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Sam Presti is the only NBA executive ever to draft three future MVPs and he
did it in three consecutive drafts. It’s a maniacal stroke of luck and an
exe...
2 years ago
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Sustainable Capitalism: The “Green Lining” in the Recession
Live as of yesterday everyone... stay tuned for more =)
http://www.earthfromaboveusa.com/blog/?p=334
Gordon Bengtson
http://www.earthfromaboveusa.com/blog/?p=334
Gordon Bengtson
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Sustainable Capitalism
This is my latest article that will be posted on http://www.earthfromaboveusa.com/
I have begun my internship and will be contributing to their mission on a regular basis in various forms of media.
I will be traveling, and broadcasting to a degree, to help increase awareness about the issues. Aiming to contribute to the mission of Sustainability I will be attending lectures, visiting projects and talking with various organizations and people over the next few months. I hope to cultivate awareness, inform and inspire change by visiting with as many leaders as possible.
We need as many Green Awareness Advocates as possible,as this is our generations calling to do something great.
This is OUR revolution.
This is Americas chance to lead the world in innovation once again. We can no longer just borrow our way to prosperity in the future. This is a fundamental TRUTH we cannot avoid.
I hope you stop and think about how you can become an agent of change as well.
We all need to start living in a more sustainable manner and lose the anthropocentric way of thinking. Remember, The world does not belong to us... it belongs to our children.
A Kenyan proverb-
“We have not inherited this land from our parents; rather we have borrowed it from our children.”
Stay tuned y'all...
Sustainable Capitalism?
We are all being affected by the recession. The economic downturn is felt up and down the social ladder and across the globe. From individuals and families to corporations and countries—we are all “tightening our belts.”
The crisis has contributed a significant amount of change. From the way we live, how we spend and to how we save, we are all doing things a little bit differently than a few years ago. There has been an awakening to the reckless ways which we have lived so far.
Short cuts, low margins, inflated assets, fudged numbers, the exploitation of resources and markets all contributed to an unsustainable economy.
Ultimately, that way of life led to our current plight.
It took a drastic and widespread economic downfall for us to realize that we cannot continue down this path and that things do need to change.
Now, I hope we can learn from this mistake.
But first, let’s look at how we got here.
To put it simply and briefly, in the 1980’s the United States decided to change the way we would grow as a country economically. Following WWII, a manufacturing boom occurred in the U.S. We lead the world in all forms of production. The top of the line consumer goods were made here in the good ol’ US of A.
We shifted away from manufacturing and decided to grow through by consumer spending and asset inflation. We decided to outsource most of the manufacturing jobs to any part of the world that could do it faster for cheaper.
I don’t think we realized the magnitude of that decision.
This period of growth was enhanced by the exponential growth of the U.S. real estate market and the emergence of a larger middle class with more disposable income.
That bred consumerism on a massive scale and encouraged dependence on foreign sources.
We want the biggest, fastest and most expensive things because we have let them define our status for decades now. Over 70 percent of the US economy is driven by consumer spending and that doesn’t seem likely to change any time soon.
When that bubble burst just mere months ago, we lacked the paper wealth that allowed us to turn into the rapid consumers and spenders that we are today. And since the shift in the 80’s the U.S. we lack the infrastructure and no longer create the things which we consume.
So, that leaves us: jobless, cautious and most importantly, dependent on others.
Not self-sufficient or sustainable in the least.
We are dependent on the manufacturing district in South China.
We are dependent of the various oil regions in the Middle East.
We are dependent on the corporations for economic progress.
Growth is the guiding principle of capitalism. But is it a sustainable practice? This is the discussion I hope to evoke: Can Capitalism and Sustainability live together? Or are they opposing ideals?
Yes, in nearly all economic circumstances growth is good. It makes money and creates jobs. But what happens when an America corporation gets big enough to operate on a near sovereign manner in a global economy?
The rise of the modern day corporation and its relentless pursuit of profits created the ability for it to function, nearly, without limits.
Exxon Mobil operates with a budget larger than 180 nations.
The corporate sector now wields great economic and political power. Not only that but they also have a hand in nearly every level of your daily life.
You know why we have the price difference between organic and non-organic food?
