How to Build a Regenerative Economy with Hunter Lovins

“We have the solutions—we know what to do. Let’s stop talking and start regenerating,” ~ Hunter Lovins

Join host Beth Bannerman for a deep dive with Hunter Lovins—author, pioneer of Natural Capitalism, and one of the world’s foremost champions of sustainable development. 

What if capitalism could heal the planet instead of harming it? After four decades on the front lines of sustainable development, Hunter is here to show us exactly how to build a regenerative economy—quickly and profitably. Strap in for a conversation that proves real climate action starts in our communities, not boardrooms.

💡 Takeaways: You’ll walk away ready to launch your own dot—one small, high-impact action in your community that moves us all toward a climate-safe future.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

1. Integrated Bottom Line: 13 “green business” strategies that drive +34% ROI

2. Regenerative Agriculture: How cover crops & holistic grazing turn soil into profit

3. Barriers & Breakthroughs: Battling vested interests in sustainable development

4. CopX.Global: Building a grassroots climate movement in 1,000+ communities

5. Doughnut Economics: Operating within the planet’s “safe & just space”

6. Just Cities: Civic-pride meets clean energy, agri-tech, and community finance

7. Vision for 2050: Imagining a world powered by circular economy and impact investing

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro & Hunter’s Impact

06:07 Business Case for Sustainability

17:10 Examples of Regenerative Practices

26:06 Vision from A Finer Future

39:08 COPX.Global & Grassroots Action

46:41 Principles of Regenerative Economics

01:06:05 Doughnut Economics Explained

01:08:10 Imagining Our Regenerative Future

RESOURCES mentioned in this episode:

• 🌐 Natural Capitalism Solutions → https://natcapsolutions.org

• 📖 A Finer Future Book by L. Hunter Lovins, Stewart Wallis, Anders Wijkman, John Fullerton→ https://natcapsolutions.org/product/purchaseafinerfuture/

• 🌍 COPX.global grassroots movement to scale local climate action → https://www.copx.global/home

• 📑John Fullerton’s Regenerative Capitalism paper → https://capitalinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2015-Regenerative-Capitalism-4-20-15-final.pdf

• 🎬Common Ground Documentary Film → https://commongroundfilm.org/

• 🧑‍🌾 Regenerative Rancher Gabe Brown → https://brownsranch.us/

• 🌐 Savory Institute (Holistic Management) → https://savory.global/

• 🌐 Rodale Institute (Regenerative Organic Agriculture) → https://rodaleinstitute.org/

• 📑LASER Manual (Local Action for Sustainable Economic Renewal) and other tools→ https://natcapsolutions.org/tools/

• 🎙️The Happy Planet Index, TEDGlobal, by Nic Marks → https://www.ted.com/talks/nic_marks_the_happy_planet_index?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

• 📖 Doughnut Economics Book by Kate Raworth → https://www.kateraworth.com/doughnut/

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