Image courtesty of Steve Walker/CC.

Kicking off the Spring of Sustainability webinar series today was Hunter Lovins’ discussion of her new book, The Way Out: Kickstarting Capitalism to Save Our Economic Ass. The call was hosted by Denise Hamler, co-founder of Green America and director of the Green Business Network and Green Festivals.

 

Starting with the simple question with a complex answer, Denise Hamler asks Hunter Lovins how we can save our environment. We need to use our resources more productively, says Lovins.

More than that, it’s about redesigning the way we deliver everything, relocalizing our economy, and bringing genuine quality of life to our communities. Countries like Costa Rica have been reported to have higher levels of happiness. Perhaps not coincidentally, these are also the countries that have made a commitment to social justice and are doing the best economically. “They go hand in hand,” Lovins goes on to explain.

Most importantly, what can one individual do to change a national habit that has been perpetuated over generations? To that end, Lovins encourages us to find what we care about and live a life that chose it. As a small start, we can all find out what footprint each of us is responsible for and work to reduce it. We need to question where all our stuff—water, food, clothes, paper—comes from. Furthermore, how far away did these things come from?

Summing up, Hunter Lovins offers her final words of advice: Think about where the basics of your life come fron and work as hard as you can in your circumstance to ensure that they are sustainable. Use resources efficiently, and that is the most important work you can do to heal this planet.

“Vote with your feet. Just show up.”

Hunter Lovins is the co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute. Her book will be available for preorder starting April 12th.

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