Pierre’s logs
levers for change + all things sustainable
Filed undersocial change
"Our #businessmodel isn't written into any country's constitution[...] we are earning it by meeting the expectations of #society"
We in big pharma should never take for granted our right to exist; our business model is not written into any country’s constitution. So we should be turning up to work every day with the mindset that we are earning the right to exist. We are earning it by meeting the expectations of society. When you start to think like this, you see the world differently.
Andrew Witty - CEO, GlaxoSmithKline
As an approach, #designthinking taps into capacities we all have but that are overlooked by more conventional problem-solving practices
Designers have traditionally focused on enhancing the look and functionality of products. Recently, they have begun using design tools to tackle more complex problems, such as finding ways to provide low-cost healthcare throughout the world. Businesses were first to embrace this new approach—called design thinking—now nonprofits are beginning to adopt it too.
via ssireview.org
Sustainability is becoming mainstream, customers are demanding it and it is becoming clear that it can make good economic sense
Some standouts for me from the conference [Agriculture 2.0] (in order of appearance not importance!)
Tod Murphy from Vermont’s Farmer’s Diner. He talked about working with farmers and creating a business that was successful and practical. Love that his diner serves the farmers he buys products from.
Carol Kramer LeBlanc, from US Department of Agriculture where she serves as the director of Sustainable Development. Her talk was interesting because she outlined all the new programs available to farmers. Cannot wait to see the impact of these new programs in our rural communities!Diana Endicott from Good Natured Farms a cooperative of 18 family farms in Kansas and Missouri. Very inspiring woman and organization. Great model for farmers getting together to save rural communities.Craig Wichner who founded Vital Farmland, LP which invests in farmland and turns it into organic/sustainable farms. Would love to talk to him about all the farmland we have in upstate New York!Pam Marrone, from Marrone Biopesticides an organic pesticide alternative manufacturer. Very impressed with her presentation, frankly a lot of the talk went over my head but from what I gathered she is a one-woman scientific powerhouse that has been creating patented biopesticides. Seems like there is a lot of exciting stuff that is and will be coming out of her company. Very cool.Melina Shannon-DiPietro from Yale Sustainable Food Projects who spoke about the energy and commitment of today’s college student. Very inspiring and true, young people want to change the world with their minds and bodies. Cannot wait to see the energy these young people bring to farming and food in America!
The Ideas Campaign - ideas to rebuild the Irish economy
The Ideas Campaign is calling on you, the people of Ireland, to propose solutions that will help rebuild the economy. It’s a grassroots, independent campaign for citizens, by citizens.
via ideascampaign.ie
Designing for a Sustainable World - via World Usability Day
Human-centered design directly supports the first two pillars of sustainability:
- Economic - matching a design to user's needs and abilities enhance its utilization, quality, and efficiency, thus providing cost effective solutions and reducing the likelihood that systems products and services will be rejected by their users;
- Social - taking a human-centered approach results in systems, products and services which are better for the health and wellbeing of their users, including users with disabilities;
