Nature will carry on with or without us. But can we? That’s the bold question at the heart of this episode of Extrology, featuring Eoin Murray, Chief Investment Officer at Rebalance Earth.

As a leader in sustainable investing, nature finance and biodiversity strategies, Eoin is on a mission to reshape how we value nature - before it’s too late.

In a world where ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investing has become a buzzword, have we lost sight of what really matters? And is the biggest mistake in conservation reducing it to a three-letter acronym?

In this episode, Eoin shares hard-hitting truths about the fundamental economic shift needed to protect both the planet and humanity. He also offers an inspiring perspective on how business, finance and conservation must evolve together to create a truly sustainable future.

Here are some of the most powerful insights from our conversation.

🌍 1. The harsh reality: our economic system fails to value nature

“Our current economic system doesn’t properly allow for nature to be taken into account. Nature will carry on regardless, but it’s not entirely clear that, on our current path, the human race would.” — Eoin Murray

For centuries, we’ve treated nature as an infinite resource. Traditional economic models assign it a value of zero, despite the fact that everything, from clean air to fertile soil, depends on it.

📉 The result? Unchecked depletion, short-term profit-driven decisions and a growing environmental crisis.

🔑 The shift we need:

• Business leaders must embed nature into financial decision-making.

• Investors should recognise nature as critical business infrastructure, not an afterthought.

• Governments need to rethink GDP as the ultimate measure of progress and incorporate environmental health into economic models.

🌱 2. Why ESG might be the biggest misstep in conservation

“One of the biggest mistakes we made with sustainable investing was giving it the three-letter acronym ESG.” — Eoin Murray

🔹 What went wrong?

The rise of ESG was meant to drive responsible investing, but in many cases, it’s become a box-ticking exercise rather than a real commitment to sustainability.

💰 Some businesses prioritise optics over action, using ESG as a marketing tool rather than making meaningful change.

How do we fix it?

• Ditch the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. Sustainability is complex, it can’t be distilled into a simple acronym.

• Move beyond compliance to real impact. Companies need to focus on measurable, long-term contributions to nature and society, not just short-term ESG ratings.

• Reframe sustainability discussions. Instead of lumping environmental, social and governance factors together, businesses should consider them individually and strategically.

🌊 3. Nature as a service: the future of sustainable investing

“Nature provides a whole range of ecosystem services that are essential for life on this planet. We need to start treating it as critical business infrastructure.” — Eoin Murray

We often focus on investing in technology to combat climate change, but nature itself is one of the most powerful solutions we have.

✅ Forests filter our air and store carbon

✅ Wetlands protect against floods and erosion

✅ Healthy oceans regulate climate and sustain food supply

So why aren’t we paying nature for the services it provides?

🌱 The future:

• Businesses will increasingly pay for ecosystem services, much like they pay for electricity or water.

• Institutional investors will allocate capital directly to nature-based solutions, funding reforestation, biodiversity restoration and sustainable land management.

• The financial system must incentivise regenerative practices, moving away from short-term exploitation towards long-term sustainability.

💡 4. Why serendipity (and mentorship) matter more than a five-year plan

“Anytime I’ve tried to come up with a three- to five-year plan, things never go according to plan. Serendipity is a huge career influence.” — Eoin Murray

Many high achievers believe success comes from careful long-term planning. Eoin, however, argues that chance encounters, unexpected opportunities and strong mentors play a bigger role than we think.

🔹 Key takeaways:

• Stay open to unexpected opportunities. Some of the most impactful career moves happen when you least expect them.

• Find mentors who challenge you. Learning from those with different perspectives and greater experience can change your trajectory.

• Success is about creating opportunities for others. Later in your career, helping the next generation succeed becomes the most meaningful form of achievement.

🛠️ 5. How you can take action today

Feeling overwhelmed by the scale of environmental issues? The good news is that small, consistent actions add up. Here are some steps you can take to make a meaningful impact:

✅ Shift from consuming to creating: Whether it’s regenerative gardening, sustainable investing or even voting with your wallet, contribute rather than just consume.

✅ Support businesses that value nature: Choose companies with transparent sustainability efforts rather than vague ESG claims.

✅ Advocate for systemic change: Push for policies that incentivise long-term sustainability over short-term profit.

✅ Get involved in local conservation efforts: Whether it’s tree planting, rewilding projects or reducing waste, grassroots action matters.

🚀 Final thoughts: the future is in our hands

“I do think there’s a world we can create which keeps many of the wonderful advances we’ve enjoyed, but also readdresses the balance between humans and the planet.” — Eoin Murray

The world doesn’t need a few perfect environmentalists - it needs millions of people making better choices.

🌍 Want to dive deeper? Listen to the full episode now:

🎧 Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or Amazon Music

💬 What’s one change you’d like to see in how we approach conservation and investing? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

🔗 Subscribe to Extrology for more future-focused conversations