In search of a better way to think about a sustainable Hawai`i, green economist Ken Stokes covers island markets and watersheds, plus systems thinking, sustainability knowledge, community initiatives, sustainable design, ecosystem management, climate change policy, and ecological footprints.
beyond sustainability: on systems evolving to absorb shocks
Jamais Cascio wonders how we can live within our means when those means can change beneath us, sometimes swiftly and unexpectedly (via foreignpolicy).
According to Cascio, sustainability is not enough if it is seen as “the right combination of behavior and technology that allows us some measure of stability”.
“A sustainable world can avoid imminent disaster, but it will remain on the precipice until the next shock”, says Cascio.
Cascio’s solution? Shoot for resilience, instead, and “accept that change is inevitable and in many cases out of our hands, focusing instead on the need to be able to withstand the unexpected.”
Published by Ken on May 17th, 2010 tagged Island Ecosystems | 1 Comment » |
the physics of sustainability: on zero entropy systems
My 2002 book stressed “closing the loops”, and we’ve since learned much about how this can be done.
In one key moment, physicist Mae-Wan Ho half-accidentally discovered that “living organisms appear like a dynamic liquid-crystal-display”. This must mean, reasoned Ho, that living organisms are highly organized, and “coherent energy is being mobilized and transformed in the organisms”.
Ho set out to reformulate the thermodynamics for living systems, based on this core principle, which has “large implications for ecosystems, food, health and economies.”
Most important, our “maximum entropy” model is precisely wrong. We need a “zero-entropy” model of sustainable systems.
Published by Ken on May 2nd, 2010 tagged Sustainability Science, Systems Thinking | Comment now » |
what Hawai`i deciders need to know about sustainability
We’re seeing lots of programs and designs these days that boast “innovative sustainability features”.
Pinch me! A few short years ago, the “S” word was still too “hot” for polite company.
Now, much of our conversation about sustainability leaves me cold. Why? Because we don’t know what we’re talking about.
Here are some quick tips for what we should be talking about: Sustainability is about wholes, not parts. It’s about limits, not increments. It’s about relationships, not things. It’s about all three spheres. It’s not what we think, it’s how.
Published by Ken on March 19th, 2010 tagged Island Ecosystems | 1 Comment » |
another ooops story: of road salt and watersheds
My grandots in snow country will love this one! It’s a real howler about our “system blindness”. And about how un-sustainability means doing all the wrong things.
Wudja believe all that road salt we spread for “safety” purposes actually ends up somewhere else…like our groundwater and streams. (You mean there is no “away” place we can throw this stuff?) Duh!
Yet, it took these new studies from Toronto and Minneapolis to make us realize road salt is a huge mistake (via treehugger).
Nor is this just about the impacts on aquatic life and drinking water. It’s also about destroying roads, shortening the life of cars, and killing vegetation. WTF?
Published by Ken on March 5th, 2010 tagged Best Practices, Ecosystems Research, Island Ecosystems, Systems Thinking | 1 Comment » |
RU ready for ‘weird’ weather? the case for adaptive investment
As we track and anticipate climate change in these islands, the one certainty seems to be that we are in for “weird†weather.
For example, the record-cold December on Kaua`i (see chart) and the recent Hanalei gusher that broke records (and gauges) certainly qualify as “Black Swan events”–things previously thought to be rare that occur with increasing frequency.
Of course, those who build models of “system dynamics” tell us this weirdness is an expected consequence of the “hockey stick” trends we’re now seeing. Every major geo-physical indicator is ramping up faster and faster (see chart below), and this accelerating quantitative change is generating startling qualitative changes.
Published by Ken on January 4th, 2010 tagged Climate Change, Community Initiatives | 1 Comment » |
what more can one say? on the need for sustainability action
People are compelled to act when the alternatives are worse. This gem from Sharon Astyk captures the essence of all the study I’ve been doing since launching this blog 3 years ago.
Says Astyk, “It is not necessary to offer optimism…We know it may already be too late…What people feel is a necessity, a sense of urgency and a shared crisis.” (via casaubonsbook).
As one of Astyk’s commenters puts it, “we need to forget about the top national political leaders doing much, or even much at the state level. We also can’t think of ourselves as survivalists with a bunker mentality.”
Published by Ken on August 25th, 2009 tagged Community Initiatives, Systems Thinking | 1 Comment » |
think “one pound per mile”: on emissions reduction priorities
Embedding balanced thinking in every day life is an essential part of the “resource literacy” we’re promoting, right?
So, sustainability thinking involves much broader awareness of emissions ‘metrics’…like the numbers in this chart. Wanna know the relative emissions impacts of, say, plastic bags versus driving. Here ya go!
