by Tiptoe Farms

When it comes to creating a sustainable future, there are many individuals and organizations working tirelessly to make it a reality. These individuals are often referred to as bioneers, individuals who actively work to create a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly society through the use of innovative and socially-responsible techniques and technologies.

1. One of the most notable bioneers in the United States is John Todd, an ecologist and inventor who has developed a variety of ecological technologies, including living machines. Living machines are constructed wetlands that use natural processes to treat waste and produce clean water. He is the founder of the New Alchemy Institute and the Ocean Arks International, which are focused on creating sustainable systems for food production, water treatment, and energy conservation. He is the author of several books, including “From Eco-Cities to Living Machines: Principles of Ecological Design” (1994), “The Practical Guide to Ecological Design” (2000), “The Earth’s Natural Wealth: An Audit” (2002), and “Biomimicry for Optimization, Control, and Automation” (2015). He has also contributed to several other publications on topics such as ecological engineering, sustainable design, and water treatment. Todd has been recognized for his work with several awards and honors, such as the Buckminster Fuller Challenge for design and the Volvo Environment Prize for sustainable development. Critics have raised concerns about the practicality and scalability of Todd’s proposed ecological systems, as well as the cost and maintenance required to sustain them. Some have also questioned the effectiveness of certain aspects of his design, such as the use of algae in water treatment systems.

2. David Orr is an American environmental educator, writer, and speaker known for his work on ecological design, sustainability, and climate change. He is the Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics at Oberlin College in Ohio and the founder and director of the Oberlin Project, a community-wide initiative to create a sustainable and economically vibrant future for the city of Oberlin. He is the author of several books, including “The Campus and Environmental Responsibility” (1992), “Earth in Mind: On Education, Environment, and the Human Prospect” (1994), “Hope is an Imperative: The Essential David Orr” (2011), and “Down to the Wire: Confronting Climate Collapse” (2009). Orr has been recognized for his work with several awards and honors, such as the Bioneers Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Wildlife Federation Conservation Achievement Award, and the John C. Sawhill Award for contributions to sustainability. Critics of Orr have raised concerns about the feasibility of some of his proposals for sustainability and the potential costs of implementing them, as well as the lack of specific details in some of his ideas. Some have also questioned the effectiveness of some of his proposed solutions to climate change, such as his emphasis on education and changing individual behavior as a means to address the problem.

3. Dr. Janine Benyus is an American biologist and science writer known for her work in biomimicry, a field that studies nature’s models to solve human problems. She is the author of the book “Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature” which was published in 1997, and has been recognized as a major contribution in the field of biomimicry. She is also the co-founder and president of the Biomimicry Institute, a non-profit organization that promotes the study and use of biomimicry in various industries, including architecture, engineering, and design. Benyus has also written several other books on the topic of biomimicry and sustainability, including “The Biomimicry Manual: A Guide to Nature’s Genius” (2020), “Biomimicry: Designing to Model Nature” (2010), and “Biomimicry in Action: Innovations Inspired by Nature” (2015). She has been recognized for her work with several awards and honors, such as the Heinz Award for the Environment, the National Design Award for Interaction Design, and the Bioneers Lifetime Achievement Award. Critics of Benyus’ work have raised concerns about the feasibility of some of the solutions proposed through biomimicry and the potential for it to be used as a marketing tool rather than a genuine solution. Some have also questioned the applicability of biomimicry to certain fields and its scalability for large-scale issues such as climate change.

4. Dr. Wes Jackson is an American agroecologist, author, and environmental activist, who is best known for his work in sustainable agriculture and his founding of The Land Institute, an organization dedicated to developing an agricultural system with the ecological stability of the prairie and a grain yield comparable to that from annual crops. He has been the president of The Land Institute since its inception in 1976. Dr. Jackson has written several books on sustainable agriculture and related topics, including “Nature as Measure: The Selected Essays of Wes Jackson” (2011), “Becoming Native to This Place” (1994), and “New Roots for Agriculture” (1980). He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Right Livelihood Award (1987) and the John Muir Award (1990). Critics of Dr. Jackson’s work have raised concerns about the practicality and feasibility of his proposed agricultural system, arguing that it may not be able to meet the food needs of a growing population. Some have also criticized him for not providing enough scientific evidence for his claims and for not considering the economic realities of farming.