The non-organic food lasts longer because it has preservatives and other chemicals. It will be sitting on the shelves, in front of the consumers for longer. Therefore it will earn the farmer more money. Simply put, more chemicals will equal less produce lost. More produce equals higher profits.
Go ahead and pollute the bodies of the everyday Americans—so long as you can make a couple of extra bucks, don’t sweat it.
Organic food is just one small example of the bigger picture.
The economic system does not work when it comes to protecting environmental resources because it takes away from the bottom line.
The political system does not work when it comes to correcting the economic system because the corporations have a strangle hold on our politicians.
When the political system sticks its hand in the economic system, you hear accusations of socialism.
Capitalism has encouraged growth on so many levels that now it doesn’t matter if we have to sacrifice jobs for Americans, sacrifice American’s personal health or the global environment.
Everyone is aware that this country has an extensive history of moral, social and ecological evils that were all sustained in the interest of economic growth. For most Americans and American companies, it’s all about the bottom line. No matter the detriment, we are evaluated by efficiency and profit making ability.
Capitalism is sewn in the fabric of our red, white and blue flag.
Ah, yes the “American Dream.”
The driving force of capitalism is also a main concern of sustainability. Exponential growth is in no way sustainable.
In a recent study conducted by Yale and George Mason called “Climate Change in the American Mind” found that an astounding 37 percent of Americans are not concerned about the environmental issues we face. I encourage you to look at their findings.
Bestselling author and N.Y. Times columnist Thomas Friedman thinks that is just what it might take. “For most Americans (climate change) is not an issue. That’s one of the problems there is no Pearl Harbor of climate (change)…Once there is we will have a broad consensus about it.”
He continued, “I feel that once the climate Pearl Harbor hits, it will already be too late.”
I hope it does not take something as drastic as this economic downturn, a Pearl Harbor or a 9/11 type event to get people more concerned about the ecological and energy disasters we face.
Growth needs to slow for the sake of the planet. We can no longer sit back and ignore the issue just because it is prioritized lower on our “To Do” list.
A new consciousness is emerging about how we need to operate in the world—both economically and environmentally so you see the parallel. The growing sentiment is that there are major changes that need to be made so we can merge these two seemingly opposing ways of life and get them running on parallel tracks.
Action needs to be taken, policies need to be enforced and restrictions need to be placed on the giants who dominate the global political, economic and environmental landscapes.
It is essential that we draw conclusions from our past and apply them to resolving tomorrows unavoidable ecological train wreck.
I have begun my internship and will be contributing to their mission on a regular basis in various forms of media.
I will be traveling, and broadcasting to a degree, to help increase awareness about the issues. Aiming to contribute to the mission of Sustainability I will be attending lectures, visiting projects and talking with various organizations and people over the next few months. I hope to cultivate awareness, inform and inspire change by visiting with as many leaders as possible.
We need as many Green Awareness Advocates as possible,as this is our generations calling to do something great.
This is OUR revolution.
This is Americas chance to lead the world in innovation once again. We can no longer just borrow our way to prosperity in the future. This is a fundamental TRUTH we cannot avoid.
I hope you stop and think about how you can become an agent of change as well.
We all need to start living in a more sustainable manner and lose the anthropocentric way of thinking. Remember, The world does not belong to us... it belongs to our children.
A Kenyan proverb-
“We have not inherited this land from our parents; rather we have borrowed it from our children.”
Stay tuned y'all...
Sustainable Capitalism?
We are all being affected by the recession. The economic downturn is felt up and down the social ladder and across the globe. From individuals and families to corporations and countries—we are all “tightening our belts.”
The crisis has contributed a significant amount of change. From the way we live, how we spend and to how we save, we are all doing things a little bit differently than a few years ago. There has been an awakening to the reckless ways which we have lived so far.
Short cuts, low margins, inflated assets, fudged numbers, the exploitation of resources and markets all contributed to an unsustainable economy.
Ultimately, that way of life led to our current plight.
It took a drastic and widespread economic downfall for us to realize that we cannot continue down this path and that things do need to change.
Now, I hope we can learn from this mistake.
But first, let’s look at how we got here.
To put it simply and briefly, in the 1980’s the United States decided to change the way we would grow as a country economically. Following WWII, a manufacturing boom occurred in the U.S. We lead the world in all forms of production. The top of the line consumer goods were made here in the good ol’ US of A.
