EP44: Allan Savory – Why We're Solving The Wrong Problems

“Most people are good. I really believe that. Most people are doing their best. Then you have to ask yourself, not just in agriculture, but in every field, well, if so many people mean well, why is so much going wrong?”Many of the world’s biggest environmental, social, and economic problems may not be caused by bad people or a lack of scientific knowledge. They may stem from the way large institutions make decisions. This episode explores the difference between treating symptoms and addressing root causes, challenging conventional thinking around science, governance, biodiversity loss, agriculture, and civilization itself. Rather than focusing on isolated solutions, the discussion centers on understanding the systems that shape human behavior and ecological outcomes.Allan Savory argues that many environmental and social crises stem from the way institutions develop policy rather than from a lack of knowledge or good intentions. Drawing on experiences as an ecologist, farmer, parliamentarian, and founder of holistic management, he discusses scientific dogma, biodiversity loss, the limitations of modern political systems, and the ideas behind his new memoir, UnSavory. Allan challenges listeners to think beyond regenerative agriculture alone and consider how decision-making structures influence the future of civilization itself.Allan is a Zimbabwean ecologist, farmer, former parliamentarian, and founder of holistic management. Trained in zoology and botany, he spent decades studying wildlife, grassland ecosystems, and desertification, leading to groundbreaking work in regenerative land management. After serving as a Member of Parliament and opposition leader during Zimbabwe’s civil war, he was exiled in 1979 and continued developing his ideas internationally. Allan later co-founded both the Africa Centre for Holistic Management and the Savory Institute. His TED Talk on holistic grazing has been viewed more than 9 million times, and his 2026 memoir, UnSavory: African Stories of Wildlife, War, and the Birth of Holistic Management, explores the experiences that shaped his life’s work.Learn more & connect:Allan Savory TED Talk: How to Fight Desertification and Reverse Climate ChangeSavory InstituteUnSavory: African Stories of Wildlife, War, and the Birth of Holistic ManagementAfrica Centre for Holistic ManagementAllan Savory Uncensored BlogDiscover more about Regenerative design at Paulownia Landscape Architects.Dive into the Twelve Laws of Nature and unlock the secrets of harmonizing with our planet.Fulfill your garden aspirations with expert guidance from the Garden of Your Dreams masterclass.Ready to take actionable steps towards your dream garden? Book a complimentary 30-minute training session with Matthieu for immediate results.