Edona Arnesen
Can systems of food provision in our modern age, to any extent, be and behave in ways that have more positive than negative influences on nature, environment, climate, and health? If we believe that it can, what does that look like? What foundation must be in place to support this net positive way of being and acting that forges regeneration? We need to support Earth’s regeneration of her own natural systems; the soils, the water flows, the biological, chemical and nutritional cycles, and the complexity that builds resilient ecosystems. Closely coupled with this is our need to redefine the value of our food, first and foremost in terms other than monetary. “Systemic design is emerging as a promising approach to intervening in regenerative systems change”, writes Fitzpatrick, Luthe and Sevaldson (2024), pointing to how diverse scientific and experienced knowledge is needed. Research also needs to follow the first movers in order to learn, rather than looking for transition levers in existing, traditional business models and supply chain structures.
Regenerative systems of provision are characterised by being place-based and operating on nature’s premises, within the planetary boundaries and above the social foundation. They’re flexible and dynamic, continually being shaped by their surroundings and participants – and governed as such. They have high levels of relational wealth, and the participants acting in relationships have skin in the game. They cannot thrive in the consumption and growth-based society we are locked into today – societal changes are inevitable for them to be a real alternative to current systems of provision. Cultivating regenerative mindsets is the first step in organising society for systems of provision that regenerate ecological systems through their activity.
KEYWORDS: regenerative supply chains, food systems, social-ecological systems, systemic design, degrowth, planetary boundaries