We shifted away from manufacturing and decided to grow through by consumer spending and asset inflation. We decided to outsource most of the manufacturing jobs to any part of the world that could do it faster for cheaper.
I don’t think we realized the magnitude of that decision.
This period of growth was enhanced by the exponential growth of the U.S. real estate market and the emergence of a larger middle class with more disposable income.
That bred consumerism on a massive scale and encouraged dependence on foreign sources.
We want the biggest, fastest and most expensive things because we have let them define our status for decades now. Over 70 percent of the US economy is driven by consumer spending and that doesn’t seem likely to change any time soon.
When that bubble burst just mere months ago, we lacked the paper wealth that allowed us to turn into the rapid consumers and spenders that we are today. And since the shift in the 80’s the U.S. we lack the infrastructure and no longer create the things which we consume.
So, that leaves us: jobless, cautious and most importantly, dependent on others.
Not self-sufficient or sustainable in the least.
We are dependent on the manufacturing district in South China.
We are dependent of the various oil regions in the Middle East.
We are dependent on the corporations for economic progress.
Growth is the guiding principle of capitalism. But is it a sustainable practice? This is the discussion I hope to evoke: Can Capitalism and Sustainability live together? Or are they opposing ideals?
Yes, in nearly all economic circumstances growth is good. It makes money and creates jobs. But what happens when an America corporation gets big enough to operate on a near sovereign manner in a global economy?
The rise of the modern day corporation and its relentless pursuit of profits created the ability for it to function, nearly, without limits.
Exxon Mobil operates with a budget larger than 180 nations.
The corporate sector now wields great economic and political power. Not only that but they also have a hand in nearly every level of your daily life.
You know why we have the price difference between organic and non-organic food?
The non-organic food lasts longer because it has preservatives and other chemicals. It will be sitting on the shelves, in front of the consumers for longer. Therefore it will earn the farmer more money. Simply put, more chemicals will equal less produce lost. More produce equals higher profits.
Go ahead and pollute the bodies of the everyday Americans—so long as you can make a couple of extra bucks, don’t sweat it.
Organic food is just one small example of the bigger picture.
The economic system does not work when it comes to protecting environmental resources because it takes away from the bottom line.
The political system does not work when it comes to correcting the economic system because the corporations have a strangle hold on our politicians.
When the political system sticks its hand in the economic system, you hear accusations of socialism.
Capitalism has encouraged growth on so many levels that now it doesn’t matter if we have to sacrifice jobs for Americans, sacrifice American’s personal health or the global environment.
Everyone is aware that this country has an extensive history of moral, social and ecological evils that were all sustained in the interest of economic growth. For most Americans and American companies, it’s all about the bottom line. No matter the detriment, we are evaluated by efficiency and profit making ability.
Capitalism is sewn in the fabric of our red, white and blue flag.
Ah, yes the “American Dream.”
The driving force of capitalism is also a main concern of sustainability. Exponential growth is in no way sustainable.
In a recent study conducted by Yale and George Mason called “Climate Change in the American Mind” found that an astounding 37 percent of Americans are not concerned about the environmental issues we face. I encourage you to look at their findings.
Bestselling author and N.Y. Times columnist Thomas Friedman thinks that is just what it might take. “For most Americans (climate change) is not an issue. That’s one of the problems there is no Pearl Harbor of climate (change)…Once there is we will have a broad consensus about it.”
He continued, “I feel that once the climate Pearl Harbor hits, it will already be too late.”
I hope it does not take something as drastic as this economic downturn, a Pearl Harbor or a 9/11 type event to get people more concerned about the ecological and energy disasters we face.
Growth needs to slow for the sake of the planet. We can no longer sit back and ignore the issue just because it is prioritized lower on our “To Do” list.
A new consciousness is emerging about how we need to operate in the world—both economically and environmentally so you see the parallel. The growing sentiment is that there are major changes that need to be made so we can merge these two seemingly opposing ways of life and get them running on parallel tracks.
Action needs to be taken, policies need to be enforced and restrictions need to be placed on the giants who dominate the global political, economic and environmental landscapes.
It is essential that we draw conclusions from our past and apply them to resolving tomorrows unavoidable ecological train wreck.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
More Travels...
