Ellen MacArthur – Our Next Annie Leonard?
August 30, 2011 § 1 Comment
I’m a big fan of the Ellen McArthur Foundation. They’re one of the few organisations who bring a real understanding of systems-thinking to their work on sustainability. The ‘circular economy’ is a current theme (cradle to cradle design, to you and me) for which they have produced this video.
It’s a good attempt to capture what made Annie Leonard’s similar ‘Story of Stuff‘ so successful – though it misses the vital ingredient, a friendly face to talk us through the complex nature of systems. Ellen would have been the perfect ‘host’ for this – trusted, engaging, inspiring. Perhaps she’s just too British to want to step into this limelight?
The animation falls foul of a number of linguistic hurdles – notably some jargon (‘polymer’) and obscure sayings – and is unclear about who should be watching it. Is this for businesses? (In which case, where is the call to action?), or is it for students?
Thought Leadership – The Picture’s Changed, Al
August 24, 2011 § Leave a comment
This is a remarkable piece on the sustainability crisis in the US by Natalya Sverjensky. Published in Ethical Corporation, she nails the reasons why Al Gore’s latest efforts are unfulfilling.
- Leadership is not limited to US presidents
- Climate change is a symptom
- Reducing your impact is yesterday’s task
- “Unknowledge” is power
They Belong To Everyone
August 20, 2011 § Leave a comment
“Storytelling awakens us to that which is real. It is basic to who we are. A story is a composite personality which grows out of its community. These stories become the conscience of the group. They belong to everyone.”
Terry Tempest Williams
Good Question
August 19, 2011 § Leave a comment
How can we inspire people to care about social change and feel good about themselves in the process?
This great article by Michael Bader that tries to answer exactly that question.
Beautifully Equipped
August 17, 2011 § Leave a comment
“In times of change, the learners will inherit the earth, while the knowers will find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.”
Eric Hoffer
Stretching To Mend What Is In Reach
August 15, 2011 § Leave a comment
“Ours is not the task of fixing the entire all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. What is needed for dramatic change is an accumulation of acts: adding, adding to, adding more, continuing.”
Clarissa Pinkola Estés
