#059 Regenerate Costa Rica
How the spirit of Gaia is stirring, with Dr Eduard Müller
Dr. Eduard Müller is founding President and Rector of la Universidad para la Cooperación Internacional (the University for International Cooperation) in Costa Rica. Eduard was a vet, till a growing sense of responsibility for state of the world, prompted a change of course. He got involved in the sustainability movement of the late 1980s, and after the pivotal Rio Summit in 1992, he went on to found the university. It now has thousands of graduates all over the world in regenerative development. And out of that, has sprung Regenerate Costa Rica.
Rancho Margot, Costa Rica. Eduard describes it as a demonstrative site for true regeneration. It was a degraded cattle farm 14 years ago and now very rich in biodiversity while providing agriculture, tourism and education. The photo is of the pig farm under green roofs and lots of biodiversity around. Pic: supplied.
“This is all related to our bad relationship with nature. And to putting business ahead of life. Now our story-telling has to tell people, look, life is more important. And that is exactly what is happening now.”
Through collaborative work led by the University, Regenerate Costa Rica is working across bio-regions on site-based, holistic approaches to produce 3 key outcomes: high carbon capture in soils, increases in biodiversity, and improvements in human wellbeing. Regenerating land through natural and assisted processes is essential to this work, along with broader regeneration of the economy, politics and culture.
And in the broader global agenda, they are part of the growing Regenerative Communities Network, hosted by the Capital Institute. All that harks back to my very first podcast guest, the founder of that Institute, John Fullerton.
The ultimate goal? Reverse the high risk associated with having trespassed a number of planetary boundaries, to assure the safe operating space for humanity. The early successes, willingness to change among farmers and ranchers, and the trajectory of the project and broader regenerative networks are wonderfully inspiring.
Eduard has presented to organisations such as the World Meteorological Organization, the Latin American Parliament, the Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas, The Earth Charter, IUCN, national and provincial legislatures. And he has worked as a consultant for the World Bank, UN, IUCN, governments and various other organizations.
This episode was recorded with Eduard at home in Costa Rica, on 25 March 2020.
Get more:
Regenerative Communities Network.
Universidad para la Cooperación Internacional (the University for International Cooperation).
Theme music:
The System, by the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra
Due to licencing restrictions, our guest’s nominated music can only be played on radio or similarly licenced broadcasts of this episode.