Awareness is not enough.
We used to think it was enough to “accelerate the transition.” Quick reality check: we need a new compass. The books we’ve selected call for a shift—from sustainability to regeneration, from carbon as a problem to carbon as part of life’s fabric. They encourage us to decide what technology will—and won’t—do in the name of humanity. They reconnect business, living systems, imagination and responsibility in one narrative. In short: a reading list for those who refuse to manage tomorrow’s world with yesterday’s tools.
The Regenerative Shift
This is the must-read white paper for anyone serious about shifting from “sustainability” to regeneration. It offers a clear framework built on 7 core attributes and 7 business archetypes, grounded in 39 pioneering case studies. The starting point is a brutal observation: we are exceeding planetary boundaries. From there, the authors show how companies can strengthen—not deplete—the health of social and ecological systems. It’s both a strategic blueprint and a reality check: a way to assess your regenerative maturity, surface blind spots, and redesign your business model, governance, and local roots. In short: a practical guide to move from good intentions to systemic
Carbon: The Book of Life
This book gives back its true status to carbon: the fabric of life, not just a “pollutant” to erase. We track carbon as the common thread from stars to microbes, from oceans to cities, to see that climate breakdown, collapse of biodiversity, and social injustice are all part of the same story: our economy has broken carbon’s dance. this is a radical invitation to see regeneration not as a CSR option, but as a condition for the survival of our societies and organizations.
For anyone grappling with AI, meaning, and what it all adds up to …
Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI
This one puts AI back in its proper place: a lever to amplify our humanity, not dissolve it. Time to eschew both the tech utopia and the moral panic, and move to a clear-eyed strategy: harness the potential without sacrificing meaning. The author offers two frameworks, OPEN (Outline, Partner, Experiment, Navigate) and CARE (Catastrophize, Assess, Regulate, Exit), as a compass to navigate between innovation, ethics, and safety. Oh, and by the way: he’s a 2025 Thinkers50 finalist
What Matters Next: A Leader’s Guide to Making Human-Friendly Tech Decisions in a World That’s Moving Too Fast
Another 2025 Thinkers50 finalist – and she hands you a compass for making fast decisions without throwing humans under the bus. Turn weak signals into bankable foresights instead of anxiety-inducing slides, and line up strategy, values, and human impact in the face of emerging tech. Her Now–Next continuum helps you sort what deserves a pilot, what must be regulated, and what should be dropped. Who’s taking back the reins now?
How to Be a Living Thing: Meditations on Intuitive Oysters, Hopeful Doves, and Being Human in the World
This one turns animals into life teachers – more effective and practical than many coaches. A bruised and battered cat, a captive orca, gorillas in mourning, mysterious oysters… each becomes a mirror for our fragilities and strengths. You learn to live in the living world with more gentleness, humor, and clarity. A quiet landmark for anyone wanting to find their place again in the web of life, without preaching or moralizing. Pretty good seasonal gift, isn’t it?
Regeneration: Others are talking about it too
L’entreprise régénérative – Prospérer avec le vivant
This work squarely positions companies as key players in the regeneration of living systems, with over 120 concrete examples demonstrating how to link economic performance, social impact, and ecosystem restoration. We’re moving beyond simply “destroying less” and starting to repair. Living systems become our strategic compass, not just CSR storytelling. Business model, HR, finance: everything is re-examined through the lens of regeneration.
L’entreprise robuste – Pour une alternative à la performance
A classic, published a few months ago, that demonstrates how to draw inspiration from the principles of nature (diversity, cooperation, frugality, redundancy) to make a business viable in a world of ecological crises, rather than focusing on optimizing short-term performance. It’s better to learn from nature to absorb shocks than to be in denial about them. You are judged by your ability to withstand uncertainty, not to over-optimize!
Regenerative Economics : Revolutionary Thinking for a World in Crisis,
How do we move from the fantasy of infinite growth to the economics of living systems? Fullerton proposes a macro-level yet directly applicable framework: how to align business and governance models with the principles of living systems (circular loops, planetary boundaries, resilience). The principles of life become the new “Golden Rules” for boards of directors. A manual for radical recalibration!
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