behind the currency and a general sense of what it's all about.

If it leaves you with questions or you're intrigued to make your own regenerative project a part of the currency creation then do get in touch as I'll soon be facilitating a group call for Michael to offer a Q&A with you: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/contact/

Episode Links:

Walkers Reserve: http://walkersreserve.com/vision/

The Episode Video: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/podcast-episode/permaculture-for-people-planet/

Call out to stakeholders in a local and / or 'regenerative' food system: Fill out my 'Know Your Food' survey!- https://forms.gle/h9uV841n8BgyCLjZ7

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Through the restoration of a sand quarry in Barbados we learn about the principles of permaculture and how they support the regeneration of land, community and help build a local circular economy.

Spanning over 300 acres Walkers Reserve stretches across low lying coastal land and gradually rises inland to provide opportunity to regenerate a range of habitats.

The site is being transformed from a highly extractive process to a multifaceted project that offers huge potential for biodiversity and healing of both the land and community.

From recontouring and rewilding to establishing food forests, apiaries, dune and wetland restoration, developing an education and research institute and tackling the concerns of food security through involvement with the local community.

And they're addressing all of this on a site based on sand with the coastal challenges of salt and winds.

Charlotte has experience from a range of different project across the globe and so she helps us to understand the general concepts of permaculture alongside some of the more specific learnings and approaches used at Walkers.

Watch a video version of this episode at the website: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/podcast-episode/permaculture-for-people-planet/

Episode Links:

Gaianet: https://www.gaianet.earth/

The Episode Video: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/podcast-episode/gaianet-collaborative-regenerative-economy/

Call out to stakeholders in a local and / or 'regenerative' food system: Fill out my 'Know Your Food' survey!- https://forms.gle/h9uV841n8BgyCLjZ7

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In this episode Daan helps us move our focus out of the soil and our natural environments and put it instead on our societal ecosystems.

What role does our relationship with ourselves and with one another have within moving towards a more regenerative planet?

It seems likely that it's a huge factor.

You don't go far within regenerative discussions without coming across themes of collaboration, community, a desire for a greater sense of transparency and an economic structure that's altogether more equitable.

And those kind of changes can require us to look really deep.

Daan's work is driven by a vision of a more beautiful society that's not only regenerative of the land but of the human spirit and connection too.

Gaianet is a network designed to bring together likeminded organisations to unify and amplify each of their efforts in building this more harmonious society.

We touch on the variety of transformational work that's happening around the world at this time. From new approaches to the internet and finances, to the work that Gaianet is doing itself to support organisations in changing their hierarchy for greater productivity and success.

I hope you enjoy listening to Daan's insights and if you'd like to learn more about the work of Gaianet and their partners, see below:

The following projects were mentioned within the interview:

ThreeFold - Rethinking the internet

Holacracy - Self organisation for business

Encode - Self organising within legal forms

Seeds - Regenerative digital currency

Next Gen Village - Exploring new societal systems in Switzerland

Golden City - Co-cretaing sustainable community

La Tierra - Regenerative village in Costa Rica

Auravana - A standard for operating community at planetary scale.

Find them all and many more on the Gaianet website: www.gaianet.earth/projects

Episode Links:

Tony's Book: https://iscast.org/tfu/

FMNR Hub Website: https://fmnrhub.com.au/

The Episode Video: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/podcast-episode/regenerating-hope-fmnr-tony-rinaudo/

Call out to stakeholders in a local and / or 'regenerative' food system: Fill out my 'Know Your Food' survey!- https://forms.gle/h9uV841n8BgyCLjZ7

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In this episode Tony brings us an inspirational story that underlines the role of human motivation and hope in bringing regeneration to the lands around us.

At a young age Tony was inspired to uproots from his home land of Australia to carry out missionary work in Africa. His efforts to reforest vast areas despite repeated set backs demonstrated how strongly he believed that reversing the destruction of nature was the answer to turning the tide on the devastating struggles and poverty that surrounded him.

The work was hugely challenging with many set backs but things took a complete U-turn when Tony made a discovery that a simple solution had been laying there the whole time.