...are on the horizon and I could not be happier to have the freedom and wonderful friends and family to be able to do so. So thank you to all of you who make my life so special and offer me unique opportunities like these =D
June 17-
Depart Charlotte at 9:30 am
Arrive Honolulu at 3:00 pm
June 30-
Depart Honolulu at 7:00 am
Arrive Los Angeles at 3:30 pm
July 8-
Depart Los Angeles at 1:20 pm
Arrive Charlotte at 9:00 pm
So excited to visit California for the first time ever! I will get a chance to see San Diego and hopefully a few other parts of the "Golden State" as well.
I will be skydiving in Hawaii and crossing out a number of other things on the "Before 30 Bucket List."
This trip also gives me enough frequent flyer miles for a free ticket to anywhere in the world! I'm thinking Europe-for the second time around- and getting to spend some time with old friends in their native country of Holland... more on that later... Until then, be well yall.
Cheers!
June 17-
Depart Charlotte at 9:30 am
Arrive Honolulu at 3:00 pm
June 30-
Depart Honolulu at 7:00 am
Arrive Los Angeles at 3:30 pm
July 8-
Depart Los Angeles at 1:20 pm
Arrive Charlotte at 9:00 pm
So excited to visit California for the first time ever! I will get a chance to see San Diego and hopefully a few other parts of the "Golden State" as well.
I will be skydiving in Hawaii and crossing out a number of other things on the "Before 30 Bucket List."
This trip also gives me enough frequent flyer miles for a free ticket to anywhere in the world! I'm thinking Europe-for the second time around- and getting to spend some time with old friends in their native country of Holland... more on that later... Until then, be well yall.
Cheers!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Before 30 Bucket List
In a few days I will be off traveling again and will be doing a significant amount of it in the next two or three months. Most notably, I will be going to meet up with my former roommate from Boston, Tyas. Known as Mr. Van Boston, Tyas and I had a blast during our brief tenure in Beantown together.
After he finished his classes, T set off traveling the continental US, hitting hot spots such as New York, LA, Miami, Vegas, SF- he is trying to pack in as much as possible during his last few weeks... His current and my impeding travels have got me thinking, "what else do I want to do and see before I turn 30?"
So, without further adieu, here are SOME of the tasks on my "Before 30 Bucket List"
1) Complete a food challenge
3) Visit New Zealand (*the list of countries to visit is over 20)
5) Go Skydiving
13) Own a motorcycle
14) Go to a music festival
16) Live on an island
18) Party with a Celebrity
25) Live on a boat
28) Complete a triathlon
36) Grow something
45) Hitch hike
51) Drive on the Autobahn
53) Learn to sail
56) Play with a monkey
62) Tango
68) Ride a bull
70) Break a World Record
71) Take a StrongMan tequila shot
77) Grow a grizzly beard
79) Drink a $100+ bottle of wine
82) Cross country road trip
91) Drive a T-Rex
100) Go to a World Cup
After he finished his classes, T set off traveling the continental US, hitting hot spots such as New York, LA, Miami, Vegas, SF- he is trying to pack in as much as possible during his last few weeks... His current and my impeding travels have got me thinking, "what else do I want to do and see before I turn 30?"
So, without further adieu, here are SOME of the tasks on my "Before 30 Bucket List"
1) Complete a food challenge
3) Visit New Zealand (*the list of countries to visit is over 20)
5) Go Skydiving
13) Own a motorcycle
14) Go to a music festival
16) Live on an island
18) Party with a Celebrity
25) Live on a boat
28) Complete a triathlon
36) Grow something
45) Hitch hike
51) Drive on the Autobahn
53) Learn to sail
56) Play with a monkey
62) Tango
68) Ride a bull
70) Break a World Record
71) Take a StrongMan tequila shot
77) Grow a grizzly beard
79) Drink a $100+ bottle of wine
82) Cross country road trip
91) Drive a T-Rex
100) Go to a World Cup
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Obama From Georgetown
Just a few moments ago President Obama addressed the public about the economy at Georgetown University...
For those of you still grappling with how we got into this economic mess, he provided a great, simple summary of what and walked us through how it happened concisely. The President accurately described it as a "perfect storm of irresponsibility and poor decision making... passing off risks to someone else." Essentially how we built this economic bubble and caused it to burst.
