It’s a question we get a lot. If the end result of regenerative development is that natural systems have regained their ability to sustain and nourish life on this planet, isn’t that just a fancy name for ecological restoration?
To begin to make this distinction, it’s important to note that the concept of “restoring” an ecosystem is a bit of a misnomer. This is because ecosystems are not static—you can’t return an ecosystem to its original condition like you can with a painting or a vintage radio. An ecosystem, like any living thing, can never stand still and can only be in process—either a process of evolution, or a process of de-evolution.
So when you “restore” an ecosystem back to a particular state, the question is this: Will it continue to evolve from that point forward? Or will it begin to decline again?
The answer to that question has more to do with how human systems work than it does with how ecosystems work. If the place’s human systems have not themselves transformed, then they will likely just repeat the same cycle that caused the ecosystem to require “restoration” in the first place.
Traditional approaches manage this by simply keeping humans as far away from the ecosystem as possible through conservation easements and other instruments for protecting land.
But regenerative development takes a different approach, by asking the question: How can we re-align human activity with the evolution of this ecosystem? How can humans be partners in that evolution?
The answer to that question is different in each unique place. But it’s important to recognize that the question has multiple levels. The first level is a design question—the question of how activities like agriculture, land development, and transportation can be designed to harmonize with and support local natural systems. You might even ask how the activity of restoring the ecosystem itself can be designed so that it can help to transform and build capacity in local people.
But another level, which is critical and all-too-often missing from the conversation, has to do with a community’s narrative about itself. What does this community value about itself? What is it valued for by the larger world? How is that identity connected to the underlying natural systems that made the community what it is? And how can the members of the community be awakened to that connection in a way that unlocks the will to engage, in an organic and sustained way, with the design work that needs to be done at the first level?
It’s when you begin to ask that level of question that you are working on regenerative development.
What’s the difference between regeneration and restoration? Very impressive piece of writing! Insightful and thought provocative! Our NPO is currently looking at a educational regenesis project where we will encourage and promote the current value and thought patters of learners in order to more effectively prepare them for the challenges that await them after school! This in itself will not be possible without the parents as well as educators taking part in such a project. We may be a long way from achieving it, but this little piece of writing may have just helped us to tip the scales in our favor! Thank you and good luck with your initiative!
Shannon,
Great article. I appreciate the clarification of intent, as I think most people probably mean regeneration when they say restoration. And understanding the dynamic nature of an ecosystem, and more importantly our role within that system, can’t be ignored or overlooked. It’s really the key to doing good instead of harm.
Until humanity truly recognizes how delicate the balance of that role can be, we won’t collectively act accordingly, and re-align our behavior to be more synchronous with the systems we inhabit.
A thousand thanks to Regenesis Group for being a consistent voice of reason and providing clarity on a very complex equation.
Thanks a lot! I wonder if someone can inform us, what are thus the criteria for building a regenerative transformation of existing systems like in the built environment! Thanks!
This is excellent Jo. Thanks so much. Ive been rehashing the question when we talk about regenerating landscapes in Australia that never ever had ecosystems or food systems like those in Europe until westerners arrived and forced the land into new patterns of production.
Very good. It is such a crucial topic of harmony between people and their environments.
Insightful and Dharmic Way of life- when I am writing Dharmic way- its means we have sync our selves with the nature. Dharmic in real sense mean rule of nature and let me give on example- When we get angry, we start harming ourselves and then the world around. We can not harm other until unless we harm oneself. We are conscious enough that we are try to exploit nature and we are explaining us and we can not save ourselves from the damage and lets do which is winning for everyone- Humanity and planet in true sense with Regenerative paradigm.