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Embracing Complexity, Indigenous Wisdom and Regeneration for a Future-Proof Economy

Opening keynotes at SB’24 San Diego emphasized the need for interconnected action — from honoring Indigenous knowledge and leveraging complexity theory to leveraging business and technology to create resilience.

The interconnectedness of sustainability, business, technology and Indigenous wisdom emerged as key themes of the opening plenary at SB’24 San Diego. In an era of complexity shaped by polycrises, these discussions emphasize the urgent need to shift paradigms and embrace regenerative approaches for a resilient future.

Robert J. (Cita) Welch, Jr.

Day one coincided with Indigenous Peoples Day, and the opening plenary highlighted the critical role Indigenous communities play in our efforts to save our planet and its inhabitants. It began with a powerful Haka performance by Te Tini a Maui Kapa Haka, a Vancouver, BC-based group of Māori dancers — to commemorate the addition of SB’s newest international partner, SB Aotearoa; and a land acknowledgment from Robert J. (Cita) Welch, Jr. — Tribal Elder of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, which are native to the San Diego area. As Welch pointed out, though Indigenous people make up only 5 percent of the global population, they protect 80 percent of the world’s biodiversity. Their traditional knowledge has sustained ecosystems for generations, making them essential partners in conservation and sustainability efforts.


Reintegrating Indigenous wisdom

Estakio Beltran

Emcee Aman Singh, Director of Global Sustainability Communications for Walmart, then introduced the evening’s keynote speakers. Estakio Beltran, Partnerships Advisor for the Office of Strategic Partnerships and Indian Affairs at the US Department of the Interior, highlighted the importance of business and government partnerships with Native-led initiatives to preserve biodiversity and protect ecosystems. These efforts, including leveraging federal funding for conservation projects, demonstrate how Native knowledge can inform broader environmental and economic initiatives. This can be seen in the America the Beautiful Challenge – an initiative to conserve 30 percent of US land and water by 2030 – where the Office of Strategic Partnerships & Indian Affairs connected Tribal Nations by facilitating partnerships, securing funding and integrating Indigenous priorities into conservation efforts to protect lands and waters.


Complexity theory and systems thinking

Neil Theise

Next, Neil Theise — Professor of Pathology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and author of Notes on Complexity: The Scientific Theory of Connection, Consciousness, and Being — delved into complexity theory, which explains the interactions within adaptive systems. This theory is crucial for understanding sustainability — as it underscores how individual actions can influence larger, interconnected systems. Theise illustrated how everything from urban development to corporate structures to a conference such as SB’24 follows the principles of complexity. Systems are locally responsive but globally interdependent — thriving on balance, adaptability and creativity. The unpredictability of complex systems makes predicting long-term outcomes impossible, but small shifts in behavior or design can lead to large-scale impacts.


From sustainability to regeneration

L-R: Danielle Lanyard and Jessica Groopman

Next, Jessica Groopman and Danielle Lanyard — co-founders of the Regenerative Technology Project — emphasized the need to transition from sustaining current systems to regenerating them. The digital revolution has brought significant advances, but many technologies continue exploiting the environment and people. Groopman and Lanyard called for a new paradigm of technological innovation — one rooted in nature’s wisdom, where we restore more than we extract. By rethinking the way we build, design, and interact with technology, they propose a regenerative model that allows healthy living systems, ensures fairness, and cares for the earth and communities.


Supporting an equitable, regenerative and just economy

David Levine

David Levine is co-founder of the American Sustainable Business Network, which brings together leaders and investors to develop policy solutions that support and equitable, regenerative and just economy that benefits all. Through programs including climate-smart grants and partnerships with tribal nations, businesses are making strides in addressing both economic opportunities and climate change. An initiative that grew out of this was the Growing GRASS initiative, which supports regeneratively raised cattle and buffalo across the nation by ensuring producers have the financial support and market opportunities necessary to implement and sustain climate-smart agricultural practices. The shift from shareholder to stakeholder value, focusing on systemic health rather than profits alone, is gaining traction as companies recognize the long-term benefits of sustainable practices.


Making sustainable behavioral shifts irresistible

Frantz Beznik

Frantz Beznik, R&D Head of Sustainable Innovation at Procter & Gamble, then shifted gears to share insights from on-the-ground — or in-the-house — research into consumer water habits. He pointed out that while consumers may not prioritize sustainability due to pressing financial concerns, they do desire efficient, problem-solving products. Beznik shared insights gained through P&G’s work with "50L Home" — a coalition of companies that also includes Electrolux, IKEA and Kohler — to facilitate water-smart lifestyles, and called for a paradigm shift where sustainability becomes not only a necessity but also an irresistible choice for consumers.

As the tide continues to shift from commitments to action, collaboration and innovation will continue to be essential for creating an equitable, resilient, just and future-proof economy.

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