President Obama then talked about how the administration is trying to "attack all fronts of the economic crisis simultaneously." He had an underlying theme of Sustainability which is sooooo important and I touched on in my previous blog. America has simply not had a sustainable economy and that they are working to put in a 5 step plan that aims to make our country more sustainable...
1) New Rules for Wall St- There will be rules that punish shortcuts and abuse. There will be rules that tie a person's pay to their job performance- "A novel idea" he said sarcastically. There will be new regulations to protect the families and he expects to have this new bill on his desk before the end of the year.
Yeah right... ill believe it when I see it.
2) New Investments in Education- " It is time for America to lead once again" in graduation percentage- he hopes to lead the world once again by 2020. This has to begin at an early age and tax credits for college education are on the way. "Our best and brightest" need to be "committed to making things... Engineers. Scientists. Innovators." He says this is essential so people start buying things American once again.
Duh, how else are we gunna make any money to pay back China?
3) Investments in Renewable Energy- In hopes to create new jobs and industries Obama is tired of being "outpaced" by other countries around the world. "America can no longer delay putting a clean energy framework."
Easier said then done- the costs of renewable energy are still too high but I do see him adding tons of new jobs through the "Green" industry.
4) Health Care- Skyrocketing premiums need to slow and we need to take more steps towards what he called "preventative care." This is Obama's focus and defends these investments vehemently- we cannot forget to keep "an eye to the future" while we focus on the here and now.
Why don't we take a page out of Sweden's book... Personally, I like that this is one of his core focuses- A healthy America is needed desperately.
5) New Savings in the National Budget- this is essential in hopes to bring down the national deficit for future generations. We need to do more but there has been a good start. We will root out the programs that cont work to make room for the ones we need- Entitlement reform such as health care will lead.
I'm not holding my breath. Go buy a Rosetta Stone for Chinese kids...
After outlining the "5 pillars" of building the new America on "a rock" he addressed his critics-
"The worst thing a government can do is to stop spending during a recession." Businesses and families are cutting back at a record pace and if the government were to as well the results would be catastrophic and apocolyptic for the country.
"There are glimmers of hope, but we are not out of the woods yet."
I thought it was an extremely comprehensive speech that addressed where we are, how we got here and where we go from here. Sitting at the 12 week mark, the administration says there will be "more job loss, more foreclosures and more pain before it ends." Understandly, progress will take time so lets all brace ourselves.
Obama is a stoic and inspiring figure- he knows how to captivate a nation and restore hope. He can rally the masses like no other president I have ever seen. His ability to speak off the cuff is uncanny. Yes, Obama I believe in you. But I, like many, have reservations about the future of this nation. Perhaps it stems from my lack of faith in Wall St and the greed of those who make their living on it.
For those of you still grappling with how we got into this economic mess, he provided a great, simple summary of what and walked us through how it happened concisely. The President accurately described it as a "perfect storm of irresponsibility and poor decision making... passing off risks to someone else." Essentially how we built this economic bubble and caused it to burst.
President Obama then talked about how the administration is trying to "attack all fronts of the economic crisis simultaneously." He had an underlying theme of Sustainability which is sooooo important and I touched on in my previous blog. America has simply not had a sustainable economy and that they are working to put in a 5 step plan that aims to make our country more sustainable...
1) New Rules for Wall St- There will be rules that punish shortcuts and abuse. There will be rules that tie a person's pay to their job performance- "A novel idea" he said sarcastically. There will be new regulations to protect the families and he expects to have this new bill on his desk before the end of the year.
Yeah right... ill believe it when I see it.
2) New Investments in Education- " It is time for America to lead once again" in graduation percentage- he hopes to lead the world once again by 2020. This has to begin at an early age and tax credits for college education are on the way. "Our best and brightest" need to be "committed to making things... Engineers. Scientists. Innovators." He says this is essential so people start buying things American once again.
Duh, how else are we gunna make any money to pay back China?
3) Investments in Renewable Energy- In hopes to create new jobs and industries Obama is tired of being "outpaced" by other countries around the world. "America can no longer delay putting a clean energy framework."
Easier said then done- the costs of renewable energy are still too high but I do see him adding tons of new jobs through the "Green" industry.
