A passionate group of people from a variety of companies and organizations gathered for the second session of SSV's Sustainability 101 series on July 21, 2011 at Santa Clara University, Evolution of Sustainability: Corporate and Community Programs for Sustainability.  (Outline and reading list available).  As promised, this session delved into the optimistic territory of what companies are doing now to tackle the issue of sustainability while maintaining successful businesses.  We were presented with a road map of the evolution of sustainability, literally charting a progression from becoming less toxic and reducing waste to green processes and green building on and on until the economy becomes environmentally and socially beneficial.  Along the way, a sustainable enterprise would be one that has wise use of resources, designs inspired by nature, an elimination of toxics, waste reduction, dematerialization, cradle-to-cradle design, supply chain harmonization, vision of the leadership, design for re-invention and re-use, and employee engagement across the "silos" of the organization.  

But what if you are in an organization and your leadership has other priorities?  Ideas to spur change include forming Green Teams, showing how sustainability can also reduce costs, finding a senior level champion, quantifying the risks of not addressing the challenges, and networking with others in the same field.

Meanwhile, it is not only companies that have to address this issue--communities are increasingly responding as well, revising their Land Use and Transportation Elements, writing Climate Action Plans, using resources wisely, focusing on local food and materials production and engaging their communities.  

Many examples were given of companies tackling these issues at various levels (Interface Carpet, Adobe, DHL, HP, Intuit . .  .) and realizing success.  

The challenge Marianna Grossman posed to the group in closing was, is your sustainability effort just "being less bad?"  Think big!  Have vision!  And then join us for the third session on August 11 to hear about Regenerative Capitalism and Radical Regionalism:  Creating Solutions at the Scale of the Challenge.