Envisionation has developed a groundbreaking initiative: the Biosphere Restoration Plan (BRP) in the face of unprecedented environmental challenges. This comprehensive strategy aims to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and societal inequalities through a unique “Whole Earth System” approach. But what exactly is the BRP, and why is it so crucial for our planet’s future?
Understanding the Biosphere
Before delving into the plan itself, it’s essential to grasp the concept of the biosphere. The biosphere is the incredibly thin layer on Earth’s surface where life exists—from the depths of the oceans to several kilometres underground and high into the atmosphere. It’s not just a passive environment; it’s a dynamic, interconnected system that has evolved over billions of years to maintain the conditions necessary for life to thrive.
However, over the past 10,000 years, human activities have dramatically altered this delicate balance. We’ve reduced the overall mass of living things on the planet to less than half of what existed for the previous million years. This reduction isn’t just a loss of biodiversity; it’s a severe degradation of the Earth’s natural climate management engine.
The Core of the Biosphere Restoration Plan
The BRP’s primary goal is to restabilise Earth’s climate by restoring the biomass we’ve lost. This ambitious plan aims to regrow the more than 50% of lost life on Earth, which would draw down an estimated 550 billion tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere and oceans. This massive carbon sequestration could potentially return atmospheric CO2 to near pre-industrial levels.
But the BRP isn’t just about planting trees or restoring habitats. It’s a holistic approach that encompasses:
1. Empowering the UN Sustainable Development Goals: The plan is designed to benefit a global population of 9 billion by 2050, addressing issues of equality and sustainability.
2. Addressing Civilisation Failings: The BRP aims to rectify the root causes of environmental degradation by identifying structural weaknesses in our legal and fiscal systems.
3. Harmonising with Nature: The plan proposes new legal and accounting frameworks that stimulate biosphere restoration, allowing human civilisation to advance in harmony with nature.
4. Financing Restoration: By leveraging the potential growth in global GDP that large-scale environmental restoration could deliver, the BRP secures the necessary funding for its implementation.
The Role of Empathy Coins
A unique aspect of the BRP is the introduction of Empathy Coins. These digital assets make investment in the project accessible to individuals and organisations alike. Initially, they will fund the dissemination and advancement of the plan, including the development of an Earth system accounting infrastructure. As the project progresses, these coins will be linked by smart contract to the whole Earth system biomass account, potentially underpinning a living carbon standard.
Beyond Net Zero
It’s crucial to understand that the BRP goes far beyond the concept of “net zero by 2050”. While reducing greenhouse gas emissions is vital, the plan recognises that this target needs to be revised to address the scale of our environmental crisis. The BRP acknowledges that we may need to take emergency action to cool the planet and prevent runaway warming while we work on regrowing lost biomass.
A Call for Collaboration
The Biosphere Restoration Plan is a colossal undertaking that requires global cooperation. Envisionation recognises that this must be a collaborative effort involving individuals, organisations, and governments worldwide. By working together, we can communicate and implement this plan effectively, creating a positive “Whole Earth System” approach to our planet’s future.
In conclusion, the Biosphere Restoration Plan represents a paradigm shift in approaching environmental restoration and climate change mitigation. It’s not just about reducing harm; it’s about actively restoring and enhancing the natural systems that sustain all life on Earth. As we face the challenges of the 21st century, initiatives like the BRP offer a beacon of hope – a comprehensive, scientifically grounded plan for creating a sustainable and prosperous future for all humanity and the countless species who share our planet.