Reflections on the Future

Last night I was fortunate enough to attend a talk by legendary environmentalist Paul Hawken. Years ago I slumbered my way through Natural Capitalism (not really understanding much about capitalism or economics at the time) and more recently read Hawken's inspiring novel Blessed Unrest.
Although I really enjoyed Blessed Unrest, I think the biggest influence Hawken has had on me is through the late Ray Anderson of Interface Carpet. Anderson was inspired to change his ways and the future of his company through the words of Hawken in his book The Ecology of Commerce (which is sitting on my shelf and I have yet to read). In my Sustainability Management classes I have heard so much about Anderson and have much respect for the person that inspired him.
Hawken's talk was perhaps less inspiring that I had hoped, considering how positive I felt after reading Blessed Unrest. There is just so much work to be done, and it all has to begin now and continue on for the next 25 years in order for us to change our course. It was a little bit depressing to be thrown back into the reality that our small changes (reusing towels in hotels with NOT save us) really are not enough and we need sweeping change NOW in order to have much hope. Ah yes, and then the discussion on 'hope'. Hawken mentioned that we should not have hope because there can be no hope without fear and we need to be fear-less. That makes me sad to think we shouldn't have hope, but I can understand that we very much need to act without fear in order to make a change.
There were some Occupy movement participants at the talk as well, which got me thinking a little bit more about it. In theory I do support Occupy, but had become disapproving of their actions of late as it seemed to me that they were just breaking the law to cause trouble. However, I do want to support the movement and realized that I haven't really done anything to do so. Hawken suggested that the Occupy movement is very reflective of our times in that we don't have one leader and one right answer to solve the problems. We shouldn't expect the movement to have one demand as there certainly isn't one answer that will fix such a broken system. I hope to figure out a way to contribute to this movement myself as I do believe it is extremely important that there are people in the world with enough passion and dedication to fight for our common sustainable future.
I have to let the talk and experience sit with me a little longer. It did get me thinking more about my future as I'm about to embark on a very different path taking an international MBA program. I must ensure that whatever opportunities arise that I remain true to my passion and really help to make the world a better place...and as quickly as possible!

Business and Sustainability

I am almost done my courses for the UBC Sustainability Management certificate and I have been thinking much more about the role of business in sustainability lately. Although there are so many little and big acts that individuals can do to save our society and environment from destruction, business is really the big player in our world and has the largest impact. Business, therefore, has the biggest potential to change our situation for the better and truly make a positive difference.
I have been thinking about this more lately because I have become more involved helping the company I work for to reduce its environmental impact. I am also finally reading Paul Hawken's famous book "The Ecology of Commerce: A Declaration of Sustainability", that I have been meaning to read for years. I was truly inspired by his latest book, "Blessed Unrest" and still have yet to get to "Natural Capitalism" although that has also been sitting on my 'to read' book shelf for years. I chose to finally read The Ecology of Commerce, despite it being 18 years old, because of the impact it had on Ray Anderson of Interface, the most sustainable carpet company in the world (please see here for more on that). Ray Anderson has revolutionized what it means to be a large sustainable business and one cannot help but be inspired but what he has done. Thus, I realized I must read the book that inspired him.

As I read it I would like to mention some points that resonate with me.
1) The first is that this book was written in 1993, yes, that's right, 18 years ago. Paul Hawken put a call out to business to change its ways long before worldwide climate change & chaos, global food shortages, and peak oil. It is terrifying that in those 18 years most businesses have not headed his warning and that we are worse off than before with corporations spilling millions of barrels of oil into pristine waters, causing deaths through processing and selling contaminated meat, and having sales greater than most country's GDPs by selling arguably extraneous 'stuff'. What will it really take to change these businesses and create new more sustainable ones?
2) "While everything individuals do helps, these efforts are relatively insignificant when compared to the demands placed upon the environment by corporations themselves. Consider this fact: If the items used in households in America were all recycled, this would reduce our solid waste by only 1 to 2 percent." I am by no means completely against business, but I do feel that businesses have a responsibility to act more sustainably. I also feel that this can be a huge opportunity for a business to find creative solutions, possibly opening up new markets, but certainly helping to sustain their business economically, socially and environmentally over the long term, and which business owner wouldn't want that?
3) The idea that business can provide a service or long-term more durable item rather than the typical short-lived products we are currently accustomed to. Interface is an example of a carpet company that provides a carpet 'service' by taking back worn carpet and replacing with recycled tiles for the customer. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is also attempting to promote a 'circular economy' that closes the loop and encourages businesses to rethink and redesign business practices.

I look forward to more insights from this book and others as I explore how business can truly make a difference.

Sustainability Concepts

A collection of some important concepts and quotes from my recent Sustainable Building Advisor Program, Sustainability Leadership, and Green Marketing courses....

Al Gore in Earth in the Balance book:

"The more deeply I search for the roots of the global environmental crisis, the more I am convinced that it is an outer manifestation of an inner crisis that is, for lack of a better word, spiritual...what other word describes the collection of values and assumptions that determine our basic understanding of how we fit into the universe?"

The Six Governing Principles of Sustainable Design (from The Philosophy of Sustainable Design, Jason F McLennan):

1. Respect for the Wisdom of Natural Systems - the Biomimicry Principle

2. Respect for People - Human Vitality Principle

3. Respect for Place - Ecosystem Principle

4. Respect for the Cycle of Life - "Seven Generations" Principle

5. Respect for Energy and Natural Resources - Conservation Principle

6. Respect for Process - Holistic Thinking Principle

From The Philosophy of Sustainable Design, Jason F McLennan:

• "There is an inherent need in all of us to 'come from somewhere', to know where home is, and to feel in some way that our home is special - indeed that we are special because of it."

I definitely feel that I have this need, but that I don't actually feel like I 'come from somewhere' or know where home is. I don't feel a strong connection to any 'place', especially in Canada. I feel more of a sense of place in England and Europe, perhaps partly because their better sense of place through building design there. In North America, you could almost always just be in any big city because design all our buildings and homes the same no matter where they are located.

• "We have a connection to nature that is inherent and essential to us. When we deny it, we deny a part of ourselves."

I definitely understand this. I have a very strong drive and desire to spend time outdoors and in remote natural beauty. My best memories are from the tops of mountains or hiking along coastal beauty. Nature is where I relax and feel like life is somehow more 'real'. It grounds me and reminds me who I am. I think a lot of people lack this in their lives and it is scary that we are losing our connection to nature as a society.

• "If we want to change a result, we must first change the process that led to the result."

This reminds me of Einstein's definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. We need to fundamentally shift our paradigms and change our processes in order to really change the outcomes. I think this is the greatest challenge of sustainability but also the most important.