Let’s see: if we use an average of one plastic bag a day, we could go two weeks before accumulating the equivalent of one pound of emissions.
Now, perhaps if we all held in our minds the “one mile, one pound” metric associated with our vehicles, we might work harder to reduce our miles.
Published by Ken on August 19th, 2009 tagged Best Practices, Systems Thinking | Comment now » |
more HCA video: Ramsey Taum says keep it REAL
There are many solid reasons to watch this presentation at last week’s Hawaii Conservation Alliance conference, especially including where Ramsey Taum ends up after a marvelous romp through native insights on sustainability.
Taum opens with this quote from Marcel Proust: “”The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Then he adds, “Sustainability acknowledges the systemic relationships between activities and entities that at first glance may not reveal their connectivity.” Yeah, try them new ‘eyes’!
Taum’s presentation is all about the special sustainability challenges in these islands, sitting on the mountaintops of the “Blue Continent”.
Published by Ken on August 12th, 2009 tagged HI-specific, Sustainability Science | Comment now » |
sustainability courses, KIUC get local news play
Nice piece in today’s Garden Island on my upcoming series of sustainability short courses, and yesterday’s op-ed by the venerable Walter Lewis on the need for a KIUC rate hike was also kewl!
Have to say our island sustainability conversation continues to amp up, and I’m getting more and more “pinch me” moments as our community learning and dialogue advances. Seems like only yesterday that sustainability was ‘fringy’ stuff…
Sadly for most of us, getting in this conversation takes some homework. For openers, we gotta change how we think, and that’s as tough a task as there is.
Published by Ken on August 9th, 2009 tagged Community Initiatives, Sustainability Science | Comment now » |
climate science in Hawaii: the HCA 09 conference videos
Yeah! Ain’t blip.tv gr8! Already, many of the videos from last week’s Hawaii Conservation Alliance conference on climate change are uploaded and waiting for your perusal. Watch ‘em here.
Aside from the savings on carbon-spewing (of the inter-island variety), one reason I didn’t go this year is because I can get all the good stuff this way…without leaving our treehouse! It’s like the next best thang to virtual conferencing.
And kudos to HCA’s Deanna Spooner and crew for another smash hit conference! And mahalos to the dozens of scientists and policy wonks who shared their work and latest thinking!
Published by Ken on August 7th, 2009 tagged Island Ecosystems | Comment now » |
Holdren on climate policy: lead or be cooked
As Copenhagen looms, Obama’s science advisor John Holdren says “industrialised nations need to get their acts together..and developing countries have to join pretty soon, or we’re going to be cooked” (via newscientist).
Holdren still sees a chance for Senate passage of “commitments that will move us onto a declining emissions trajectory”, and if so, “we will see a degree of progress at Copenhagen that will surprise people.”
For now, Holdren sees cap-and-trade as a vital stepping stone, with “more ambitious” targets to be added over time.
Such adjustments are “likely”, says Holdren because two things are going to happen:
Published by Ken on August 3rd, 2009 tagged Climate Change, Systems Thinking | Comment now » |
will KIUC listen to McKinsey? on energy efficiency strategy
McKinsey unleashed another blockbuster on energy efficiency clearly showing how to get the first 30% of cost-savings and emissions-reductions, concurrently with developing new green energy sources (via greeninc).
The upshot would be 23% less energy demand by 2020, and trillions not needed for new energy generation.
Meanwhile, KIUC is betting against any such thing, assuming instead that energy demand will continue to grow fast (because efficiency won’t work), and so we must soon add another fossil fuel generator (because green energy is unreliable).
We’ve noted many flaws in KIUC’s plans, and next Tuesday evening you can see their business-as-usual (BAU) approach in action.
Published by Ken on August 1st, 2009 tagged Best Practices, Energy | 1 Comment » |
military spending must shift to reflect climate security
With our military budget now approaching $700B annually, a new report from IPS urges Obama to shoot for a minimum of $30B in each of the next 20 years for climate change initiatives, including R&D and retrofits for government facilities (via grist).
Grist’s Kate Sheppard notes that this need not be a zero-sum game, since climate action could be funded from carbon cap revenues (if they ever emerge from Congress).
Still, ‘twould be smart to ratchet down on the gunboats as we ratchet up the green generators. Even with the stimulus package, Obama’s military spending is still 9 times higher than climate action.
Published by Ken on August 1st, 2009 tagged Climate Change, Island Vulnerabilities | Comment now » |
sustainability ain’t philanthropy: Werbach on corporate strategy
Sustainability is not about “doing good” or “protecting the environment”, says Adam Werbach, and corporations must integrate sustainability into their core business strategies (via SFS).
