People
// Hidden Stories Series
A spotlight on Tim Smit: Merging business acumen with environmental advocacy
October 16, 2023
Co-founder of Eden Project and Executive Vice Chair of EPL
Sir Tim Smit KBE was born in Holland on 25 September 1954. He read Archaeology and Anthropology at Durham University. Tim worked for ten years in the music industry as composer/producer in both rock music and opera.
Website: www.edenproject.com
Twitter: @EdenProject
Instagram: @edenprojectcornwall
Facebook: @theedenproject
Twitter: @EdenProject
Instagram: @edenprojectcornwall
Facebook: @theedenproject
Climate Change
Sustainability
Economic Justice
Spotlight
Tim Smit, the visionary behind the Eden Project, transforms landscapes and minds by intertwining nature, architecture, and sustainability.
Sitting in a packed hall at Blue Earth Summit, next on the agenda is Sir Tim Smit—a Dutch-born British businessman who jointly helped create the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and co-founded the Eden Project in Cornwall.
Upon first appearances, Smit looks like many of the speakers I’ve heard before; white, male, over 50, and as he enters the stage, he tightly clutches a ream of paper that deceives you into thinking you’re about to be on the tale end of a rant on some niche subject for the next 45 minutes.
I reach into my complimentary tote bag—the token giveaway that you’re at an event that cares enough for the planet not to use plastic, but not enough to realise that at home you have a tote full of totes already, and probably don’t need yet another—grab some water and glance at the schedule to see what I’m currently missing elsewhere, and my eyes begin to glaze over at the thought of lunch.
Then, Smit opens his mouth…and the room erupts in laughter.
You cannot have the right to operate if your company is managed in a way that is treasonous to future generations.
Smit, Blue Earth Summit 2023
Lively, witty, and with an innate ability to capture the energy and enthusiasm of the room with one disarming anecdote, you’re truly hooked from the get-go
For Smit is far from what his cover and appearance suggest. Lively, witty, and with an innate ability to capture the energy and enthusiasm of the room with one disarming anecdote, you’re truly hooked from the get-go. He displays a rare gift in taking often complex and concerning subjects and turning them into something anyone can relate and connect with; doling out home truths and self deprecation as if you’re best friends and have known him for years.
From there, it’s a relatively easy ride. A ripple of intrigue begins to spread through the audience and the glint in Smit’s eye betrays his knowledge that he’s got you. Now the real message begins to emerge.
Behind this facade, it’s clear that he is not just a stage performer. His charm offers a mechanism through which to not simply entertain, but also enlighten. His passion for what he terms “green enlightenment” is palpable; it’s a concept that goes beyond simple awareness of the environment and dives deep into a fundamental reimagining of our relationship with our planet.
He paints a vivid picture of how society has traditionally viewed and treated the Earth’s resources. Historically, humanity has taken a utilitarian approach to the environment, moulding it to fit our immediate needs, often at the expense of long-term sustainability. Forests cleared for agriculture, rivers dammed or redirected for urban needs, and vast tracts of land exploited for short-term gains have been the norm.
But Smit challenges this view. He talks about how the land, if listened to and understood, can teach us much about balance and sustainability; emphasising the stories written in every patch of earth, every flowing river—tales of harmony, resilience, and coexistence. It’s not about bending nature to our will, but about understanding its rhythms and aligning our actions with them.
Smit also speaks compellingly about water, drawing attention to its cyclical nature, its sanctity, and its crucial role in sustaining life. In his view, every drop should be valued, not just for its immediate utility, but for its role in the intricate web of life.
His message isn’t so much new, as starkly clear: the way we’ve managed water in the past, often wastefully and without foresight, needs a radical overhaul.
From there, it’s a relatively easy ride. A ripple of intrigue begins to spread through the audience and the glint in Smit’s eye betrays his knowledge that he’s got you. Now the real message begins to emerge.
Behind this facade, it’s clear that he is not just a stage performer. His charm offers a mechanism through which to not simply entertain, but also enlighten. His passion for what he terms “green enlightenment” is palpable; it’s a concept that goes beyond simple awareness of the environment and dives deep into a fundamental reimagining of our relationship with our planet.
