SHARE:  
May Newsletter Content
  • Directors Note
  • 21st Century Pathways Info Sessions
  • Cool Choices Promotion
  • Green Masters Program Open
  • Events
  • Inspiration Corner
  • In the News
A lot has happened this Spring that is far from what was expected when we began this decade in January. As the attention shifts to rebuilding , what lessons have we learned from sustainability that we can use to rebuild more resilient and equitable systems and processes inside our businesses? How can we look at efficiency in a new lens that allows greater flexibility and greater productivity simultaneously? We have seen data and pictures that illustrate natural systems in repair and recovery from heavy pollution. How can we redesign what normal was, to be a new normal, that feels both connected and prosperous for all, while also respecting our planetary limits? 

My answers come from my training in design and permaculture. If you are not familiar, Permaculture is a set of ethics and design principles focused on whole systems thinking and designing regenerative systems. It is mostly applied to agriculture however, I have long been interested in applying the principles to business. In this article by Ethical.net we learn about the 12 guiding principles in permaculture and start to understand how they can be applied to our daily lives to rebuild better, and here we hear Rob Hopkins share how we can apply these principles to business. As a science, Permaculture looks to natural systems to design for resiliency and maximizing beneficial relationships. We can not afford to design a new normal that doesn’t look beyond just economic systems and growth to ones that build diverse and adaptive systems for all earth’s inhabitants. Our futures and our businesses depend on it. 

If you would like support in designing and building sustainable systems into your organization, I would invite you to look into our 21st Century Pathways Program below.
21st Century Pathway Info Sessions
Are you struggling to determine how to elevate sustainability in your business during these turbulent times? Do you want to be sure you company doesn't loose site of important priorities given the disruption Covid has caused?  If yes, then I would like to invite you to learn more about 21st Century Pathways in our info session today, May 19 at 1:00 PM.  
 
This program leads you through a process to develop a plan that brings stability and resiliency into your business.  It help's you develop systems thinking and how to communicate about sustainability so that your teams can understand it's importance in today's market. Best of all, it's designed to give you individualized coaching for your specific business needs. 
Promotion on Cool Choices Through May!
Cool Choices is for you to connect your workforce, build sustainable habits and have some much needed fun during these hard, hard times. If you want to gain a deeper understanding of the game, listen to this free webinar about the game HERE . Game sale runs through May!
2020 Green Masters Program is OPEN
If your business has been taking strides to become more sustainable, but need help finding the right resource to track, measure, and improve your progress, then this program is right for you. The Green Masters Program is being used currently by over 130 business in Wisconsin and our list continues to grow.

If you would like to learn more about how to use the program or how to leverage your participation, join us virtually.
Events
WI Academy, Climate Breakfast  
Virtual on May 20 - 7:30 AM to 8:45 AM

This breakfast's focus is Resilience & Adaptation, and provides a (virtual) place and space for community members to build on discussions and connections kindled at our 2019 climate events. Megan Levy, Wisconsin Office of Energy Innovation, will speak about community and energy resilience.
WAEE Webinar on May 26th at 1:00pm

This event features Plug Power, a company in Lamtham, New York that has been a leader in production and sale of Hydrogen Fuel Cells. WAEE has mainly focused on solar, wind, and lithium for energy storage, however the use of hydrogen as an alternative energy source has quietly been gaining ground. This webinar explains the growth of the hydrogen industry, developing technology and continuing innovation.

Presenter: Fernando Corral, Vice President of Marketing for Plug Power
  Alliance for Water Stewardship Training

Virtual on June 9, 10, & 11, 2020
 
Learn how to apply water stewardship principles and the AWS Standard to advance your water-related goals. There are three modules in this training and you can do one, two or all three. 

  1. Foundations - 5 steps to meet your water goals
  2. Advanced - AWS Standard criteria and lead indicators
  3. Specialist - Learn how to consult, audit and train on AWS 
Business Workshop on Carbon: Q&A with the Professionals

Virtual on June 17 at NOON 
 
This webinar builds on the recent Business Workshop on Carbon at the Nelson Institute’s Earth Day Conference.
 
If you want a deeper conversation that builds on the information that was shared during the original workshops we invite you to join us and bring your carbon questions.    
Inspiration Corner
Ted Talk: A healthy economy should be designed to thrive, not grow

What would a sustainable, universally beneficial economy look like? "Like a doughnut," says Oxford economist Kate Raworth. In a stellar, eye-opening talk, she explains how we can move countries out of the hole -- where people are falling short on life's essentials -- and create regenerative, distributive economies that work within the planet's ecological limits.
ISSP Hall Of Fame Series
 
Joel Makower, Bob Willard, and Dr. Vandana Shiva talk about COVID-19 and The Longer Horizon. The series discusses the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for the regenerative economy and the opportunities facing sustainability professionals.
In the News
Covid-19 Gives Sustainability a Dress Rehersal

In a crisis where previously unthinkable approaches have become the new normal overnight, companies can keep up their sustainability momentum.
Stakeholders Demand More From Business

EM talking about the importance of diversity, inclusion   and employee engagement; as well as how B Corps are ideally placed to meet the rapidly changing needs of businesses today and in the future. "

How Sustainable Infrastructure can aid the post COVID Recovery

The ongoing coronavirus crisis has amplified the growing calls for resilient and adaptable infrastructure that can effectively operate during moments of crisis