Discover Environmental Solutions from Soil to Sea: Regenerative Agriculture and Climate Action Lessons from Arizona State University

What happens when two generations of environmental leaders sit down in front of a room full of students, researchers, and community members to talk honestly about the state of the planet? At Arizona State University’s Walton Center for Planetary Health, the answer was a candid, practical, and surprisingly hopeful discussion about what is actually working in the fight against climate change.

The first Wrigley Conversation, hosted by the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, brought together Laura Turner Seydel, chair of the Turner Foundation, and her daughter Vasser Seydel, president of The Oxygen Project, for a wide-ranging dialogue on regenerative agriculture, ocean protection, and climate action. Moderated by Amanda Ellis, director of strategic partnerships and network for the Julie Ann Wrigley Futures Laboratory, the event offered a rare window into how families, institutions, and communities can work across generations to deliver measurable environmental solutions.

For students, professionals, and anyone concerned about the trajectory of the planet in the USA and beyond, the conversation carried lessons that extend far beyond a single evening in Tempe, Arizona. Below is a breakdown of the key takeaways and what they mean for anyone ready to move from concern to action.

Why Intergenerational Dialogue Matters for Climate Action

Climate change is often framed as a problem handed from one generation to the next, but the Seydels’ appearance at Arizona State University demonstrated a different model: generations working alongside each other, each bringing distinct strengths to the table.

Laura Turner Seydel spoke about her father, Ted Turner, who launched CNN, pledged $1 billion to United Nations causes through the creation of the U.N. Foundation, and used media to build environmental awareness through the animated series “Captain Planet and the Planeteers.” “He really thought that the U.N. was a place where the world could come together and solve the biggest issues of our time,” she told the audience.

Her daughter Vasser, a third-generation conservationist, represents a younger approach — one rooted in digital storytelling, movement-building, and elevating the voices of communities on the front lines of environmental harm. Their exchange showed that effective climate action does not belong exclusively to veterans or newcomers. It requires both institutional knowledge and fresh perspectives, held together by shared commitments.

For readers wondering how to engage meaningfully, the lesson is clear: seek out mentorship in both directions. Experienced advocates have institutional memory and networks; younger leaders bring urgency, new tools, and cultural fluency. Environmental solutions accelerate when these groups collaborate rather than operate in silos.

Regenerative Agriculture: Why “It’s Not the Cow, It’s the How”

One of the most compelling moments of the evening came when Laura Turner Seydel described a shift in her own thinking. Growing up in a family devoted to restoring bison and protecting wildlands, she once viewed cattle as a primary driver of land degradation. Overgrazing, after all, has visibly damaged rangelands across the American West.

That view changed after she watched a film by Peter Byck, Professor of Practice at Arizona State University, about soil health. Her conclusion, delivered as a memorable refrain to the audience: “It’s not the cow, it’s the how.”

This distinction sits at the heart of regenerative agriculture, a set of land management practices designed to rebuild soil organic matter, restore biodiversity, and improve the water cycle. Rather than asking whether livestock belongs on the land, regenerative agriculture asks how animals, plants, and soil can be managed as an interconnected system.

Managed Grazing in Practice

On Turner family ranches, managed grazing is used to mimic the movement patterns of the bison herds that once roamed the Great Plains. Animals graze a paddock intensively for a short period, then move on, giving the land an extended rest to recover and regenerate.

The results, according to Seydel, have been tangible. “Five years later, our land is more drought resistant, flood resistant, heat resistant,” she said. “The native plant species are making a comeback.”

These outcomes matter enormously in a warming climate. Landscapes with healthy soil act as sponges, absorbing rainfall rather than shedding it, and retaining moisture through dry spells. Soil also stores carbon, which means regenerative practices can contribute to climate action while simultaneously improving agricultural productivity. For farmers, ranchers, and landowners in the USA, this represents a rare win-win: practices that build resilience against extreme weather while potentially improving the bottom line.

What Readers Can Learn from This Shift

The broader lesson is about intellectual humility. Seydel changed her mind when presented with evidence — and that willingness to update assumptions is a prerequisite for progress on any environmental issue. If you hold firm beliefs about what causes climate problems or what solutions are viable, it is worth examining the latest research before dismissing approaches you may have written off years ago.

To learn more about how leading institutions are preparing the next generation of sustainability leaders, explore the degree programs and research initiatives offered through the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University. Its work spans food systems, water policy, and climate science, connecting academic research directly to on-the-ground practice.

Storytelling as a Driver of Environmental Solutions: The Groundswell Documentary

Data alone rarely changes behavior. Stories do. That principle shaped “Groundswell,” a new documentary on Amazon Prime that the Seydels helped produce — Laura Turner Seydel as executive producer and Vasser Seydel as co-producer. The film focuses on regenerative agriculture and is tied to an impact campaign aimed at moving more farmland into regenerative practices across the country.

The documentary premiered in a screening at Arizona State University, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Amanda Ellis and featuring the Seydels, Peter Byck, Nita Blum-Reddick of The Sidney Poitier New American Film School, and Kathleen Merrigan, executive director of the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems.

