This was originally published in 2015 on my personal Facebook page just before I launched my North Star column on GreenBiz. If anything, the situation I attempted to describe three years ago in this popular-audience piece (written while on a trans-Atlantic flight) has continued to intensify, so I am republishing it again now. Dear Future … Continue reading Letter to Future Generations (2015)
Sustainability
The science and philosophy of maintaining human and natural systems
Save a Woodpecker, Save the Planet, Save Your Soul
I wrote this essay 13 years ago. One change: my daughters are a bit older now. The woodpeckers, however, have not changed a bit. First published 26 September 2005 on Worldchanging.com. Reprinted in Because We Believe in the Future: Collected Essays on Sustainability 1989-2009, by Alan AtKisson. Note: On Amazon.com, this book received a one-star … Continue reading Save a Woodpecker, Save the Planet, Save Your Soul
The Sustainability Change Agent’s Job Description
This year, 2018, marks a decade since I first published The Sustainability Transformation* — the 2nd book in my planned 3-volume "Optimist Trilogy." I'm now working on volume 3. But the "job description" from vol. 2 that appears on the first page of the first chapter is still highly relevant. Enjoy ... and spread. JOB … Continue reading The Sustainability Change Agent’s Job Description
How Oslo launched a new design revolution
Once in a while, a conference actually changes the world. In this case, I refer to a series of conferences in Oslo, sponsored by Norway’s National Center for Design and Architecture (known as DOGA). In 2015, a couple of sustainability visionaries there, Jannicke Hølen and Knut Bang, had the brilliant idea to focus on the … Continue reading How Oslo launched a new design revolution
How universities are using our tools to accelerate sustainability
Above: Masters students at University of Iceland completing an AtKisson "Pyramid" workshop. This article was originally published in my "North Star" column series on Greenbiz.com Just how central are universities to advancing the practice of sustainability? Most professionals would say, "Very." Universities create knowledge relevant to sustainability, they train sustainability practitioners and they often act … Continue reading How universities are using our tools to accelerate sustainability
Instagram Diary from Almedalen 2017
Here are the texts from all my Instagram posts from "Almedalsveckan", the famous Swedish week of political and (increasingly) marketing activity focused on current social issues — a "festival of opinion" as some call it. For the pictures, visit my Instagram page. In fact, Almedalen reminds me of the New Orleans Jazz Festival, with talk … Continue reading Instagram Diary from Almedalen 2017
A mini-exhibit on plastic waste, in honor of “Out to Sea”
From my Instagram account ... Follow me there, http://instagram.com/alanatkisson This is all the the plastic garbage I collected from the beach today, on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, in 45 minutes. I've arranged it as an Instagram square, for easy sharing. The "Out to Sea" exhibition we sponsored in Stockholm has closed … Continue reading A mini-exhibit on plastic waste, in honor of “Out to Sea”
Happy World Oceans Day … Seriously
From my personal Facebook page today: Dear Friends, As you know, lately I've been investing a lot of my time on raising ocean awareness (together with many thousands of other people). My firm sponsored the "Out to Sea" exhibit on ocean plastics (also known as the Plastic Garbage Project). We launched SDG14.net. I keynoted European … Continue reading Happy World Oceans Day … Seriously
What I’m currently working on
Welcome to my website. If you are looking for a bio and background on my work, click here. I work as a consultant and advisor on sustainable development. That work takes many different forms, from giving keynote speeches, to facilitating or moderating large events, to developing strategic plans, to managing small teams of researchers to … Continue reading What I’m currently working on
Crowdfunding Success: a Personal Thank You and Update
In January, I launched a "lightning challenge" crowdfunding campaign to bring a noted international exhibition on plastic garbage in the seas to Stockholm. It was successful, and the exhibit will open this week. Here is the letter I just sent to everyone who contributed, in amounts that ranged from $10 to $3,000. You can get … Continue reading Crowdfunding Success: a Personal Thank You and Update
Alan AtKisson 