“Yes, it’s important to reduce waste and toxins in a company to protect our diminishing natural resources”, says Werbach.
Still, “an environmental strategy is not enough to sustain most businesses for the long haul”, says Werbach, and “too often, a ‘sustainability strategy’ is simply an environmental strategy with a new name.”
Instead, Werbach urges business to focus on a “strategy for sustainability”, and underscores the difference with three telltales. A company has a strategy for sustainability when it:
Published by Ken on August 1st, 2009 tagged Best Practices, Systems Thinking | Comment now » |
resilience path: turning cost centers into savings vehicles
The thing about investing in your own energy or food production is that you not only reduce your monthly costs but also end up owning productive assets.
John Robb sees this as financially bootstraping communities seeking to bolster their resilience (via globalguerillas).
According to Robb, owning a windmill, solar array or garden is superior to owning a retirement account…especially in the likely inflationary economy of the near future.
Robb expects that the monthly savings will far exceed the monthly returns on your 401k/IRA accounts. Moreover, notes Robb, “as returns accumulate, it makes possible new investments in productive systems with additional cash flow opportunity.”
Published by Ken on July 30th, 2009 tagged Island Ecosystems | Comment now » |
ahoy Senator! boaters want emission reductions, too
Citing the horrors of ocean acidification, a major boating company has launched a ‘call-your-Senator’ campaign to push for a climate bill even stronger than Waxman-Markey. Kewl!
West Marine sent emails to its customer base making the connection between CO2 and ocean acidification, noting that “solving one will solve the other”, and urging boaters to “demand far greater emissions reductions than were able to pass the House.”
“As one friend who got the email said, it’s “interesting to see them step up with a position!”
Especially with ‘Big Coal” flooding the Senate with cries for even more loopholes, this is a heartening sign.
Published by Ken on July 28th, 2009 tagged Climate Change, Island Vulnerabilities | Comment now » |
Mayor as playuh: Kauai’s lineman for county sustainability
Pinch me! For the first time, our island’s political leadership is stepping up to the sustainability challenge, and I’m feeling better about our chances with this big guy up front.
Mayor Bernard Carvalho isn’t just mouthing the “S” word…he’s serious about preparing Kauai for the sustainability transition coming down on his watch.
Carvalho is launching a series of newspaper columns on sustainability and is learning to fold-in the sustainability theme with his daily “stories” as he moves from appearance to appearance.
Ya gotta like Carvalho’s chances as a cheerleader for the behavior changes that are integral to these transition times.
Published by Ken on July 26th, 2009 tagged Best Practices, Community Initiatives | Comment now » |
fulfilled with little: more low-hanging fruit
‘Tis hard to sense loss as the financial sector reels…if ya got no portfolio to lose.
Hard, too, to stay focused on holding-on to ‘stuff’ if ya got nothin’. And, it’s hard to stop givin’ back to community if that’s all ya got.
Sure, I’m an economist, yet I’ve let all the recent financial news just wash over me. (I gave up ‘stuff’ after Hurricane Iniki.) I’m amazed that so many folks who’ve worked hard to “make it” are now not much better off than the rest of us.
Reading Nate Hagens, I’m wondering if it’s all about “self” (via oildrum).
Published by Ken on July 26th, 2009 tagged Systems Thinking | Comment now » |
Hawaii social investment: ulupono initiative for sustainability
Let’s hope Hawaii’s social entrepreneurs are lining up for this: a significant source of funding for new business models in “indigenous renewable energy, local food production, and waste reduction”, through the Omidyar’s just-launched Ulupono Initiative.
Now settled in the islands, Pierre and Pam Omidyar are plunking down heavily to support “Hawaii’s transformation to sustainability”, and it’s not just about money…more about catalyzing change.
As leaders in “social investment” with nearly $1B already committed planet-wide, Omidyar intends this island team, led by Kyle Datta and Robin Campaniano, to help “grow a 21st century economy where economic progress and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.”
Published by Ken on July 24th, 2009 tagged Community Initiatives, Island Vulnerabilities | Comment now » |
learning about sustainability: on creating courses for Kauai
Can’t recall more fun than conceiving effective methods for communicating the scope of what we’re learning about sustainability…and shaping this into accessible short-courses!
That’s been my focus for the the past several months, and I’m delighted to report that the inaugural learning opportunities will launch in 3 weeks at Kauai Community College through the Office of Continuing Education & Training (OCET).
Fortunately, I’ve had some practice with previous seminars for Kauai leaders, yet this field is advancing so rapidly that it’s truly challenging and inspiring to sum up what we’re learning, especially regarding the challenges facing this small rural island.