4) Health Care- Skyrocketing premiums need to slow and we need to take more steps towards what he called "preventative care." This is Obama's focus and defends these investments vehemently- we cannot forget to keep "an eye to the future" while we focus on the here and now.
Why don't we take a page out of Sweden's book... Personally, I like that this is one of his core focuses- A healthy America is needed desperately.
5) New Savings in the National Budget- this is essential in hopes to bring down the national deficit for future generations. We need to do more but there has been a good start. We will root out the programs that cont work to make room for the ones we need- Entitlement reform such as health care will lead.
I'm not holding my breath. Go buy a Rosetta Stone for Chinese kids...
After outlining the "5 pillars" of building the new America on "a rock" he addressed his critics-
"The worst thing a government can do is to stop spending during a recession." Businesses and families are cutting back at a record pace and if the government were to as well the results would be catastrophic and apocolyptic for the country.
"There are glimmers of hope, but we are not out of the woods yet."
I thought it was an extremely comprehensive speech that addressed where we are, how we got here and where we go from here. Sitting at the 12 week mark, the administration says there will be "more job loss, more foreclosures and more pain before it ends." Understandly, progress will take time so lets all brace ourselves.
Obama is a stoic and inspiring figure- he knows how to captivate a nation and restore hope. He can rally the masses like no other president I have ever seen. His ability to speak off the cuff is uncanny. Yes, Obama I believe in you. But I, like many, have reservations about the future of this nation. Perhaps it stems from my lack of faith in Wall St and the greed of those who make their living on it.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
How Are You Gunna Save the World?
Sustainability, in my opinion, is the ability to provide a brighter tomorrow without sacrificing the needs of today. A way that we can upgrade without degrading something else.
Fundamental in my version of sustainability is progress. We should be better off tomorrow than we were today because of what we learned.
That includes researching and gathering information to be analyzed in order to build a better world today and tomorrow and days long after that. It is essential that we have to keep learning as the planet continues to change.
I have always championed having an active student mentality. I feel that this is the way to truly grow as a person. I seek to keep mine diligent and active always. Whether it was on the athletic fields, in the classroom, or just everyday things, I always strive to get better.
The need to add new things to your repertoire in order to prevent complacency is pivotal in growth. You have to keep evolving.
The more obvious reason for my interest stems from my most recent employment within the renewable energy sector.
If you had told me two years ago that when I graduated and got a job it would be within in the energy sector, I would have driven you to the emergency room because you must have knocked your head. The only thing I knew about energy was that Gatorade replenished mine.
There was a “mouth-to-a-firehouse” beginning at the Solar Research Consultancy I worked for. I not only had to learn about how electricity works, but how is measured, stored, used and lost.
Next, was getting a crash course in how Solar Energy works, the supply chain and basically everything under the sun… pun intended
The learning curve was sharp and once I started getting a grasp on the research and industry I was sent off on market research projects and became very familiar with the renewable energy industry. “Going Green” was on everyone’s radar and was even front page news.
I was fascinated by the space. And I am equally intrigued by this new industry with environmentally sustainable motives. I felt as if I was doing my little part to save the world.
The Brundtland Commission, offers a more clear and concise definition as the ability “to meet the needs of present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”
Similar to the build-break-build model used in workplaces and classrooms we should apply the same thought. We have built this wonderful world that we live in. Great! Now we have to break the bad habits we developed getting here and build on top of that knowledge but with a renewed sense of true sustainability, perspective and careful consideration.
Ultimately though, what grabs most of the public’s attention to the issues facing the environment is the urgency of the need and the frequency at which we see the issue.
“Going Green” has now become a fad. It’s all over the media, the Internet and advertisements everywhere appeal now to “green” consumers. However, the exposure is vital to development. In fact, it could be the most important part of creating a massive movement.
Word of mouth still proves to be the most effective marketing strategy across industries. It may be corny, it may be overplayed and it may a cheap way to make a buck but, fundamentally, the new cool trend helps bring the issue to the forefront of the public eye. It has been instrumental in developing awareness and stimulating action from companies all the way down to an individual level.
