9 Pithy Examples Explaining the Difference Between Sustainability and Regeneration
Sustainability is… human-focused, asking, “how can humans continue to profit off of the natural world without destroying everything?”
Regeneration is… Mother Earth-focused; exploring, “how can all life live in abundance and harmony?”
Sustainability is… believing that the only way humans can survive is by taking from nature, and that the only way we can live sustainably is taking less, taking slower.
Regeneration is… believing that humans have the potential to regrow and give back what we take, and that we have, and can, co-exist, co-evolve, and co-create with Mother Earth in harmony.
Sustainability is… seeing the world as a resource provider, and having a relationship with Earth that is primarily extractive.
Regeneration is… seeing the world as a living organism, and having a relationship with Earth that is primarily reciprocal and mutually supportive.
Sustainability teaches us… competition. In certified organic agriculture, farmers use organic pesticides to rid crops of ‘pests’ and ‘weeds’. 100% of the food grown for humans.
Regeneration teaches us… co-operation. In regenerative agriculture, farmers grow different plants to repel certain insects and grow more crops so that insects or ‘pests’ may eat, too. 50% of the food grown for nature, 50% for humans.
Sustainability is… reductionist thinking, solving one climate problem at a time.
Regeneration is… holistic thinking, appreciating life’s complexity, and approaching climate problem with the whole picture in mind.
Sustainability = scarcity.
Regeneration = abundance.
Sustainability… disconnects us with one another and with nature, dividing those who have the resources to live sustainably (buying expensive organic products, buying ‘eco’ fashion to replace existing clothes, buying electric cars) with those who do not.
Regeneration… leaves no one behind (everyone belongs!) and reconnects us with one another and with nature, through mutual understanding and aid, as well as community (supporting local agroecology, consuming less through reusing, sharing, and exchanging, composting and recycling nutrients).
Sustainability is… general and one-size-fits-all. Solutions come from the top-down, from the people who think they know best.
Regeneration is… specific and place-based. Potential and solutions come from the bottom-up, from and for the people, animals, plants, water, air, and life that get affected the most.
Sustainability is… thinking that the planet is better off without humans.
Regeneration is... thinking that humans have a place and a role on the planet, as stewards of the land and the environment.
What do you think sustainability and regeneration is? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
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