Six steps toward greater organizational sustainability

The economic rule of thumb of the past century—more and cheaper is better—must be supplanted by a new refrain for economic success and personal happiness.

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Our manufacturing technologies and the chemistry they employ were developed in a very different era. When our industrial production and consumption systems were developed, global population was less than a third of what it is today, environmental problems were small and localized, not global and potentially catastrophic as climate disruption and ocean acidification are now, and toxicity and waste levels of were minimal.

Under these conditions, businesses had no reason to pay attention to the adverse impacts of what they produced, purchased, or used. To the contrary, people were rightfully thankful for the benefits of burning coal, oil, and gas to run their organizations, make travel easier, and power the economy. They appreciated cheap, lightweight plastics for the ease they provided over heavier metals and glass. They reveled in the availability of a vast array of synthetic chemicals to meet all sorts of needs.

These goods and services raised the standard of living and gave the appearance of progress, so people were oblivious to the costs to our planet and its people of choices that at the time were well meaning. But conditions have fundamentally changed, and we now know that grave perils face humanity. Yet the methods, composition, and impacts of the things we make, buy, and use on a daily basis today are still for the most part the outcome of decisions and processes made 50 to 100 years ago. As a result, most production processes, goods, and services have significant adverse impacts in our workplaces—and on the natural environment that is the source of all life.

The economic rule of thumb of the past century—more and cheaper is better—must be supplanted by a new refrain for economic success and personal happiness: Sustainable is better, healthier, morally just, and essential to sustain life on the planet.

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