Charlene Easton, the director of the sustainability office at University of British Columbia talked about how the movement is registering with today’s youth,
“This demographic knows that it is in their lifetime that they have to solve climate change ... Students are aware of these things. More than maybe any other generation, it really matters (to them)." http://tinyurl.com/crrote
“Sustainability” and “Going Green” as feel-good buzzwords is a good thing. Now the mission has everyone’s attention.
On a worldwide scale, this movement has been infused with the realization that things need to change NOW. If we don’t branch out to other ways of living then this planet will die along with all of its inhabitants.
We control our planets destiny and the fate of life on earth as we know is resting helplessly in our palms
It will require an unprecedented massive collaboration by people, governments and countries worldwide the necessary growth to begin.
We are making progress, but so much more still remains to be done.
What can you do to help save the world?
Fundamental in my version of sustainability is progress. We should be better off tomorrow than we were today because of what we learned.
That includes researching and gathering information to be analyzed in order to build a better world today and tomorrow and days long after that. It is essential that we have to keep learning as the planet continues to change.
I have always championed having an active student mentality. I feel that this is the way to truly grow as a person. I seek to keep mine diligent and active always. Whether it was on the athletic fields, in the classroom, or just everyday things, I always strive to get better.
The need to add new things to your repertoire in order to prevent complacency is pivotal in growth. You have to keep evolving.
The more obvious reason for my interest stems from my most recent employment within the renewable energy sector.
If you had told me two years ago that when I graduated and got a job it would be within in the energy sector, I would have driven you to the emergency room because you must have knocked your head. The only thing I knew about energy was that Gatorade replenished mine.
There was a “mouth-to-a-firehouse” beginning at the Solar Research Consultancy I worked for. I not only had to learn about how electricity works, but how is measured, stored, used and lost.
Next, was getting a crash course in how Solar Energy works, the supply chain and basically everything under the sun… pun intended
The learning curve was sharp and once I started getting a grasp on the research and industry I was sent off on market research projects and became very familiar with the renewable energy industry. “Going Green” was on everyone’s radar and was even front page news.
I was fascinated by the space. And I am equally intrigued by this new industry with environmentally sustainable motives. I felt as if I was doing my little part to save the world.
The Brundtland Commission, offers a more clear and concise definition as the ability “to meet the needs of present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”
Similar to the build-break-build model used in workplaces and classrooms we should apply the same thought. We have built this wonderful world that we live in. Great! Now we have to break the bad habits we developed getting here and build on top of that knowledge but with a renewed sense of true sustainability, perspective and careful consideration.
Ultimately though, what grabs most of the public’s attention to the issues facing the environment is the urgency of the need and the frequency at which we see the issue.
“Going Green” has now become a fad. It’s all over the media, the Internet and advertisements everywhere appeal now to “green” consumers. However, the exposure is vital to development. In fact, it could be the most important part of creating a massive movement.
Word of mouth still proves to be the most effective marketing strategy across industries. It may be corny, it may be overplayed and it may a cheap way to make a buck but, fundamentally, the new cool trend helps bring the issue to the forefront of the public eye. It has been instrumental in developing awareness and stimulating action from companies all the way down to an individual level.
Charlene Easton, the director of the sustainability office at University of British Columbia talked about how the movement is registering with today’s youth,
“This demographic knows that it is in their lifetime that they have to solve climate change ... Students are aware of these things. More than maybe any other generation, it really matters (to them)." http://tinyurl.com/crrote
“Sustainability” and “Going Green” as feel-good buzzwords is a good thing. Now the mission has everyone’s attention.
On a worldwide scale, this movement has been infused with the realization that things need to change NOW. If we don’t branch out to other ways of living then this planet will die along with all of its inhabitants.
We control our planets destiny and the fate of life on earth as we know is resting helplessly in our palms
It will require an unprecedented massive collaboration by people, governments and countries worldwide the necessary growth to begin.
We are making progress, but so much more still remains to be done.
What can you do to help save the world?
Easter
What an Easter Sunday!
Tiger and Lefty paired together on sunday at the Masters
Celtics at. Cleveland trying to prevent LeBron from leading his team to a victory that will tie the 86 Celtics for the best home record of all time.
BerryBloggin
Tiger and Lefty paired together on sunday at the Masters
Celtics at. Cleveland trying to prevent LeBron from leading his team to a victory that will tie the 86 Celtics for the best home record of all time.