He paints a vivid picture of how society has traditionally viewed and treated the Earth’s resources. Historically, humanity has taken a utilitarian approach to the environment, moulding it to fit our immediate needs, often at the expense of long-term sustainability. Forests cleared for agriculture, rivers dammed or redirected for urban needs, and vast tracts of land exploited for short-term gains have been the norm.
But Smit challenges this view. He talks about how the land, if listened to and understood, can teach us much about balance and sustainability; emphasising the stories written in every patch of earth, every flowing river—tales of harmony, resilience, and coexistence. It’s not about bending nature to our will, but about understanding its rhythms and aligning our actions with them.
Smit also speaks compellingly about water, drawing attention to its cyclical nature, its sanctity, and its crucial role in sustaining life. In his view, every drop should be valued, not just for its immediate utility, but for its role in the intricate web of life.
His message isn’t so much new, as starkly clear: the way we’ve managed water in the past, often wastefully and without foresight, needs a radical overhaul.
Smit doesn't shy away from acknowledging the challenges. But the payoff, in terms of long-term sustainability and global health, is immeasurable.
However, the highlight of his perspective lies in how he frames the challenge of climate change. Rather than presenting it as a daunting obstacle, he paints it as a unique opportunity—particularly for the business world. Tackling the climate crisis, he argues, doesn’t mean looking backward with nostalgia but rather forward with innovation and ambition.
He draws attention to the burgeoning sectors of renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, green architecture, and eco-tourism. Each of these, he posits, is not just an industry of the future but a testament to what’s achievable when businesses align with environmental imperatives.
The Eden Project stands as a testament to this philosophy, he reflects. Transforming an exhausted clay pit into a global garden and educational hub was no small feat. But it also serves as a case study in eco-centric entrepreneurship. It’s proof that environmentalism and business need not be at odds; that with vision and tenacity, they can synergise to create something both profitable and planet-friendly.
Smit doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the challenges. Yes, transitioning to a green economy will require investments, innovations, and perhaps a redefinition of what we consider “success.” But the payoff, in terms of long-term sustainability and global health, is immeasurable.
As his session at Blue Earth draws to a close, there’s a palpable energy in the room. It’s clear that his words have resonated deeply. Attendees seem more contemplative, some even inspired, as they mull over the vision of a world where environmental consciousness and business acumen walk hand in hand.
Stepping out of the hall, I’m reminded again of how we need more Smits in the world. It’s not just about recognising the environmental challenges we face but about seeing the vast potential and opportunities they present.
In a world often characterised by doom and gloom regarding environmental issues, Sir Tim offers a refreshing, hopeful, and pragmatic perspective. One that doesn’t just call for change but illustrates a clear and promising path forward.
And if there’s one thing we need right now, it’s hope.
He draws attention to the burgeoning sectors of renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, green architecture, and eco-tourism. Each of these, he posits, is not just an industry of the future but a testament to what’s achievable when businesses align with environmental imperatives.
The Eden Project stands as a testament to this philosophy, he reflects. Transforming an exhausted clay pit into a global garden and educational hub was no small feat. But it also serves as a case study in eco-centric entrepreneurship. It’s proof that environmentalism and business need not be at odds; that with vision and tenacity, they can synergise to create something both profitable and planet-friendly.
Smit doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the challenges. Yes, transitioning to a green economy will require investments, innovations, and perhaps a redefinition of what we consider “success.” But the payoff, in terms of long-term sustainability and global health, is immeasurable.
As his session at Blue Earth draws to a close, there’s a palpable energy in the room. It’s clear that his words have resonated deeply. Attendees seem more contemplative, some even inspired, as they mull over the vision of a world where environmental consciousness and business acumen walk hand in hand.
Stepping out of the hall, I’m reminded again of how we need more Smits in the world. It’s not just about recognising the environmental challenges we face but about seeing the vast potential and opportunities they present.
In a world often characterised by doom and gloom regarding environmental issues, Sir Tim offers a refreshing, hopeful, and pragmatic perspective. One that doesn’t just call for change but illustrates a clear and promising path forward.
And if there’s one thing we need right now, it’s hope.
More in People
// People
Beyond promises: Why climate pledges aren’t enough to prevent catastrophe
// People
How replacing a market mindset with the wealth of wisdom may be the key to protecting the future of our planet
// People
Taking Stock: Cows, climate, and conservation
// People
