After reflecting on the US presidential election, the Brexit vote and other recent political events, I put my thoughts into an open letter, published on my company website. You can read it here.
To the President-Elect: A Confidential Briefing
To the President-Elect of the United States: Considering who your closest advisors are, it is a fair guess that no one else is going to give you a briefing on sustainability. So I offer you one. I will keep it short, because you have a lot of information to absorb now. (People say that you … Continue reading To the President-Elect: A Confidential Briefing
Post-Election Statement
As a dual citizen of the USA and Sweden, I am determined to keep working for the vision and reality of sustainable development for all, here in my beloved Sweden and Europe where I live, in my beloved USA where I have both family and business ties, and around the world. That imperative does not … Continue reading Post-Election Statement
Launching “Swedified” – a new blog
For years, I have wanted to write about what it is like to come to this small, unusual country — Sweden — and then become part of it. There is a Swedish word used to describe foreign people (or things) that have been absorbed by the unique culture of Sweden, but have been given a … Continue reading Launching “Swedified” – a new blog
Finding Purpose in Bangkok
I just had the pleasure and privilege of doing the opening keynote at Sustainable Brands Bangkok 2016. The "Sustainable Brands" concept has truly spread around the world. What's brilliant about KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz's creation is the way it attracts a broad business audience: not just the "true believers" in sustainability and CSR, but also the … Continue reading Finding Purpose in Bangkok
“Start a New Life in the Colonies …”
I woke up early this morning, pre-dawn. Storm, wind and rain. For some reason, I had a strong urge to watch a bit of the classic film "Blade Runner". I was surprised to note that the future it depicts so compellingly is dated November 2019 -- just around the corner. Fortunately, our world does not … Continue reading “Start a New Life in the Colonies …”
Hillary Clinton for President
"The word 'debate' loses its meaning when one candidate is serious and the other is a vacuous bully." So wrote the New York Times in today's edition, and I could not agree more. I am breaking with my usual habit of staying publicly neutral on US electoral politics and strongly endorsing Hillary Clinton for president. … Continue reading Hillary Clinton for President
Swiss reject pioneering “Green Economy” referendum, but Geneva passes it
Yesterday, Switzerland held a remarkable vote. The question: whether to legally limit the country to living within its share of the ecological limits of our planet, by 2050. Currently, Switzerland uses three times the sustainable level of resources; so passing this law would have required the whole country, legally, to start a march toward physical … Continue reading Swiss reject pioneering “Green Economy” referendum, but Geneva passes it
“Do not forget”: A few terrible facts about torture
A few important facts that Americans must keep in mind as we head to the voting booth in 2016: The Republican candidate has said publicly, "I would bring back waterboarding, and I’d bring back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding,” adding, in other appearances, “Don’t tell me it doesn’t work—torture works,” and “If … Continue reading “Do not forget”: A few terrible facts about torture
“Deplorable”: Why we have to speak up about the US election
Watching this US presidential election cycle, from my vantage point in Sweden, has been among the most painful political experiences of my life. It is truly excruciating to observe the constant mendacity, meanness, and boastfulness of the Republican candidate (I am a dual US/Swedish citizen and grew up Republican, but currently have no party affiliation). … Continue reading “Deplorable”: Why we have to speak up about the US election
Alan AtKisson 