| |
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
We help you accelerate greening your business. 1, 2, 3 . . . Green! |
|
 |
|
This week, I attended the symposium, “Awakening the Dreamer: Changing the Dream.” Despite its touchy-feely name, it’s actually a quite useful overview of the imperatives of our time. As I noted in a recent newsletter, we are privileged to be alive at an incredibly dynamic and challenging point in human history. The “Great Turning,” as it is sometimes called, is nothing less than the largest social movement in the history of the world – by far.
At the “Awakening the Dreamer” workshop, we considered four questions via film,
dialogue and discussion:
• Where are we?
• How did we get here?
• What is possible for the future?
• Where do we go from here?
Underlying it all is this purpose: to bring forth an environmental sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just human presence on this planet. These three qualities are absolutely intertwined; it is not possible to succeed in one without succeeding in all. This is more refined language for sustainability than the so-called “Three P’s” of planet, prosperity, and people. It may seem a stretch to align prosperity with spiritual fulfillment, but think about it. We tend to equate success with financial measures. Yet, despite North Americans being some of the richest people per capita in the world, we come out quite low on the happiness index.
Much of the current state of the environment can be traced to unintended results stemming from the unexamined assumptions we have about our relationship to the natural world. We aren’t really an evil, flawed species that will get what it deserves. We are simply misinformed.
For example, we tend to see the earth as lumberyard of resources that are there for the taking. We are also taught that competition is a fundamental law of nature, when, in fact, cooperation is a far more potent law. We assume that the price of goods accounts for the true cost of making them. Wrong. (Annie Leonard’s “Story of Stuff” is a brilliant expose of this assumption.) And we don’t realize that when we throw something “away,” there is no “away.”
The fundamental assumption that underlies it all is this: we believe we are
separate from the nature world. Once we wake up to the reality of the
interconnectedness of all of life, we see the world around us through new eyes.
I encourage you to attend one and experience it for yourself. Read more and find a workshop near you at
this website.
I will continue to share insights and information from the workshop. In the
meantime, today’s article explores the value of powerful questions in mapping
out new endeavors – such as greening your business or organization.
...until next time, remember "Let's live on the planet as if we intend to stay."
Cheers,
Julie
GOforChange.com
P.S. A big, warm welcome to everyone who has joined our green business “tribe” since last
month. You're going to love the practical, how-to information, plus meaningful inspiration, you find here to help you accelerate your green business success — enjoy! And stay in touch
P.P.S. Go For Change is honored and delighted to have been selected as a winner for the second annual Baltimore SmartCEO EcoCEO Awards, recognizing environmental excellence in business.
What has differentiated us from the rest of the pack, is we help you to unlock the value and unleash the potential of greening your business.
This is not just a motto for us, but the way we do business.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Are you asking powerful questions?
Recently, I’ve spoken with several organizations that want to green their operations. There are many good reasons for pursuing this. Of course, efficiency in energy and material use is financially beneficial. A green perspective also unleashes hidden cultural potential. Shared meaning, care for the earth and future generations, and re-connecting with nature are just a few of the sometimes-overlooked benefits. Not to mention increased media exposure, since walking your talk gives you a standout position in your market.
While all this possibility swirls around, it can be a daunting to bring it to a landing and find what truly fits your organization and culture. I have helped several organizations make this transition from a wide, sometimes vague, field of possibility to a clear vision and specific plan of action. Along the way, we engaged interested parties, transforming them from onlookers – even naysayers – to active participants.
Powerful questions are an important tool in this work. There’s a wonderful story on the
Towards2060 website that reveals this truth:
An answer is always the part of the road that is behind you. Only
questions point to the future.
What do I mean by “powerful questions?” Consider three types of questions
that correspond to three purposes of inquiry:
• To focus attention
• To connect ideas and find deeper insight
• To create forward movement
This article continues – and includes juicy examples of powerful questions – on my blog.
___________________________________________________________________________________
WANT TO REPRINT THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEBSITE? You're welcome to - just please include this complete blurb with it:
Julie Gabrielli, founder of GOforChange, mentors entrepreneurial businesses and organizations to “see the green.” She has been at the cutting edge of the green movement for over 15 years. Her expertise includes energy efficiency, renewable energy, green architecture, and strategic sustainability planning.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
The story of bottled water
We've long been huge fans of Annie Leonard's brilliantly succinct "The
Story of Stuff." Now, she's turning her focus on bottled water,
cosmetics, electronics, and cap and trade.
