The document discusses sustainability and becoming more environmentally friendly or "green". It notes that while the Earth has existed for billions of years, humans have only been around for a few million and have only been unable to drink water or eat anywhere for around 500 years. It advocates working with natural laws like how nature uses only the energy it needs and has no waste. Some steps on the journey to becoming greener mentioned are using biobased raw materials, biomimicry, becoming carbon neutral, improving energy efficiency, and reducing waste. An example is given of a student design challenge to create a biomimicry-inspired backpack tent. The document promotes becoming more sustainable and green as creating a better world.

1. The Elegance of Being Green Presented by: Kathryn Alexander, President, CEO Ethical Impact LLC

2. Sustainable? The Earth has been around for about 3,800,000,000 years.

4. Sustainable? Humans have been on the planet for about 5,000,000 years

7. Sustainable? We have always been able to eat anything and drink water anywhere – UNTIL about 500 years ago.

10. Sustainable? WHY not now?

14. Sustainable? Will we be here for the next 10,000 years?

15. Working with Natural Law “ The real challenge isn’t to be less bad or to slow the rate of deterioration, but to actually build the regenerative capacity of the living systems that sustain the human experiment – and to make that a normal consequence of doing business.” Gil Friend

16. Natural Law Nature runs on sunlight. Nature uses only the energy it needs. Nature has no waste. Nature fits form to function. Gil Friend – The Truth About Green Business

17. More Natural Law Nature rewards cooperation. Nature banks on diversity. Nature depends upon local expertise. Nature taps the power of limits. Gil Friend – The Truth About Green Business

18. Becoming Green Energy, water and waste – low hanging fruit Ray Anderson – Interface Biomimicry Motivating your workforce

19. Steps on the Journey BioBased Raw Materials Biomimicry Carbon Neutral Climate Employee engagement Energy Life Cycle Assessment Waste Closing the Loop Supply Chain

20. Innovaton A small and well-known outdoor gear manufacturer, Pacific Outdoor Equipment (POE), sponsored a real-life design challenge: to use biomimicry tools and principles to design a specialized backpacking tent. The Biomimicry Institute created the interdisciplinary and collaborative design team of university students and faculty, and facilitated the design process throughout the semester-long project, from idea to prototype. (The product is presently sold by POE). The second student biomimicry design challenge will start in the spring of 2010. AskNature.org

21. A cartoon circulating during COP15 climate negotiations last month showed a climate denier in the audience gesturing to a screen at the front of the hall that listed "Energy Independence. Preserve rainforests. Green jobs. Livable cities. Renewables. Clean water, air. Healthy children. Etc, etc." "But what if it's a big hoax," the skeptic grumbles, "and we create a better world for nothing?" Indeed. What if!

22. Ethical Impact LLC Call us if you are interested in being on this journey. Our Forever Green™ Certification process will give you the support you need! (303) 440-5833 or (888) 331-7492