#096 Regeneration
Ending the climate crisis in one generation, with global visionary Paul Hawken
This feels like a pivotal moment. Four years ago, legendary environmentalist, activist, entrepreneur and author, Paul Hawken, compiled the best-selling book Drawdown, a comprehensive plan for reversing global warming. That book changed the world in many ways. And his new one, the sequel to Drawdown, is creating another big wave. It’s called Regeneration: Ending the climate crisis in one generation, and just one week out, it’s already #6 in the New York Times best-seller list.
“In every person I think regeneration, the core meaning of it, is really about coming home to oneself. As opposed to doing something out there that is the right thing to do, which should be done, that is a better thing to do. It is all those things I think. But actually it is our nature, and it’s who we are. It’s really who we are.”
Regeneration is billed as the first book to describe the burgeoning regeneration movement spreading rapidly around the world. And like Drawdown, it doesn’t end at the book. The not-for-profit Regeneration organisation is developing an extraordinary set of online guides and resources, teaching materials and media productions to assist our efforts, whoever and wherever we are.
If Drawdown was what-could-be-done, Regeneration is how-to-get-it-done. And that’s in a context where we’re still going backwards in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, our health, and other critical crises. And, most people in the world remain disengaged.
So how do we change this? How do we, as this one generation, engage the majority of humanity and fundamentally shift our collective course?
More on Paul and Drawdown:
Drawdown is in its 14th printing, was a NYT bestseller, is published in 14 languages, has been referred to and used by heads of state, is part of the curriculum on every grade level from 4th grade to MIT graduate school, and is placed in a New Zealand hotel chain alongside the Gideon Bible.
Drawdown named the goal. Before the book was published, the goal and word were not mentioned in climate literature. The term drawdown is now in generic use, employed and referred to thousands of times a day, and the book’s conclusions became the “bible” for over a trillion dollars of funds managed by numerous financial institutions.
Paul Hawken is an environmentalist, entrepreneur, and bestselling author of eight books that have been published in thirty languages in more than fifty countries and have sold more than two million copies. Hawken is a renowned lecturer who has keynoted conferences and led workshops on the impact of commerce upon the environment, and has consulted with governments and corporations throughout the world.
This conversation was recorded online with Anthony in the Kimberley and Paul at home in California on 30 September 2021 (Australian time), with thanks to the team at the Derby Media Aboriginal Corporation for use of their studio.
Get more:
Tune in to the special extra to this episode, where we deep-dive into some of the key themes of Regeneration.
Regeneration, the not-for-profit organisation, including NEXUS and how to get hold of the book.
The video of the preview performance of AY Young’s Regeneration anthem as featured in the podcast.
Paul’s website, including his full catalogue of books.
To listen to Paul and I speak back in 2018, head to episodes 13 and 14. I particularly recommend episode 13, on his life story - from being an 18 year old with Martin Luther King through to Drawdown.
And you can hear conversations with Charlie Massy (ep32), the Haggerty’s (ep68), Lynne Kelly (ep92), Mark Jones (ep94) and others mentioned in this episode by heading to the Episodes page on our website.
Music:
The System, by the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra.
Tune accompanying the introduction is by Jeremiah Johnson.
We Can Change the World (The Regeneration Song), by AY Young and Jonathan Russell of The Head & The Heart.