She tells it like it is in The Story of Bottled Water. (Follow
this link for the full version.) Get the inside scoop on that old
advertising trick, "manufactured demand." And, did you know that a third of all
bottled water actually in the US comes from municipal taps? She also explains
the difference between recycling and downcycling. And check this quote from
Pepsi's chairman: "The biggest enemy is tap water."
Maryland coast opened to offshore wind
The Department of Interior
has identified a 277 nautical-square-mile area off the coast of Maryland for possible leasing for offshore wind turbines. Finally, something for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement to do besides permit offshore oil drilling rigs.
Read the full story
here.
|
|
|
 |
|
11.19.10
As an EcoCEO winner, Julie will be profiled in the December issue of
Baltimore SmartCEO magazine and recognized at the Green Matrix
luncheon.
1.5.10 Guest on Angela Jia Kim’s Fireside Chat for
Savor the Success premium network members, “See the green: how you can cash in on the green economy.” If you’re interested in joining, send
me an email and I will recommend you.
1.21.10 Presenter at workshop “Net-Zero Energy Building Design and
Construction.” Julie and Julia Craighill from Steven Winter Associates are
leading a day-long workshop in Virginia for architects and contractors. We will
answer the question, what is a net-zero energy building, review case studies,
and give tips on best practices for design and construction.
|
|
 |
|
Weekly Green
"We are called to be architects of the future, not its victims.."~ R. Buckminster Fuller
Follow
this link for further thoughts, something
to take into your week, and to catch up on others you may have missed.
What comes next for the climate movement?
More than $70 million was spent by polluters in the lead up to the November
mid-term elections which ultimately influenced the election results.
The organization 1Sky has convened leaders from within the climate change,
social justice, and progressive movements locally and nationally to attend a
strategic retreat in the next week to share their insights and ideas on the
question: What does this moment call for?
1Sky is hosting a call on Thursday, November 18th from 1:00 – 2:00 PM EST to
share and solicit ideas or recommendations on this topic. RSVP by emailing
ebonie@1sky.org.
They will provide call-in instructions and a meeting agenda prior to the call..
4 Years. Go.
The next four years will determine our planet’s next 1,000. 4 Years. Go is a
campaign to catalyze and empower a fundamental shift in the direction of
humanity, inspiring collaborative action, connecting individuals and
organizations, and amplifying best practices and successes.
Learn more, view their wonderful film and get connected.
|
|
|
 |
|
Your Eco-Blueprint Home Study Course
A 4-part home study e-Course which helps you to:
• Clear up misunderstandings about what best motivates us to help the environment, and start fresh with an uplifting, transformative vision.
• See greening in its larger context - culturally, historically, and as part of the natural world.
• Think about what going green really means to you.
• Learn to discern which tools will help you baseline your impact, and eventually to measure and track progress. This includes the many resources and connections in your own community.
• Discover how employing environmental practices can also alleviate financial stress.
To learn more and to order, click here.
|
|
| |
 |
|
We help organizations unlock the value and unleash the potential of going green.
You want to cash in on the green economy, but don’t have the time or bandwidth to do it alone. We help you to engage your employees, so you can save money, create new income streams, and better communicate your successes outside the organization.
We tailor our work with you based on the kind of support you are looking for and your level of experience with greening your business. An overview of our programs:
Here is where you can get help to. . . .
• Save money by reducing waste
• Offer more profitable, premium services or products
• Receive more media attention
• Attract and retain great employees
• Be beloved in your community as a positive force
• Increase customer loyalty + serve more people
You’ve done that energy audit, changed lightbulbs and started a recycling program.
Is that all there is?
No!
Greening your business is an extraordinary opportunity to vault into higher levels of excellence, performance, and service. Embrace the vision of a profitable business that is good for the earth and for people.
Read more about our services and programs.
Julie Gabrielli, founder of GOforChange, is an award-winning, leading green business expert. She is an industry-changer who was instrumental in starting the sustainable design movement in her region. Her work has included helping large businesses and institutions develop sustainability initiatives and Climate Action Plans.
Her years of competitive sailboat racing taught Julie that when good design is combined with clear vision, steering for changing conditions, and a healthy respect for the forces of nature, great results are possible!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gabrielli's Green Business is a publication of Gabrielli Design Studio LLC.
All rights reserved, copyright 2010.
2224 Crest Rd
Baltimore, MD 21209
If you no longer wish to receive communication from us:
Cancel
To update your contact information:
Update
|
|
|
|
| |
|
