The Earth’s climate system depends on the regulating function of the biosphere. While fossil fuel emissions must be reduced, I advocate that more attention is given to these biosphere functions: the soil sponge, vegetation and animals, and the small water cycle.

I like an image for poor heat regulation, which especially Canadians understand well. A person is sitting in the cold and freezing. Changes of the greenhouse are like putting on a warmer jacket. Yet, if the person stays put while blood sugar is low, then the person will continue to freeze badly. Even if the jacket could potentially sustain a comfortable body temperature! Once the person has a snack, stands up and starts moving, the body’s temperature regulation kicks in and the person gets cozy. The human body’s internal heating system is quite comparable to the biosphere’s climate self regulation – just that the biosphere is cooling its climate, it’s not warming the body temperature. Temperature regulation requires both attention to the jacket/the greenhouse and to internal regulatory processes. What the snack and movement is to humans, are biosphere functions (healthy soil, vegetation, watershed and the small water cycle) to the Earth’s climate. In my opinion, the climate debate has really neglected the biosphere’s self regulation. I want to educate about this part of the puzzle.

And this is a hopeful message. Humans can regenerate the biosphere and rebuild landscape resilience to climate change.  This page offers an overview of topics and formats for biosphere & regeneration talks and seminars that I offer.

A LECTURE SERIES

I offer seven talks about a societal transition to regenerative landscapes, both for general and professional audiences. The first four talks address the scientific basis, “the why”. The latter three talks address the societal dimension, the “how”: management, personal aspects, and community strategic approaches for this transition. I believe that concrete action (the “What needs to be done”) emerges naturally once we understand the why’s and the how’s (see my blogpost on this!).

1. Regenerating the soil sponge and watershed functions

Landscape resilience to climate change depends on functioning watershed functions, especially water retention and storage. A healthy soil sponge plays a vital role for the water cycle for mitigating floods and droughts. This talk will elaborate the role of the soil sponge for farm and landscape resilience, and how we can regenerate it.

2. The small water cycle – How the biosphere self regulates its climate

The water cycle is not only governed by global weather processes, but also by the ability of the biosphere to self-regulate. In a changing climate, it is vital to understand and foster these self-regulatory functions with our human management of landscapes. This talk explains the concept of the biosphere’s small water cycle and how we can strengthen and regenerate landscape resilience.

3. What is regenerative grazing, and how does it benefit ecosystem functions?

Planned holistic grazing is one of the most effective ways to restore ecosystem functions and the biosphere’s self-regulatory ability. This talk will lay out the basic concepts of planned grazing, and outline how it fits into different types of ecosystems. It will also address questions around ecological impacts of ruminants and meat with different production systems, and opportunities for building a strong local food value chain for regeneratively produced meat products.

4. What is regenerative agriculture and regenerative food systems?

This talk explains regenerative agriculture and food systems that foster such production. Basic concepts (e.g. biosphere, soil sponge, planned grazing) are assumed to be known. The talk focuses on regenerative production principles and opportunities to build markets for regenerative products, from direct marketing to wholesaling.

5. What is “management for regeneration”?

Many audiences are interested whether one or the other technology are useful for building regenerative food systems. The answer is always: “It depends on how these tools fit into an overall management approach and local context”. This talk will outline the basics of managing for regeneration, at farm and policy level. It will outline a tested planning methodology that fosters regenerative outcomes while avoiding unintended consequences.

6. Personal development for a regenerative world

Many people suffer from climate or eco grief, and a sense of powerlessness and lack of agency. This talk will lay out approaches to re-discover positivism and hope through regenerative living. This talk offers methods that guide attendees on their journey of personal development within a much-needed societal transition. A transition toward regenerative living within a connected society and a resilient and vibrant ecosystem.

7. Let’s be strategic about transformation!

History shows that change can happen – often faster than anyone may anticipate. Examples show that an intentional strategy is far more important than resources. This talk uses tested experiences from change makers who have successfully transformed societies peacefully and with very limited resources. The talk provides a step-by-step methodology for designing transitional campaigns. Such methodological approach greatly improves the chances for success while ensuring that change makers don’t over-extend their personal energies.

FORMATS

Each talk takes around 1 hour of presentation, plus ample time for discussion. On request, two topics can be combined for a 90-min lecture.

Depending on travel, I offer all or some talks in various formats:

• as weekend seminar,
• as two-day seminars, e.g. on two consecutive Saturdays,
• as weekly series,
• as holistic regenerative retreat at a farm (“Barn Academy, see designated website”).

All formats, especially the holistic retreat/Barn Academy, can also include a farm tour, physical practice for impact without force that are based on Aikido and Argentine Tango principles, and regenerative meals in community.