TERRA Associate Laboratory Hosts Debate on the Documentary “Regenerating Life”

March 18, 2025

The TERRA Associate Laboratory recently organized a debate on the documentary Regenerating Life – How to Cool the Planet, Feed the World, and Live Happily Ever After, a film that proposes a new ecological approach to understanding and addressing the environmental and social crises of our time. The debate, moderated by Patrícia Azevedo da Silva (Translator, Editor, and Anthropologist), featured the participation of John Feldman (film director), Sheila Silver (composer of the film’s soundtrack), Paulo Branco (CEO of TERRA Associate Laboratory), and Filipa Monteiro (researcher at TERRA Associated Laboratory). The debate is now available on YouTube and the official TERRA website.

The documentary Regenerating Life challenges the prevailing narrative on climate change, arguing that the biosphere plays a central role in regulating the planet’s climate and temperature. According to the film, the destruction of natural ecosystems, including living soils, forests, and small water cycles, directly contributes to the climate crisis. Mining and the burning of fossil fuels exacerbate this scenario. However, the documentary also presents concrete and feasible solutions. Ecosystem regeneration, land coverage with plants, and the revitalization of forests and fields are strategies that can help reduce the greenhouse effect, cool the planet, restore water resources, ensure healthy food, and strengthen communities.

The film is divided into three key sections:

Water Cools the Planet – explores the relationship between water and global climate.
Life Sustains the Climate – highlights the role of ecosystems in climate regulation.
Small Farms Feed the World – addresses sustainable solutions in food production.

The debate hosted by the TERRA Associate Laboratory sparked important reflections on these issues and emphasized the urgency of transitioning to more sustainable practices. For those interested in delving deeper into the topic, the full debate is available online on the TERRA website.