Mark Everard 
Rebuilding the Earth 
Regenerating our planet’s life support systems for a sustainable future

Rebuilding the Earth highlights humanity’s interdependence with the planet’s ecosystems. Today, these ecosystems are seriously degraded, compromising future security and opportunity. It is essential that we set about rebuilding the metaphorical ‘ark’ of nature upon which our future prospects depend. Central to this book are several case studies of regenerative approaches drawn from every continent on the planet. These approaches are founded on restoration and protection of ecosystems – water and soil, forests, marine and coastal resources, urban infrastructure, farming practices and in corporate supply chains. 






Rebuilding the Earth is above all optimistic about the daunting challenges facing global society. It is about culture change, addressing the necessity of and the means for putting nature and people back into the heart of societal thinking, policy and action. It advocates for sustainable development in its deepest green sense, but also pragmatically framed in social, technological, governance and economic contexts. The concluding message is “Yes, we can!” 

Table of Content

Part 1: Introduction.- 2 Part 2: Nature’s sinking ark.- 3 Part 3: Rebuilding the ark.- 4 Part 4: Our conjoined future.- 5 Part 5: A systemic decision-support framework.- 6 Epilogue: Rebuilding the ark – Yes, we can!.

About the author

Mark Everard is a prolific author, broadcaster and scientist. He is an expert on ecosystem services and the ecosystem-based regeneration of rural livelihoods in both the developing and developed world, with a special interest in water. Mark’s activities span five continents in academic, consultancy, government advisory and policy advocacy roles.