Episode 122: Michael Twist Regenpreneur Story - Biodiversity as the Next Gold Standard

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• Regenpreneur Think Tanks: Every month we hold a free event where impact entrepreneurs cultivating regenerative businesses from all over come together online, share resources, act as sounding boards, lift each other up, and weave their work together as part of the greater regenerative movement.

Discover the remarkable story of Michael Twist, a regenpreneur on a mission to redefine our economic currencies through biodiversity.

In episode 122 of the Seeds of Tao Podcast, we explore how Michael's journey began with a simple question: What's the coolest job you could do? From there, we unravel the profound connection between biodiversity and our economic systems, challenging traditional models like carbon markets and embracing a new "Gold Standard" built on nurturing our planet's natural wealth.

Let's change the world together.

Show Notes:

3:34 Michael’s beginning started with a question - What’s the coolest job that you could do?

8:56 How do we go about answering the questions that really intrigue us and lead our work?

16:07 Finding a new “Gold Standard” based in biodiversity

21:41 Getting the Global Climate dollar to market

33:29 How do you manage the stress and difficulty of running a regenerative startup?

43:03 What do you hope other impact entrepreneurs take away from your story

47:45 How can we support and get involved in your work?

1. GCdollar.com
2. Video game for sale
3. Reach out LinkedIn

Guest Bio:

Michael Twist

I have dedicated my life to helping build a missing piece of the puzzle, one that may, help solve climate change and close the poverty gap. We have began working to build a stable digital (similar to a stable coin) that we are planning to pay equally and directly to landowners and workers for successfully growing life into, soil, grass, waters and trees. It is our goal to pay the same amount of our Dollars for the same amount of CO2 captured into bio-diverse living environments. In other words, we are going to pay people who are successfully saving our environment anywhere on the planet at a rate that we hope makes it worth doing in any country.

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

Host Bio:

Joshua Prieto

Josh is the Co-Founder and Director of the Seeds of Tao learning platform for regenerative entrepreneurs. He has over 10 years of experience creating, building, and operating startup solutions alongside entrepreneurs of all shapes and sizes. That experience has shown him that entrepreneurs have the biggest role to play in the Anthropocene as we either create the solutions for, or become the root problem of, our people, planet, and future. Josh now co-creates educational programs that disrupt the current way our entrepreneurs learn. His holistically designed educational programs empower entrepreneurs to stop chasing “silver-bullet” solutions and start designing solutions that use regenerative systems.

Connect with Josh on LinkedIn

Blog Post:

Cultivating a Regenerative Economy: Exploring Biodiversity as the Foundation of a New Currency

In the face of global challenges such as climate change and environmental degradation, visionary individuals are paving the way for a more sustainable and regenerative future. One such pioneer is Michael Twist, whose remarkable journey has led him to reimagine our economic systems by harnessing the power of biodiversity. In this blog post, we delve into the concept of creating a new type of currency based on biodiversity, exploring its potential to shape a more resilient and regenerative economy.

Traditional economic models often prioritize short-term gains at the expense of long-term sustainability. The conventional measures of success fail to account for the intrinsic value of nature and its vital role in supporting all life on Earth. It is in this context that Michael Twist's visionary approach emerges—an approach centered around recognizing biodiversity as the bedrock of a new currency.

To comprehend the transformative potential of a biodiversity-based currency, we must first draw inspiration from history. The Gold Standard, a monetary system where the value of currency was tied to a fixed amount of gold, once prevailed globally. Its longevity and stability make it a compelling case study. By anchoring our new currency to the wealth and health of our natural ecosystems, we can establish a similar standard—one that incentivizes the preservation and restoration of biodiversity.

Biodiversity, the vast array of plant and animal species coexisting in an ecosystem, provides essential services that underpin our well-being, including clean air, water, and soil fertility. Recognizing this inherent value and integrating it into our economic systems can revolutionize the way we measure prosperity. By assigning quantifiable value to ecosystem services and the preservation of biodiversity, we create a framework where regenerative actions are economically rewarded—a win-win scenario for both nature and the economy.

The journey towards a regenerative economy based on biodiversity currency requires concerted efforts from various stakeholders. Here are some key steps to consider:

1. Raising Awareness and Shifting Mindsets: Promoting education and awareness about the importance of biodiversity is crucial. By highlighting the interdependence of economic well-being and a thriving natural environment, we can foster a collective understanding of the need for change.

2. Collaboration and Partnerships: To drive the adoption of biodiversity-based currency, collaborations between governments, businesses, communities, and conservation organizations are essential. By joining forces, we can develop innovative financial mechanisms, policies, and investment strategies that incentivize and reward regenerative practices.

3. Technological Innovation: Advancements in technology, such as blockchain and decentralized finance, offer promising tools for creating and managing biodiversity-based currencies. These technologies can provide transparency, traceability, and efficiency, enabling stakeholders to participate in the regenerative economy.

4. Scaling Up Success Stories: Highlighting successful case studies of businesses and initiatives that have embraced biodiversity-based currencies can inspire others to follow suit. By showcasing the tangible benefits and positive outcomes, we can ignite a ripple effect of change and encourage widespread adoption.

As we stand at a critical juncture in our planet's history, reimagining our economic systems through a biodiversity-based currency holds tremendous promise. By valuing and preserving the natural world, we can cultivate a regenerative economy—one that nurtures both people and the planet. Michael Twist's pioneering vision invites us to embark on this transformative journey. Together, let us embrace the power of biodiversity and shape a future where sustainability, prosperity, and regeneration intertwine.