5. Joel Salatin is an American farmer, author, and lecturer, known for his work on sustainable and regenerative farming practices. He is the owner and operator of Polyface Farm in Virginia, USA, which is a diversified, grass-based farm that raises beef, pork, poultry, and eggs using regenerative farming practices. He is the author of several books, including “Salad Bar Beef” (1998), “You Can Farm: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Start and Succeed in a Farming Enterprise” (1998), and “Folks, This Ain’t Normal: How We’ve Lost Touch with Nature and What We Can Do About It” (2011). He is also a popular speaker and consultant on sustainable and regenerative farming practices, and his farm is open to visitors for tours and workshops. He describes himself as a “Christian libertarian environmentalist capitalist lunatic farmer.” Some critics have raised concerns that Salatin’s farming methods may spread disease among livestock and may have a negative environmental impact by using non-native species.

6. John D. Liu is an American ecologist, filmmaker, and lecturer, known for his work on large-scale ecological restoration projects. He is the founder of the Environmental Education Media Project and has produced several films on large-scale ecological restoration, including “Green Gold” (2008) and “Hope in a Changing Climate” (2012). He is a popular speaker on the topic of large-scale ecological restoration and has consulted on various projects around the world. Some critics have argued that the scalability of large-scale ecological restoration projects proposed by Liu may be questionable and may lead to unintended negative consequences for local communities and ecosystems.

7. Dr. Paul Stamets is an American mycologist, author, and entrepreneur, known for his work on the medicinal properties of mushrooms and the use of mushrooms for environmental restoration. He is the founder of Fungi Perfecti, a company that sells mushroom-based products for medicinal and environmental use. He is the author of several books, including “Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World” (2005) and “Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms” (2000). He is also a popular speaker and consultant on the medicinal and environmental uses of mushrooms. Some critics have raised concerns about the scientific validity of Dr. Paul Stamets’ claims about the medicinal properties of mushrooms, and potential overharvesting of wild mushrooms in his business practices, also potential negative consequences of his suggested uses of mushrooms in environmental restoration.

Other notable bioneers around the world are:

8. Dr. Allan Savory is a Zimbabwean ecologist, author, and speaker, known for his work on holistic management, a system of managing grazing lands, wildlife, and water resources. He is the founder of the Savory Institute, a non-profit organization that promotes holistic management. He is the author of several books, including “Holistic Management: A New Framework for Decision Making” (1998),  “Holistic Management: A New Framework for Decision Making” (1999), “Holistic Resource Management: A New Synthesis” (2010), and “The Grazing Revolution: A Radical Plan to Save the Earth” (2018). Dr. Savory has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Right Livelihood Award (2013) and the Buckminster Fuller Challenge (2011). Critics of Dr. Savory’s work have raised concerns about the scientific validity of his claims and the practicality of implementing his proposed method of grazing management. Additionally, some doubt that his proposed methods are not sustainable in the long term.

1. Dr. Vandana Shiva is an Indian environmental activist and author known for her work in sustainable agriculture and opposition to genetically modified organisms (GMOs). She is the founder of the Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology (RFSTE), an organization that works on various environmental and social issues. She is also the founder of Navdanya, an organization that promotes organic farming and seed sovereignty in India, and Navdanya International. Dr. Shiva has written several books on the topics of sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and food sovereignty, including “Soil Not Oil” (2008), “Staying Alive: Women, Ecology and Development” (1989), and “Water Wars: Privatization, Pollution, and Profit” (2002). She has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the Right Livelihood Award (1993) and the Global 500 Roll of Honor of the United Nations Environment Programme (1993). Water Wars: Privatization, Pollution, and Profit (2002) criticizes corporations for attempting to privatize water resources. Critics of Dr. Shiva’s work have raised concerns about her opposition to GMOs and her promotion of organic farming, arguing that GMOs have the potential to increase crop yields and reduce poverty in developing countries. Some have also criticized her for not providing scientific evidence for her claims and for using emotive language to make her point.