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Can our actions really come back to haunt us or bless us? According to Josh Whiton, the founder of MakeSoil.org, the answer is a resounding YES!
Josh Whiton and Dr. Frank Sabatino delved into the crucial significance of soil health and its profound impact on the environment and human wellbeing.
Whiton’s journey, a fusion of technology and a deep love for nature, has led him on a transformative path towards advocating for local, organic, and pesticide-free produce in the food system.
Drawing inspiration from the Gaia Principle, conceptualized by James Lovelock, Whiton views Earth as a self-regulating organism interconnected through geological and biological processes.
Troubles faced by the planet, he believes, can be interpreted as an inflammatory response, a signal of Earth’s urgent need for restoration.
MakeSoil.org, a charitable and nonprofit initiative, embodies Whiton’s commitment to connect composting enthusiasts worldwide and foster a profound connection with Earth’s wellbeing.
The platform facilitates the exchange of composting expertise and food scraps, creating new living soil in the process. This not only contributes to Earth’s restoration but also inspires positive behaviors like choosing organic produce and reducing waste.
Whiton’s fascination with technology extends beyond soil regeneration. He is intrigued by the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to address societal challenges and align industries with environmental goals. AI’s capacity to process vast amounts of information and offer innovative solutions has the potential to usher in a golden age of positive evolution.
Whiton acknowledges the ethical concerns surrounding AI misuse and manipulation. Ensuring AI safety with fail-safes remains an ongoing challenge, demanding responsible action from humanity.
At the core of MakeSoil.org lies community-driven efforts to restore ecological harmony. By encouraging individuals to contribute their food scraps to local composting sites, the initiative fosters resilient and sustainable communities. With over a thousand such sites globally, the movement aims to decentralize and distribute the composting initiative to every corner of the world.
Whiton emphasizes that the plant-based community should become allies in regenerating the planet. While plant-based diets have improved human health, he urges individuals to take it a step further by actively composting food scraps and actively participating in Earth’s restoration.
Looking towards the future, Whiton envisions AI technology evolving to mimic human responses, powered by extensive data. While this development poses ethical dilemmas, he remains optimistic about responsible AI use leading to positive change.
Josh Whiton’s MakeSoil.org initiative conveys a powerful message: to restore harmony with the planet, humanity must begin from the ground up.
By connecting people to the living soil beneath their feet and fostering a collective effort to regenerate the Earth, a healthier and sustainable future for both humanity and the planet can be secured.
Episode Highlights
[02:30] The inflammatory response of the earth requires transformative changes
[03:30] Josh Whiton’s tech startup gave him the financial freedom to pursue his life’s work
[09:00] The spiritual connection of humans and the earth
[11:00] The power of food scraps in repairing and restoring the planet
[14:30] Food scraps create community
[17:20] Going beyond just the soil into the domino effect
[21:00] What’s happening to our water is shocking
[26:30] How AI (artificial intelligence) is impacting the work of regenerative processes
[28:00] AI is not the threat to humanity… humans are the greatest threat
About Josh Whiton
Josh Whiton is a regenerative technologist working to repair the Planet and our relationship to it.
At the age of 23, he founded a tech-startup that improved public transit usage, reduced car dependency, and created jobs while reducing fossil fuel emissions and the carbon footprint of millions. It was later acquired by the Ford Motor Company and became Ford Smart Mobility.
For his positive contributions to society and the environment, Josh was named Champion of Change by the Obama administration. He was also awarded a Global Impact Visa by the New Zealand government, and his work has been highlighted by Fast Company magazine as among the world’s most innovative.
One of his latest initiatives is helping communities worldwide to establish a more beautiful food system by creating new living soil together. Now in 70+ countries and growing, people can participate in creating a more sustainable, resilient, and distributed food system at MakeSoil.org. Josh also co-founded one of the first urban farms in the southeastern United States. Still in operation today, the urban farm helps thousands of people each year to participate in and benefit from local food production.
Josh is an avid writer, speaker, and builder of technology, and continues to explore the implications of technology on humanity and nature. He also shares original and compelling insights about the nature of artificial intelligence on Substack.
Learn more about Josh at: www.makesoil.org and www.joshwhiton.com
Social Media handles:
IG: @joshwhiton @makesoil
Twitter: @joshwhiton @makesoil
FB: https://www.facebook.com/josh.whiton and https://www.facebook.com/MakeSoil
About Dr. Frank Sabatino
As a recognized authority on the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle, Dr. Frank Sabatino has cared for and inspired thousands of people for over 40 years. Dr. Sabatino has a PhD in cell biology and neuroendocrinology and has done extensive landmark research on calorie restriction, stress, and aging. He currently is on staff at the TrueNorth Health Foundation in Santa Rosa, CA, and serves as the Director of Health Education at the NHA.
Dr. Sabatino’s passion and life’s work include raising awareness about the benefits of whole-food, plant-exclusive nutrition (without added salt, oil, or sugar), health rejuvenation, stress management.
About NHA
The National Health Association (NHA), founded in 1948, is a nonprofit organization that promotes the benefits of a plant-based diet. The Association provides educational materials, educational events, and services to thousands of people around the world.
The mission of the National Health Association is to educate and empower individuals to understand that health results from healthful living. The NHA recognizes the integration of all aspects of health: personal, environmental, and social.
The NHA also provides travel experiences around the globe through the NHA Plant-Based Travel and cruise division.
More information: https://www.healthscience.org/
Scholarships
A unique benefit of the NHA Conference is the selection of two medical students who receive a full scholarship to the conference.
Contact Wanda Huberman for more information on how to apply for the scholarship. [email protected]
NHA membership
For a very nominal investment, you can enjoy incredible benefits of the NHA membership.
Members of the NHA enjoy a subscription to the award-winning quarterly health journal, Health Science, access to the “Members Only” section of the NHA Website (which contains all 43 years of back issues of the magazine), the ability to download for free many classic out of print eBooks on the history of the Natural Hygiene Movement, including Fasting Can Save Your Life and The Greatest Health Discovery, discounts on books, and early notice of the NHA events.
Only $35 a year for basic membership within the United States. https://www.healthscience.org/join-renew/