Ants, Galileo, and Gandhi
Designing the Future of Business through Nature, Genius, and Compassion
Edited by Sissel Waage, The Natural Step, USA
10% discount on this titleOctober 2003 272 pp 234 x 156 mm
hardback ISBN 978-1-874719-76-2 Ł40.00
Radical ideas for generating a new perspective on the dynamics of business systems.
"Anyone or any business seeking to begin, refine, or implement their sustainability-related business practices should have this book in their library."
Don Smith, Corporate Environmental Strategy
Although sustainability efforts in business are still a work in progress, it is increasingly clear that key elements of a new generation of enterprises will be radically different from those of our contemporary modern industrial economy. The core distinctions between what currently exists and what is being created are communicated in this book through the compelling metaphor of Ants, Galileo, and Gandhi.
This collection, developed from The Natural Step's conference on Sustainability and Innovation in 2002, provides radical ideas for generating a new perspective on the dynamics of business systems. 'Ants' symbolise the lessons to be learned from nature and the dependence of individual beings on broader, complex systems. 'Galileo' embodies brilliance in perceiving and proving that the current paradigm is flawed. 'Gandhi' exemplifies exceptional compassion in fighting for fundamental change.
All of these attributes are increasingly relevant in a world where, globally, we are experiencing both a steady decline in life-supporting resources and rising demands. Recognition of these challenges is sparking innovation within the private sector where the first glimmers of systemic change can be seen. The book examines the emergence of 21st-century enterprises that recognise their reliance on broad social and ecological systems ('ants'), incorporate sparks of genius rooted in rigorous analyses ('Galileo'), and acknowledge the importance of compassion and determination within any endeavour ('Gandhi').
With contributions from Ray Anderson, Gretchen Daily, Karl-Henrik Robčrt, Alois Flatz, Allen White and many more, the book illustrates that pioneering companies recognise that new opportunities emerge from recognising the broader systems on which all businesses rely. Efforts to work with ecological and social dynamics of vibrancy and resilience offer a new space for innovation. Companies are stepping into this space and exploring innovative approaches to developing sustainability-focused products, operations and strategies. These sustainability-inspired business efforts are considering new ways to address human needs and desires. The most promising approaches are based on systems thinking and recognition of the linkages between 'upstream' and 'downstream' effects of actions. Understanding the undesired 'downstream' impacts of a firm's practices draws attention 'upstream'. This assessment highlights the most expedient approach: to design these impacts out of enterprises from the very start.
The book is divided into five sections to present a set of theories emerging about sustainability and its application to: business strategy and operations; financial-sector practices; accountability and reporting drivers; and organisational change pathways. Together, these sections illustrate the current range of sustainability theories and applications.
Ants,
Galileo, and Gandhi will be essential reading for both academics
looking for robust teaching material, practitioners looking for inspiration and
the general reader interested in exploring the state of the art in the
realignment of 21st-century business.
The need to infuse nature's ways into our economic systems is no longer about
a better environment, it is about out very survival as a species-and most others
as well. Ants, Galileo, and Gandhi conveys important lessons learned on the most recent segment of this mythic journey.
Randy Hayes, President Rainforest Action Network
Despite a decade of high-level talking, and all sorts of new business initiatives, sustainability remains an elusive concept for both businesspeople and policy-makers. It needn't be like that. This is a book that cuts through the confusion, combining the hard science of sustainability with practical, real-life business experience. Continuing confusion about sustainability is not an option. We urgently need to start engaging with the real thing.
Jonathon Porritt, Chairman, The
Natural Step UK
Few books about sustainability lend insight into the intricacies of
integrating social and ecological factors into business strategy. Even fewer
celebrate the creativity necessary to do so. Aided by actionable case studies
told by pioneering practitioners, Ants, Galileo, and Gandhi brings to
life the inevitable fact that too many in the business community avoid: We are
all part of-and responsible to-a system that we don't fully understand yet
should aim to fully respect, even if only for our own good.
John R.
Emrick, Chairman and CEO, Norm Thompson Outfitters
Ants, Galileo, and Gandhi is just what the doctor ordered: smart,
detailed, in-the-trenches case studies of how companies align sustainability
with business success, along with the scientific and societal rationale that
amplify these initiatives’ importance. There may be no better set of principles
to guide today’s companies through tomorrow's challenging
markets.
Joel Makower, Editor, The Green Business Letter, and
founder, GreenBiz.com
Ants, Galileo, and Gandhi is one of the most informative,
comprehensive and inspiring works on how business and industry must think and
can act to help create a healthy, just and sustainable society worldwide. It is
the first book to link business decision-making and strategies for action to a
framework and set of scientific principles that can lead to true sustainability.
Masterfully written and based on solid theory backed up by impressive case
studies, Ants, Galileo, and Gandhi is a ‘must-read’ for decision-makers
in industry, government, and civil society and should be required reading in all
business, economics, and engineering education.
Anthony D. Cortese,
ScD, President, Second Nature
Unsustainable business practices are becoming increasingly costly as the
demand for resources rise. Companies working towards environmental and social
sustainability are learning first-hand that it’s the right thing to do and that
it's profitable. Ants, Galileo, and Gandhi provides a glimpse into a
handful of pioneering companies that are integrating systems thinking, rigorous
analysis and compassion, into their daily work.
Mats Lederhausen,
McDonald's Corporation, President Business Development
Sustainability doesn’t just happen: It requires a leap forward not just in
our processes but in our thinking. This book shows the way. Moreover, it
demonstrates that our environmental problems have common-sense solutions — that
if we are thoughtful and creative we can do better — and that our political
leaders are sadly lagging behind.
