EP.4. Regenerating a Paradise

Alexandre Lemille is head of sustainability consultancy Anthesis in France. He is both 'on stage', advising major European companies on their sustainability strategies, but also 'back stage' working to redesign the very system that supports the day job. His work advising the African Development Bank on developing a circular economy fit for societies in African countries is beginning to surface a radical thought: is the future of a sustainable global economy finding its early expression in the 'low tech' hubs of Nigeria and Kenya?    Read more about Alexandre's work and thinking here: www.AlexandreLemille.com or https://wiki.p2pfoundation.net/Circular_Humansphere

Hamish Evans is 24, one of a new breed of young entrepreneurs who see potential in our land for hope, for social and ecological renewal. He has lived in Bath in the UK's West Country for most of his life. But rather than escaping it for brighter lights, he's deepening his roots. With three other 'ecological farmers' he is setting up a local farm with the ambition to supply 400 local homes with food. And he believes this will scale across the region. If you fancy supporting his venture, here's the crowd funder:  https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ecological-farm-for-bath

David Leventhal is the owner of the renowned Mexican holiday resort Playa Viva, a powerful example of what can be achieved with a regenerative approach to business. Having purchased a pristine length of beach, he found himself surrounded by a landscape degraded by intensive agriculture, and the nearby town dying. This is his story of bringing back the abundance that once typified this region.  See also his white paper on Regenerative Travel here 

Rachel Bell, director of leading architectural practice based in the west of England cares deeply about community, climate change, diversity and bringing authenticity and joy to work. Her practice has also become the first top UK practice to become a BCorp.

Think of the soil your building stands on. You could have a carbon sequestration resource right on your doorstep. I meet Daniel Tyrkiel, the entrepreneur who is turning ground breaking soil microbe research into the biggest revolution in the use of farm land since the start of industrial agriculture. And simultaneously making land the most powerful solution to carbon emissions.

I meet with Jules Peck who with colleagues, is setting up 18 local, and community owned banks up and down the UK. An economist turned banker who’s lived all over the world, Jules has now returned to his roots and settled in the west of England. It's here that the first of these so-called mutual banks will be launched.