Regenerating Nature: A Challenge We Can Only Overcome Together

(Written in collaboration with Silvana Becerra Tavano)
 

In today’s world, where climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation are undeniable realities, ecosystem restoration has become an urgent priority. It is no longer just an ecological concern, it is a social, economic, and ethical necessity. 

Regenerating nature is not something that can be done in isolation. It requires collective action, shared responsibility, and powerful collaborations across sectors. Governments, private companies, civil society organizations, academia, and local communities all have critical roles to play. Only through multisectoral alliances can we drive effective and sustainable solutions that restore our ecosystems and secure a livable future for generations to come.

The Need for Regeneration

For decades, environmental efforts have been focused on conservation — protecting natural areas from further harm. While conservation remains vital, it is no longer sufficient. The damage already inflicted on ecosystems across the planet demands a shift toward regeneration. It’s not just about preserving what’s left,it’s about reviving what we’ve lost.

Regeneration involves a wide array of restorative actions: reforesting degraded landscapes with native species, reviving wetlands, restoring soils that have been overexploited, rehabilitating polluted rivers and lakes, and even reintroducing keystone species that help maintain ecological balance. These are not abstract ideas — they are tangible, science-based solutions that, when implemented, create cascading benefits for both people and the planet.

Beyond bringing biodiversity back, ecosystem restoration improves air and water quality, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and builds resilience against climate-related disasters like floods, droughts, and wildfires. It also generates social benefits — green jobs, increased food security, and improved mental and physical health for communities who live in and depend on these ecosystems.

The Power of Multisectoral Partnerships

Despite the urgency and the immense benefits, regeneration efforts often face logistical, financial, and political challenges. That’s why collaborative action is key. No single actor, whether government, company, or NGO, can achieve large-scale ecosystem regeneration alone. We need multisectoral partnerships that align goals, pool resources, and scale impact.

Governments: Laying the Foundation for Change

Public institutions play a foundational role. From establishing legal frameworks to allocating budgets and enforcing environmental regulations, governments create the enabling conditions for regeneration. Forward-thinking policies like tax incentives for sustainable land use, carbon credits for reforestation, or subsidies for nature-based solutions can catalyze transformative projects. Additionally, governments can integrate restoration into national climate adaptation strategies, ensuring that nature is at the heart of resilience planning.

Private Sector: From Responsibility to Regeneration

Companies are increasingly recognizing that long-term business success depends on a healthy environment. Corporate sustainability is no longer just a PR strategy, it’s becoming a core business imperative. Investing in ecosystem restoration allows businesses to reduce their environmental footprint, support local economies, and meet growing consumer demands for ethical practices.

Some companies are already leading the way. For example, BBVA México has partnered with environmental organizations to support restoration projects that not only protect nature but also engage local communities. These types of initiatives show that when companies move from responsibility to regeneration, they create value for both people and the planet.

Civil Society and Local Communities: Guardians of the Land

Environmental NGOs, grassroots movements, and local communities bring invaluable knowledge and energy to the table. They often have deep-rooted relationships with the land, understand local dynamics, and can mobilize collective action faster than large institutions. Community-led restoration projects also tend to be more culturally appropriate, inclusive, and sustainable in the long run. Empowering these groups with training, funding, and political recognition is essential for scalable impact.

Academia and Science: The Evidence Behind Action

No regeneration project can thrive without robust scientific backing. Universities, researchers, and technical experts provide critical insights, monitoring ecosystem health, designing nature-based solutions, and measuring restoration outcomes. Their work ensures that decisions are data-driven and adapted to the unique characteristics of each ecosystem. Furthermore, academia plays a crucial role in educating the next generation of environmental stewards.

Real-World Impact: A Model Worth Replicating

One inspiring example of multisectoral collaboration in action is the work led by Ectagono, Ríos Tarango A.C., and BBVA México. Together, we have launched high-impact ecosystem restoration projects that demonstrate how aligned visions can produce real change.

In Xochimilco, we are restoring traditional chinampa agriculture systems — a centuries-old sustainable farming practice that not only preserves biodiversity but also strengthens food sovereignty. In La Papalota ADVC, community-driven efforts are protecting the jaguar’s natural habitat, blending conservation with cultural heritage. And along the Pacific coast, teams are monitoring sea lion populations and marine ecosystems, ensuring long-term ecological health.

These projects highlight a powerful truth: when communities, businesses, and institutions work together, ecological regeneration becomes a reality — not just a dream.

A Shared Responsibility, A Collective Future

Regenerating ecosystems is not optional — it’s an obligation we all share. And the good news is that the solutions are already in our hands. What’s needed now is the political will, corporate commitment, community engagement, and scientific support to make them scale.

The beauty of ecosystem regeneration lies in its ripple effect. When we invest in nature, we invest in climate resilience, economic opportunity, public health, and social equity, all at once. But to unlock these benefits, we must stop seeing environmental challenges as isolated issues and start addressing them with a systems-thinking mindset, where collaboration is the norm, not the exception.

Whether you’re a policymaker, a business leader, a student, or simply a citizen who loves the planet, your role matters. Support local projects, demand green policies, volunteer in restoration initiatives, or push your workplace toward more sustainable practices. Every action, no matter how small, contributes to a healthier planet.

Regeneration Is the Future

In the end, regenerating nature is about more than restoring landscapes, it’s about redefining our relationship with the Earth. It’s about shifting from exploitation to stewardship, from extractive economies to regenerative systems.

Because loving a place — like loving Mexico — means protecting its ecosystems, honoring its natural wealth, and working together to ensure it thrives. The best investment we can make is in life itself. Regeneration is where it begins.