Giordanengo began building his career in ecological restoration throughout the Western US in 1996, but his dedication to conservation goes back further. While studying business in the eighties, John became intrigued by a universal challenge: preserving earth’s ecosystems while meeting humanity’s economic needs. Inspired by the growing protests against globalization, and then the 2007 Great Recession, he began the research and writing of Ecosystems as Models for Restoring our Economies. This work integrates 30 years of experience in ecology, business, and economics, which indicates that the core drivers of the health and resilience of ecosystems also govern our economies. After sharing his experience in ecological restoration with hundreds of audiences across the Americas, John now turns to a deeper passion—shedding light on our shared knowledge of economic restoration.
“Giordanengo provides a comprehensive synthesis of ecological foundations and economic structure, sorely lacking in our quest to develop sustainable economies in the face of growing economic and environmental turmoil. From the roots of ecological restoration, this book delivers a clear path to restoring the American economy, in a way that speaks in a universal language to policy makers, business owners, academics and the next generation. The identification of three drivers of highly resilient and productive economies and ecosystems—diversity, energy, and trade—is perhaps the most important insight to resolving growing tensions between society, nature, and the global market economy. This book provides hopes for species, ecosystems and the planet.” ~ Kingsley Dixon, Vice chair of the global board of directors, Society for Ecological Restoration.
“Ecosystems as Models for Restoring our Economies
appeals to a broad range of people across ages, values, and political beliefs, and will change the way we live our lives. I'll be sending this book to many people in my life moving forward, and believe it should be required reading for high schools, colleges, and any other educational program.” ~ Morgan Day, Urban Planning and Sustainability Writer“As an ecologist and ecosystem restorationist John Giordanengo, like myself, has spent decades pondering the plight of humanity while simultaneously working with natural plant communities that have been able to survive every disturbance imaginable. There are predictable strategies used by nature, in order to survive in a world of unpredictable disturbances. Giordanengo points out that it is the built-in strategy of natural systems to increase energy capture, increase diversity, and to maximize the recycling of nutrients within the system beginning at the local level. The in-depth work of this book reveals our economy has become “upside down” compared to ecosystems. The human economy has grown “out” to the limits of our biosphere. It is time, as Giordanengo asserts, to mimic nature and to grow IN.” ~ Mark Shepard, Author of Restoration Agriculture
“Entrepreneurs play a critical role in the ecosystem, and in the endurance and restoration of a thriving economy.
Ecosystems as Models for Restoring our Economies,
Giordanengo’s masterpiece book, distills nature’s most important principles with basic economic theory in a logical and seamless narrative. Your first takeaway might be - why haven’t we looked at the earth ‘s ecosystems before - for the answers to a sustainable economy? As a reader, you will be drawn to new clues and conclusions.” ~ Patty Alper, Teach to Work, Author, The Alper Portfolio Group Ltd, President“Biomimicry has helped ranchers like us develop rapid rotational grazing and other practices that help the environment as well as the bottom line. Can the lessons of ecosystem science be applied to entire economies? That is the critical question addressed by John Giordenango in this insightful book. It is time for economic policy makers to collaborate with environmentalists and ecologists, to develop creative solutions for restoring both the planet and its human communities.” ~ David M. Jessup, co-owner, Sylvan Dale Ranch, author of Mariano’s Crossing and other award-winning historical novels.