BerryBloggin
Friday, April 10, 2009
Dude, What is a Blog Exactly?
A query that has been echoed a lot recently, so lets go…
To me -simply put- a blog is a true expression of one’s self.
It is a way to share your opinion and get it out to massive amounts of people in a simple and easy manner.
It is your own personal “soapbox” to stand on and voice your take on whatever the hell you want- there is no limit…
War.
Love.
Sports.
Entertainment.
Religion.
Education.
Politics.
Business.
Economics.
Your life.
Or your pets life…
In essence, you are exercising your first amendment right over the largest network in the word.
Additionally it can act as our own online common for connecting with friends. All barriers, like distance, are now broken down (The World is Flat- great book if u haven’t bought it yet, do it today)
It’s a convenient way to collect bodies of work and cultivate ideas with diversified discussion as well.
Sure there are blogs dedicated to a certain goal or mission but since these sites are generally started by an individual person I feel it is fundamentally more personal than recognized. It is way of distributing multimedia on what you value perhaps?
The developments of technology and space for the web are literally, awesome.
Inspiring Awe.
People can now send or get whatever info they want, whenever they decide they want it. And it’s not restricted to printed information only found in books. Now, a blog allows people to broadcast and access information in virtual real time.
You can access infinite amounts of information and now its mobile and palm sized.
You can -from anywhere- link into your team...
Your country.
Your music
Your bank.
Your work.
Your friends.
Your shows.
Your community.
Your school… I don’t wanna keep going on this one cause both lists above are infinite and Im sure you get the point.
Blogs and social networking sites are real time and instant-
America has a new habit…Move over TV, here comes the Internet and you better get used to it.
Why?Because its faster…
You can always count on the power of “now.”
And as Elanor said, “America is all about speed. Hot, nasty speed.”
Frankly, people -like me- love to live in an instantaneous world. We love getting our information as fast as possible and delivered to our pockets. I think it’s great how fast I can get updates on the things that are important to me.
The main downfall which I wrestled with in a previous post is the inability to get away and vacation.
I do like that the new “habit” in the sense that it is turning us from societies of passive viewers into innovative creator and collaborators so, “Blog-On!”
To me -simply put- a blog is a true expression of one’s self.
It is a way to share your opinion and get it out to massive amounts of people in a simple and easy manner.
It is your own personal “soapbox” to stand on and voice your take on whatever the hell you want- there is no limit…
War.
Love.
Sports.
Entertainment.
Religion.
Education.
Politics.
Business.
Economics.
Your life.
Or your pets life…
In essence, you are exercising your first amendment right over the largest network in the word.
Additionally it can act as our own online common for connecting with friends. All barriers, like distance, are now broken down (The World is Flat- great book if u haven’t bought it yet, do it today)
It’s a convenient way to collect bodies of work and cultivate ideas with diversified discussion as well.
Sure there are blogs dedicated to a certain goal or mission but since these sites are generally started by an individual person I feel it is fundamentally more personal than recognized. It is way of distributing multimedia on what you value perhaps?
The developments of technology and space for the web are literally, awesome.
Inspiring Awe.
People can now send or get whatever info they want, whenever they decide they want it. And it’s not restricted to printed information only found in books. Now, a blog allows people to broadcast and access information in virtual real time.
You can access infinite amounts of information and now its mobile and palm sized.
You can -from anywhere- link into your team...
Your country.
Your music
Your bank.
Your work.
Your friends.
Your shows.
Your community.
Your school… I don’t wanna keep going on this one cause both lists above are infinite and Im sure you get the point.
Blogs and social networking sites are real time and instant-
America has a new habit…Move over TV, here comes the Internet and you better get used to it.
Why?Because its faster…
You can always count on the power of “now.”
And as Elanor said, “America is all about speed. Hot, nasty speed.”
Frankly, people -like me- love to live in an instantaneous world. We love getting our information as fast as possible and delivered to our pockets. I think it’s great how fast I can get updates on the things that are important to me.
The main downfall which I wrestled with in a previous post is the inability to get away and vacation.
I do like that the new “habit” in the sense that it is turning us from societies of passive viewers into innovative creator and collaborators so, “Blog-On!”
L I V I N
"Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is."
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