Reconnecting to Place for Planetary Health with Daniel Christian Wahl

Video Description

(Conversation recorded on July 24th, 2024) In the past century of abundant energy surplus, humanity’s globalized, large-scale approach to problem-solving has yielded remarkable benefits and innovations. However, as we face a future with reduced energy resources, mounting waste, and a biosphere in danger, the negative impacts of this approach are increasingly overshadowing its gains. How should we evaluate and change these tactics as we look to build future societies that can better attune with their environments and the health of the planet? This week, Nate is joined by Daniel Christian Wahl, a leader and activist in regenerative living, for an exploration into what our lifestyles and communities could look like if we aligned human systems—like agriculture, economy, and community planning—with the natural ecosystems of a specific bioregion to create more sustainable and harmonious ways of living. How can small, incremental improvements made at the local ecological level create emergent benefits for the entire planet? What do we need to unlearn from past centuries of living in order to find balance with nature in the habitats and regions that we call home? How can individuals incorporate regenerative principles into their own lives today, regardless of their surrounding systems? About Daniel Christian Wahl: Daniel Christian Wahl is one of the catalysts of the rising reGeneration movement and the author of Designing Regenerative Cultures - so far translated into seven languages. He works as a consultant, educator and activist with NGOs, businesses, governments and global change agents. With degrees in biology and holistic science, and a PhD in Design for Human and Planetary Health, his work has influenced the emerging fields of regenerative design and salutogenic design. He is the winner of the 2021 RSA Bicentenary Medal for applying design in service to society and was awarded a two year Volans-Fellowship in 2022. For Show Notes and More visit: https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/episode/139-daniel-christian-wahl --- Support Institute for the Study of Energy and Our Future: https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/support Join our Substack newsletter: https://natehagens.substack.com/ Join our Discord channel and connect with other listeners: https://discord.gg/ZFfQqtqMJf --- 00:00 - Introduction 02:26 - Regenerative Culture 11:09 - Local Efforts 16:45 - Scaling the Scout Team 22:04 - Bioregioning 28:09 - Migration 34:29 - The Transition Period 41:47 - Unlearning 53:06 - Students and Teachers 59:52 - The Term “Regenerative” 1:07:07 - Regenerative Education 1:17:10 - Eutopias 1:22:11 - Bioregional First Steps 1:28:10 - Bioregioning Local Governments 1:33:27 - Closing Questions