S2E11: Can capitalism be regenerative?—w/ John Elkington, author of Green Swans

Join in on the conversation around regenerative capitalism and if/how capitalism can be made regenerative by tweeting @volansjohn and @nori, and you will automatically be entered to win copy of John Elkington’s latest book, Green Swans: The Coming Boom in Regenerative Capitalism!

 

Most of us are familiar with Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s concept of a black swan: an unforeseen, adverse event with off-the-scale impact. But what if we were to flip this concept on its head? In his new book, John Elkington envisions a world where capitalism transforms to serve people and planet, where the black swan problems currently leading us to exponential breakdown are mitigated by green swan solutions taking us exponentially toward breakthrough.

 

John is an internationally recognized authority on corporate responsibility and sustainable development, bestselling author, and serial entrepreneur. He currently serves as Chief Pollinator at Volans, a future-focused business working at the intersection of the sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovation movements. Today, John joins Ross and Paul to discuss his most recent book, Green Swans: The Coming Boom in Regenerative Capitalism, and explain how a green swan differs from a black swan event in its potential for an exponentially positive impact.

 

John goes on to discuss the idea of regenerative capitalism, explaining why he doesn’t trust incumbents to lead the movement, how we can approach new ventures with a regenerative mindset, and why he suggests transforming the current system rather than scrapping capitalism altogether. Listen in for John’s insight around the unintended consequences of implementing new technologies, and find out what green swans might arise out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Key Takeaways

 

[2:52] What John is trying to communicate through Green Swans

Black swan = unexpected event, exponential negative impact Raise question re: exponentially positive trajectories

 

[5:52] How John defines a gray swan and a white swan

Gray swans have massive negative impact but were foreseen White swan = template for anything with exponential impact 

 

[8:27] John’s concept of regenerative capitalism

Social movements must engage with markets + business Reprogram key parts of system to build resilience

 

[11:17] The potential for oil and gas to lead the movement

Fundamental distrust of incumbents in old economic orders Reptilian instincts, try to undermine opposition

 

[13:49] Why we shouldn’t just get rid of capitalism

Market activity gone on for thousands of years Reform with government, regulatory involvement

 

[15:57] How to start new ventures with a regenerative mindset

Leverage approach of B Corp movement Requires transformation of financial market

 

[22:19] How a regenerative focus might heal the political divide

Potential for transfer of wealth from urban to rural Still dispossessed by tech (automotive, dairy industries)

 

[25:57] Nori’s potential role in establishing regenerative capitalism

Evolving ecosystem of likeminded companies Operate as standard setter of what is regenerative

 

[30:08] What we need to know about Thomas Midgley 

Chemist/engineer with patents for leaded gasoline, freons Single organism who did most damage to planet

 

[33:26] How to cultivate leaders who put the community’s needs first

Reach out to people don’t understand, make uncomfortable Develop ability to listen for weak signals of change

 

[36:25] What green swans may arise out of COVID-19

Commitment to air quality, places to walk and cycle Universal basic income (has own unintended consequences)

 

Connect with Ross & Paul 

 

Nori

Nori on Facebook 

Nori on Twitter

Nori on Medium

Nori on YouTube

Nori on GitHub

Nori on Patreon

Nori Newsletter

Email podcast@nori.com 

Nori White Paper

Subscribe on iTunes

Carbon Removal Newsroom

 

Resources

 

John’s Website

John on Twitter

Volans

John Elkington on RCC EP028

Green Swans: The Coming Boom in Regenerative Capitalism by John Elkington

The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Books by John Elkington

People of the State of New York v. Exxon Mobil Corporation

Hyman Minsky

Kate Raworth

Mariana Mazzucato

Business Roundtable 

The Innovator’s Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book That Will Change the Way You Do Business by Clayton M. Christensen

Certified B Corporation

Richard Roberts’ Series on Shareholders vs. Stakeholders

RethinkX

Thomas Midgley

‘To an Uneducated Ruler’ by Plutarch

Leaders’ Quest

The Finnish Basic Income Experiment

Regenerators

John Fullerton at the Capital Institute

Janine Benyus at the Biomimicry Institute