the restoration economy

I had the opportunity yesterday to attend a presentation by the author of this book, and I was very much impressed and intrigued by what he said and the discussion that followed. The basic thrust of his argument is that much of the world has reached the stage where a choice must be made between restoration and decay. Many nations and communities have advanced from a “pioneer” model (think sprawl) based on expansion and attendant depletion and devitalization to a stage of conservation and maintenance. Finite resources make continued expansion more difficult if not impossible in some areas, and focus has shifted somewhat to a certain type of conservation. We’re thinking more about how to consume fewer resources, to pollute less, and how to limit sprawl. This stage, however, is insufficient and unsustainable; it only slows the deterioration and depletion. What is needed, and what is rapidly coming into existence, is an economy based largely on restoration: redeveloping brownfields, repairing and restoring ecosystems, renovating water and sewer systems and the built environment. What is needed is a concerted effort at resurrection. This effort is already underway, and it is uniting a diverse group of actors, from environmentalists and venture capitalists to nonprofit and government leaders. It is something that nearly everyone can get behind, it has powerful ramifications for economic and physical health, and it is surprisingly profitable: conservative estimates put the worldwide restoration economy at $1-$2 trillion annually. The book provides interesting examples of restoration projects that are taking place in various parts of the world and offers guidance on how to make your community a part of it. I’ve not finished it yet, but I feel comfortable, based on what I’ve seen so far, recommending it to those of you interested in issues of community and economic development. There’s some really fascinating stuff here.