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From Waste to Sustainability: Visual Ways to Explore Key Green Economy Topics

By Carol McClelland

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 30Jul2009 Word count: 1003 Viewed: 493 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

While doing research, I've come across several sites and videos that do a great job of describing some of the most critical concepts within the green economy.

If you are building your knowledge base regarding issues of sustainability in business, scan these topics to find videos and interactive websites that can give you the basics in a relatively short period of time.

Waste: The Story of Stuff

This 20 minute online video is a compact, detailed, and fast-moving description of how we extract resources from the Earth to make stuff. Then we distribute stuff, use stuff (for a surprisingly short period of time) and then we throw away our stuff. After traveling far and wide to understand exactly what happens to our trash, Annie Leonard wrote and hosted this video. This fascinating expose has been seen by 6.5 million views in 200 countries since December 2007.

Even if "waste" is not your favorite topic, do yourself the favor of watching this video. It's a reality check everyone on the planet, and certainly every US citizen, needs to see.

- Watch the video (http://www.storyofstuff.com/) - Check out the detailed resource list (http://www.storyofstuff.com/resources.html)

PS. We just happened to see a new PBS show called Trashed: This is the story of garbage - American style. Another very informative look at this critical topic of our time. Definitely worth your time if you happened to catch it on television. If you miss it, watch the movie trailer. If you are inspired to watch the entire thing you can buy the DVD for about $20.00

- Main Site (http://www.trashedmovie.com) - Trashed Trailer (http://www.trashedmovie.com/trailer.html) - Buy the DVD (https://www.createspace.com/Store/ShowEStore.jsp?id=229370)

Sustainability: Interface Company Site

Now that you are riled up by how much waste we are creating as a culture, turn your attention to Interface, a company that manufactures modular carpet sustainably. After the CEO had a life changing awakening regarding the impact their petroleum based business was having on the planet, the entire company pulled together to transform their company in innovative and inspiring ways.

As part of their vision to make a difference, they've included a description of their journey to sustainability for all to read. I highly recommend taking some time to review this section of their site. You'll no doubt pick up on their excitement and passion for what they are doing at the company. Here are a few links to get you started:

- Learn about Sustainability (http://www.interfaceglobal.com/Sustainability/What-is-Sustainability-.aspx) - Explore the 7 Fronts of Sustainability (http://www.interfaceglobal.com/getdoc/224de860-bf76-4d2f-973c-80af60a4addd/7-Fronts-of-Sustainability.aspx) - Listen to a presentation by Ray Anderson, CEO (http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ray_anderson_on_the_business_logic_of_sustainability.html)

Okay... so there's also one relevant book to share with you as well. Read Ray's story about his awakening and the path his company has taken. Though written in 1999, this book is still very popular because you get to witness a company moving toward sustainability. - Mid-Course Correction

Cradle to Cradle: Waste = Food Documentary

Another way to handle waste is to design it out of the process from the beginning. Or better yet, design products such that the "waste" from one process or product becomes the "food" for the next product.

Nature does this already. As you walk through a forest you are surrounded by decaying matter, mature trees, and signs of new growth, which feeds on the decaying matter. In other words, Waste = Food. This cyclical process is now being used as an inspiration for how products can be designed and manufactured.

If you've heard of the book, Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart, but you haven't had a chance to read it yet, here's a great opportunity to get an overview of the concept through a 45 minute online video. If we were to name one of the cornerstone concepts for changing business as usual, the concept of Cradle to Cradle would definitely make the list.

- Watch the video (http://icarusfilms.com/new2007/waste.html)

Nature Inspired Design: Biomimicry

Biomimicry takes the notion of sustainable design one more step. By observing how animals and plants handle the challenges of surviving and thriving on Earth, architects, industrial designers, engineers, manufacturers, business owners, and entrepreneurs can discover non-toxic, sustainable ways to respond to a wide variety challenges they face in designing the built environment. One of the most inspiring aspects of this work is that designers from the business world collaborate with biologists, chemists, and others from the world of science.

Even if you and your career don't fall into one of the categories above, do yourself the favor of at least watching the TED Conference video of the founder of this movement describing how much we can learn from nature. The way you view nature and our built environment will be forever changed.

- Read an interview with Janine Benyus (http://www.biomimicryinstitute.org/about-us/what-do-you-mean-by-the-term-biomimicry.html) - Watch Janine talk about Biomimcry at the TED Conference 2005 (http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/janine_benyus_shares_nature_s_designs.html) - Visit the Ask Nature site, an open source web site for engineers, architects, and industrial designers to explore how nature solves a wide variety of problems (http://asknature.org/) - View the online brochure for the Biomimicry Guild's consulting services... inspiring and beautifully done. (http://biomimicryguild.com/guild_product_service_reference_09.pdf)

Actions You Can Take

I realize I've provided you with a number of links in this article. If you only have time to explore one topic, choose the one that sounds intriguing to you. Or set aside some time each day this week to check out the links associated with each topic.

The time you devote to these links will be time well spent. You'll walk away more inspired than ever to make a difference with your career.

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