Carl Pope, Executive Director, The
Sierra Club
Ants, Galileo, and Gandhi offers a big-picture and ultimately
optimistic view of business's transition toward sustainability. By combining
case studies with a high-level overview of the sorts of work that need to be
done, it provides visionary yet practical guidance.
Carl Frankel,
Author of In Earth's Company: Business, Environment and the Challenge of
Sustainability
This book offers a compelling collection of arguments and illustrations for
convincing creative business leaders that sustainability is the desired path for
the future. Through 14 chapters covering theory, case studies, and tools, the
book shows that the business drive towards sustainability requires a systems
approach and intelligent questioning, but, also, a deep-seated concern for the
environment and all of the life it supports.
Ken Geiser, Author of
Materials Matter and Director of the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI),
University of Massachusetts, Lowell
Ants, Galileo, and Gandhi provides a good sampling of the kind of
thinking and action that will be needed to pull our world from its
ever-spiraling social, economic, and environmental problems. The authors offer a
glimpse of what it will take: revolutionary innovation, deep social
consciousness, and new adaptations of natural systems. For those who want to see
business as it should be, this is the book to read.
William R.
Blackburn, Blackburn Consulting and Former Vice-President and Chief Counsel,
Corporate Environment, Health & Safety, Baxter International
Inc.
The outline of the corporation of the future is just starting to emerge. We
owe a debt of gratitude to the pioneering work of Ray Anderson, Matt Klein, and
others affiliated with The Natural Step for bringing this outline into sharper
focus.
Woody Tasch, Investors’ Circle
The work described in this book is essential reading for the 21st-century
business leader wanting to know about the next important trends. Ants,
Galileo, and Gandhi argues that new designs for all enterprises — from
large, medium, and small businesses, through financial service sector
institutions — are becoming clear. This shift turns on integration of
environmental and social issues into business strategy and operations and the
pathways for taking these issues seriously while running a successful
company.
Michael Baldwin, President, Marion Institute and Baldwin
Brothers, Inc.
In Ants, Galileo & Gandhi ... Sissel Waage
... and her preeminent group of contributors have carefully and persuasively
found a balance capturing the essence of sustainability while at the same time
identifying and assessing important lessons to be learned from their experience
... Anyone or any business seeking to begin, refine, or implement their
sustainability-related business practices should have this book in their
library.
Don Smith, Corporate Environmental Strategy
Vol. 10 Issue 10, 2003
Read the full
review
These are smart, detailed, in-the-trenches case studies
of how companies align sustainability with business success, along with the
scientific and societal rationale that amplify these initiatives’ importance.
Mainstream managers will find both guidance and inspiration.
The Green Business Letter , November 2003
1. Introduction: envisioning the prototypical company of the 21st century
Ray Anderson, Interface Inc., Atlanta, GA, USA
2. Understanding nature’s services to societies
Gretchen Daily, Stanford University, California, USA, and Katherine Ellison, Investigative Journalist, California, USA
3. Reconsidering business from a systems perspective: the paradigm shift to sustainability-oriented enterprises and financial services
Sissel Waage, The Natural Step, California, USA
4. Integrating sustainability into business strategy and operations: applying The Natural Step approach and framework and backcasting from principles of sustainability
Karl-Henrik Robèrt, Blekinge Technical University and The Natural Step, Sweden
5. Sustainability and dematerialisation at Hewlett Packard
David Hudson, Consultant to Hewlett Packard, USA, and Lynelle Preston, Sustainability Manager, Hewlett Packard, USA
6. Engaging in change management: transformation through sustainability strategy at Norm Thompson Outfitters
Derek Smith, Norm Thompson Outfitters, Oregon, USA
7. Recreating natural-resource-based businesses: sustaining the land and communities in the US New Northwest
Cecilia Danks, University of Vermont, USA, and Martin Goebel and Karen Steer, Sustainable Northwest, Oregon, USA
8. Growing a sustainable business: establishing and financing new ecologically and socially restorative ventures
Matthew A. Klein, Verdant Power, Washington, DC, USA
9. Screening for sustainability: a case study of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index
Alois Flatz, SAM Sustainable Asset Management, Switzerland
10. Banking on sustainability: A case study of Shorebank Enterprise Pacific
Jennifer Sokolove, University of California at Berkeley, USA
11. Improving sustainability disclosure: the Global Reporting Initiative Guidelines
Allen L. White, Special Advisor to the Global Reporting Initiative, USA
12. Organisational change for sustainability within enterprises and financial services
Sissel Waage, The Natural Step, California, USA, and Juli Torok, Independent Consultant, Berkeley, California, USA
13. Catalysing action and organisational change: the role of personal and group (re)vitalisation in sustainability initiatives
Hilary Bradbury, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, USA
14. Conclusion: a shift toward sustainability within companies and the financial services sector
Sissel Waage, The Natural Step, California, USA
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Sissel Waage is the Director of the R&D Program at The Natural Step's US office. She launched the program, developing the strategy and implementing both conceptual and applied research efforts. Dr. Waage also works closely with the Services Group advising Fortune 500 companies on integrating sustainability into core strategy and operations. She has been working on sustainability issues for the past 12 years in Africa, Europe, and North America. Her areas of focus have included business, international policy-making, and community-based conservation and development. Dr. Waage has conducted research on topics related to natural resource-based businesses and economies, collaborative decision-making and consensus-building processes. Prior to joining The Natural Step, she worked with Sustainable Northwest and WWF's East and Southern Africa Program, as well as serving as a consultant to the Packard Foundation, a forest research station, and several other international conservation and development organizations. She completed her PhD at the University of California, Berkeley, in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, and received her BA degree magna cum laude from Amherst College, in Massachusetts. She has also studied at the University of Oslo, in Norway, as a Fulbright Scholar, and at the National University of Singapore. |


