‘Regenerative economies which cherish and reciprocate the gift are the only path forward. To replenish the possibility of mutual flourishing, for birds and berries and people, we need an economy that shares the gifts of the Earth, following the lead of our oldest teachers, the plants.’- Robin Wall Kimmerer, The Serviceberry. An Economy of Abundance
The Serviceberry. An Economy of Abundance is an essay by Robin Wall Kimmerer, which explores the lessons of the gift economy from Robin’s unique perspective as a plant ecologist. I referenced a quote in my dissertation from Robin’s inspiring book, Braiding Sweetgrass. Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, and appreciate her style of writing, passion for the natural environment and respect for Indigenous knowledge.
I read her essay when it was published in October 2022, and the ideas discussed can be linked to the multiple benefits that forests provide, supporting the framing of these as gifts to be protected. The Deforestation Regulation appears to be a step towards advancing this.
Equator Initiative
The Equator Initiative website has information about various Indigenous and local community initiatives that have key roles in the conservation of biodiversity and which also create livelihood opportunities. The Equator Prize recognises these contributions, and reading through the activities of the prize winners provides inspiring examples of how unsupportive systems can be transformed.
Sustainable Capabilities 