Vasser Seydel emphasized that the campaign behind the film is designed to help viewers move from passive concern to concrete action. “Not everyone has to be a farmer,” she said. “We just need to go find our farmers in our local communities, have a relationship with them, understand what their challenges are (and find) out ways to support them.”

This reframing is important. Many people assume that meaningful climate action requires a career change or technical expertise. The Seydels’ message suggests otherwise: consumers, professionals, and community members all have levers they can pull. Buying from regenerative farms, advocating for soil health policies, and simply knowing where your food comes from all count as environmental solutions.

If you want to see these ideas in action, watch “Groundswell” on Amazon Prime and consider organizing a viewing with your class, workplace, or community group. Documentaries like this work best as conversation starters, not passive entertainment.

From Soil to Sea: Ocean Protection and the Fight Against Deep Sea Mining

The conversation at Arizona State University deliberately extended beyond land. Vasser Seydel described her work with The Oxygen Project, which uses storytelling, education, and movement-building to support communities confronting environmental threats, as well as her role on the board of Mission Blue, an organization dedicated to protecting critical marine ecosystems around the world.

A central focus of her ocean advocacy is opposing deep sea mining, an emerging industry that threatens some of the least understood ecosystems on Earth. Her position reflects a growing consensus among marine scientists that extracting minerals from the seafloor could cause damage we cannot yet fully predict — or reverse.

Her core argument deserves emphasis: climate action cannot be separated from ocean protection, Indigenous knowledge, or the leadership of the communities most affected by environmental harm. The ocean absorbs a substantial share of the heat and carbon dioxide generated by human activity, making its health inseparable from any credible climate strategy.

For readers who want to support ocean-focused environmental solutions, organizations like Mission Blue identify and champion “Hope Spots” — marine areas critical to the health of the ocean. Learning about these areas, supporting their protection, and amplifying the work of coastal and Indigenous communities are all accessible entry points.

Students and Community Voices Shape the Future of Climate Action

One of the most striking features of the Wrigley Conversation was the active role played by students. Eleven ASU students read from the Parliamentarians’ Global Guide to Climate Change and Climate Solutions during the program, and audience members pressed the panelists with pointed questions.

Their reflections captured why events like this matter. Serene Lu, a sophomore at Barrett, The Honors College studying international relations and business law, said the most inspiring part was “seeing how young people have the opportunity to really speak up on the issues and work with our elders and ancestors.” Anya Kannan, a fourth-year global studies and business entrepreneurship major, added that “sustainability isn’t true sustainability unless we’re including the voices of people that it’s affecting.”

Kannan’s point is one that institutions and organizations would be wise to internalize. Equitable climate action — action that centers the people bearing the heaviest burdens of environmental damage — produces more durable and legitimate outcomes than top-down approaches. Whether you work in government, business, education, or nonprofit leadership, building community input into environmental decision-making is not optional; it is essential.

If you are a student considering how to turn environmental concern into a career, explore sustainability-focused programs and research opportunities at Arizona State University, where initiatives like the Wrigley Conversation are designed to connect learners directly with practitioners. Have questions about a specific program or research area? Reach out to the relevant department — most are eager to hear from prospective students and community partners.

Practical Environmental Solutions You Can Start Today

The Wrigley Conversation succeeded because it moved beyond abstraction. Drawing on the themes discussed, here are concrete steps any reader can take:

• Support regenerative agriculture locally. Visit a farmers market, join a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program, and ask growers about their soil practices. Building relationships with local farmers is one of the most direct ways to influence land management.
• Watch and share solutions-focused media. Films like “Groundswell” exist precisely because storytelling moves people. Share them with your network and use them to start conversations.
• Learn how grazing and soil health connect to climate. Follow the work of researchers like Peter Byck at Arizona State University, whose films and studies document real-world outcomes of managed grazing.
• Engage with ocean protection efforts. Follow organizations like Mission Blue and The Oxygen Project, and stay informed about policy debates such as deep sea mining regulations.
• Mentor across generations. If you are experienced in your field, offer guidance to younger advocates. If you are early in your journey, seek out mentors — and do not hesitate to share your own perspective with senior colleagues.
• Center affected communities. Before launching any environmental initiative, ask who is most impacted and ensure they have a seat at the table from day one.

None of these steps requires wealth, technical credentials, or a career change. They require attention, relationships, and follow-through.

The Road Ahead: Turning Momentum into Meaningful Change

Philanthropist Julie Ann Wrigley, whose early investment helped launch Arizona State University’s sustainability work and laid the foundation for the Global Futures Laboratory, attended the event and posed questions to the panelists. Her presence underscored a final theme of the evening: lasting environmental solutions are built through sustained commitment — financial, intellectual, and personal — over decades, not news cycles.

The conversation between Laura Turner Seydel and Vasser Seydel offered a model of what that commitment looks like in practice. It looks like changing your mind when the evidence demands it. It looks like producing films that move audiences to act. It looks like defending the ocean and listening to Indigenous leaders. And it looks like two generations standing on the same stage, agreeing that the work is urgent and the tools are already in hand.

From soil to sea, the solutions discussed at Arizona State University are taking root now. What they need next is more people willing to carry them forward.

Your turn: Share your experiences with regenerative agriculture, ocean conservation, or local climate action in the comments below. And explore our related articles for further reading on sustainability research, food systems, and environmental policy.