This discovery led to the development of a land management technique that nurtured the growth of old trees stumps which although chopped back still had life in them and an established root system underground.

The method became known as Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR). It revolutionised land restoration in drylands and it's simplicity, low cost and high success rates assisted farmers in becoming self sufficient, transforming lives in poverty stricken communities.

In the decades since Tony's work has contributed to the reforesting of over six million hectares of land and has attracted him numerous awards and wide spread recognition.

I hope you'll enjoy listening to Tony's story as he shares his knowledge and incredible experience.

I'm hugely excited to share this special compilation episode, where the voices of many of our guests have been brought together to add clarity to their shared themes.

Within the timestamps below you can identify each of the guests and find links to their individual interviews.

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We're focused on exploring steps to move us towards a regenerative economy

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In this episode we're looking at the marvel of nature, and not so much the beauty of a remote view or exotic creature, but the extraordinary system of creation that is born from the symbiosis of many parts working together.

In particular we're discovering the role of nature within the health of the planet and balance of the climate, before considering how significantly human impact - through our methods of farming the land, has been destroying these very systems that we depend upon.

It's a story that cycles back round. For as concerning and detrimental as things have become, there is huge hope brought though with the ever blossoming areas of regenerative agriculture.

We gain understanding from many locations and situations across the globe and I hope that bringing things together in this way will offer a greater clarity that we do have the means to turn things around.

If we jump into efforts that shift our human systems to work in harmony with the systems of nature, then the potential is to solve many problems side by side. And fairly quickly.

Use the time stamps below to get a sense of how the episode is broken down & which guest you're listening to:

00:00:00 - Introduction - Helen Fisher

00:02:20 - [Section 1 - The Beautiful Balance of Natural Systems] Caroline Grindrod (Episode 1: Understanding Regenerative Agriculture)

00:05:18 - Colin Andrews (Episode 14: Simple Tech, Major Impact)

00:06:11 - Dr Christo Miliotis (Episode 5: Soil, Living Support for Plants & Climate)

00:07:12 - Finian Makepeace (Episode 2: We Can Regenerate)

00:11:43 - [Section 2 - The Detriment of Human Impact through Industrial Agriculture] Caroline Grindrod

00:15:12 - Colin Andrews

00:17:36 - Dr Christo Miliotis

00:22:42 - Colin Andrews

00:23:06 - Peter Lundgard (Episode 10: How to Farm Regeneratively)

00:24:23 - Finian Makepeace

00:26:53 - Jackson Buzingo (Episode 4: Fighting Poverty with Regenerative Agriculture)

00:29:16 - [Section 3 - The Impact on Human Health] Bernadette Millard (Episode 12: Desert Borderland to Oasis!)

00:29:56 - Dr Christo Miliotis

00:30:21 - Colin Andrews

00:31:20 - Caroline Grindrod

00:33:00 - Dr Christo Miliotis

00:34:07 - Michelle Gilman (Episode 13: Food Systems for Healthy People & Planet)

00:36:10 - Colin Andrews

00:36:36 - Dr Christo Miliotis

00:36:55 - Adrian Ferrero (Episode 11: Data for Transition, Decoding Soil Biology!)

00:39:30 - [Section 4 - Transition & Healing from Regenerative Agriculture] Finian Makepeace

00:41:37 - Dr Christo Miliotis

00:44:15 - Caroline Grindrod

00:46:33 - Peter Lundgard

00:49:12 - Bernadette Millard

00:54:49 - Adrian Ferrero

00:59:34 - Jackson Buzingo

01:02:00 - Colin Andrews

01:05:15 - Michelle Gilman

01:06:52 - Peter Lundgard

01:08:28 - Finian Makepeace

01:08:43 - Outro - Helen Fisher

Find this episode on the website here: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/podcast-episode/regenerative-agriculture-healing-planet-climate/

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecarbon.earth/

Find us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/79159311

Join our co-learning experiment for a regenerative economy: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/join-in-building-a-regenerative-economy/