Dr. Jeremy Leggett: 4. New activities - The Asahi Glass Foundation.

4. New activities

Highlands Rewilding Ltd.

Dr. Leggett is currently focused on "rewilding" the nature of the Scottish Highlands, a process of returning it to its original state. This activity is being conducted by Highlands Rewilding Ltd., a company founded by Dr. Leggett.

In 2020, Solarcentury, the solar power company founded by Dr. Leggett, was acquired by a renewable energy company owned by the Norwegian government. As the sale provided him with substantial funds, Dr. Leggett invested in a new initiative that he had been working on for many years.

Dr. Leggett believed that green energy alone was not enough to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Therefore, he turned his attention to restoring nature itself. He thought this would help solve the problem of climate change and biodiversity loss at the same time.

Activities aimed at reviving nature and local communities

The activities at Highlands Rewilding are conducted as a business to ensure sustainability. For example, the company provides data analysis as a professional service to evaluate the results of natural restoration activities, and conducts ecotourism on rewilded land. Dr. Leggett emphasizes the importance of accurately assessing the value of forests and other areas absorbing carbon dioxide as well as the value created by increasing biodiversity, ensuring that the effect is maintained over a long period, and showing the results in a visible way.

Dr. Leggett also believes that cooperation with the people who live in the local communities is essential for the successful restoration of nature. In the Tayvallich region of Scotland's west coast, where Highlands Rewilding operates, local people have formed a team and engage in discussions about the project with Dr. Leggett and others.

One of the specific initiatives is the restoration of temperate rainforests. In the past, temperate rainforests were found throughout western Scotland; but now only a small part of these remains. By reviving the forest, Highlands Rewilding is attempting to reestablish the ability to absorb carbon dioxide and create an environment where many creatures can live.

Land managed by Highlands Rewilding in Scotland
(left: Bunloit, right: Tayvallich Peninsula)

At Highlands Rewilding, Dr. Leggett's goal is to "start small and grow big," just as he did with Solarcentury. Highlands Rewilding is still a long way from being profitable, but he says, "I enjoy my work. I want to cultivate the new field of restoring nature as a reliable business that people can invest in with confidence, and I want to create a future where people can live with hope for the future."

Dr. Leggett today

Dr. Leggett calls himself a workaholic. He doesn't have much time for hobbies; but when he has time, he enjoys taking walks in Scottish nature. He lives with his Japanese wife, Aki, near Inverness, Scotland, where he can see Loch Ness.

Aki is active with the Inverness Symphony Orchestra as the orchestra’s principal flautist. She previously worked for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and has a good understanding of Dr. Leggett's work. According to Aki, Dr. Leggett is very positive and focuses on finding solutions even when faced with difficulties. On the other hand, there is a downside to his commitment to work. He is sometimes so focused on work that he loses track of time. He has missed flights many times while concentrating on work. Aki believes, however, that this is also a strength that enables Dr. Leggett to achieve his goals.

Dr. Leggett with Aki and their pet Whippet, Show.

The direction society should take

Dr. Leggett believes that we should review and revise the global economy. Conventional economic growth involves activities that destroy the earth’s environment. He feels that we should not see such activities as good for growth. We tend to take it for granted that the economy will continue to grow forever. However, if the climate is damaged beyond repair, the prosperity we have built will soon be gone.

This is why our society should strive to build the capacity to confront climate change. We need to change our conventional ways of thinking about how we can achieve prosperity as we pursue green energy and mechanisms that work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Dr. Leggett is confident that such approaches to creating "real prosperity" while protecting both the environment and people’s way of life will definitely spread throughout society.

To the governments of the countries:

"Keep your promise."

The governments of many countries around the world signed the Paris Agreement, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. However, the countries that signed these important agreements have been slow in implementing them. What each country’s government must do now is to keep its promise.

"Stop thinking only about short-term profits."

If the threats that scientists warn of continue and companies don't act now, they risk not being able to continue operating in the future. In other words, taking action against climate change is in the best interests of the business. Still, not many companies really understand this, and many are reluctant to introduce initiatives.

"Do what you can, as much as you can."

Even if you’re busy with work or family and don’t have much time, you can still make difference by doing what you can. I hope that society will change if more and more people act. Such changes can lead to a future where humanity is able to continue to exist.