Beyond "Sustainable": The Concept of "Regenerative" to Restore the Environment
In recent years, the term "sustainable" has been widely used as a concept for protecting the environment. Recently, however, the idea of "regenerative," which aims to go even further, has been gaining attention around the world.
"Sustainable" aims to maintain the current environment so that it does not deteriorate. In contrast, "regenerative" aims to actively "regenerate" damaged ecosystems, societies, and economic systems by leveraging the inherent power of the natural environment.
This concept is beginning to be incorporated into various fields, including agriculture, business, and urban development. For example, in agriculture, farming methods that enrich the soil are being used not only to grow crops but also to return the land's environment to a better state.
In Japan, too, there is a growing emphasis on activities where companies do more than just reduce their environmental impact, but also work to enrich local communities and the natural environment. Adopting a regenerative perspective will likely provide significant insights for thinking about the future of our society.