Finding a unique place for sustainability in business

More than 20 years ago, Peter Wege was already sharing his ideas of economicology (a value-producing union of economics and ecology) as part of work of the Center for Environmental Study.

Many colleagues in that program were international students who brought rich perspectives from their homes around the world. Lively class discussions centered on questions about "sustainable development."

What would be necessary for developing countries to effectively embrace economic growth that would benefit all sectors of society while enhancing the productivity of ecological systems (and their benefits) for today's populations and future generations?

It was striking to understand the dominant role government is playing in the northern European countries - which dominated the conference - in contrast to the private-sector-led sustainable development pathways that characterize the US.

It's a context that's not better or worse, just different. It also seemed significant that technological innovation was seen as key, while sustainability, at its foundations, is about a change of heart.

As an entirely new way of feeling and thinking, sustainability provides a revolutionary set of possibilities for how we live our lives. With innovation and entrepreneurship, we have the opportunity to bring the ideas of sustainability into everyday practice.

What will be more challenging is to provide the policies and resources that innovating entrepreneurs can harness in a world where change is constant, while reflecting our own, distinctive take on what matters most.

From mlive.com

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