totel.ly & UN Decade of Restoration

To achieve the transformative impact we are aiming for, we recognise we cannot do it alone. We take our cue from nature, where ecosystems are built upon the cooperation and thriving of all species. The more individuals and organisations we can align with, the more we can collaborate, network and co-create. The greatest impact comes from working together.

Sustainable> Restorative> Regenerative

totel.ly’s development and intentions are inspired by the work of Daniel Christian Wahl. His regenerative design model moves us beyond sustainability and towards restoration and regeneration. Restoring back, what humans have damaged and working with nature further to ensure a resilient future. To us, we are embarking upon a journey: a journey without an end. The very meaning of regeneration is to continuously evolve and renew. The process is open- ended and inclusive. This post is a celebration of this process and our chance to share our restoration partnerships and commitments with you. We hope you see possibility and connection with our goals and hopes for positive impact.

Totel.ly’s Restoration Goals

Image: United Nations, Department for Economic and Social Affairs, SDG 15

Restoration is also referred to as conservation. It is seen for example in ecosystems restoration work like restoring the wetlands and forests.

In our first 6–12 months, we will actively advocate ecosystem restoration through our articles and social media. Our Impact commitment aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: ‘Life on Land.

Enquiry and involvement with the local community’s restoration journey is where we begin. Starting in Iceland, our learning is all to serve our aim to support local regeneration and collaboration. In the long term, our support involves initiatives (and funds towards) that restore the soil and reforestation of the natural forests in Iceland. Our audacious goal is, partnered with individuals and organisations, to co-create thriving ecosystems in Iceland. Ecosystems which resemble conditions prior to human settlement. #fyrirlandnám

In the Movement #GenerationRestoration

totel.ly has committed to support the United Nations decade on ecosystem restoration movement. Anyone can support the movement as an individual or organization. We reviewed their strategy and commit to the following:

Empower a Global Movement:

We aim to inspire awareness of ecosystems restoration in our totellers’ local bioregion.

Finance Restoration on the Ground:

We aim to financially contribute 51% of our profits in the foreseeable future to circular and regenerative projects. This includes ecosystems restoration projects.

Celebrate Leadership:

We believe we can all be leaders in this movement simply by making small actions in our local areas.

Shift Behaviours:

totel.ly’s mission reads: “We co-create our future with every small intentional action. The future we’re aiming for is one where we participate in a circular and regenerative culture, where everybody thrives. Each action today, no matter how small, contributes to this emerging future.” Our mission is to collectively shift our behaviours towards a future that includes restoration and regeneration as a common way of being, one step at a time.

Build up the Next Generation:

We do not directly work with youth but we do include parents amongst our totellers. We aim to offer courses directly to assist parents to nurture, with their children, the awareness and stewardship of their local bioregion.

Counting Down to Restoring Earth: How Do We Get There?

In January 2021, Ecosystems Restorations Camps hosted a symposium, inspired by Restoration Ecologist Jim Laurie of Biodiversity for a Living Climate. In his paper, Scenario 300, he outlines ways in which ecosystem restoration can be used to bring levels of atmospheric carbon back down to 300 ppm by 2061.

Presentations by Jim Laurie, Precious Phiri of Regeneration International and Daniel Christian Wahl, outline visions and milestones for how to achieve the UN decade of ecosystem restoration. They go further and look out towards 2030, through 2040, 2050 and 2060, mapping the necessary milestones, and achievements. They inspire an overwhelming sense of possibility.

The totel.ly team watched the symposium and were awe struck by the details presented and by how achievable the goals are for each decade. Made possible, if we collectively (individuals, NGOs, companies, government) work together, in reference to a common road map and vision. It was as if being guided step by step on what we need to focus on. We urge world leaders to hear their message. We will certainly be referring to these steps again when we review our local restoration efforts.

If looking for hope and tools for the future, do check out the symposium and the United Nations Decade of Restoration. The promise of possibility is powerful :)