In training courses, workshops, and in books — including a forthcoming new book with my friend and business partner Axel Klimek — I teach people working on sustainability how to clarify and improve their “theory of change”: their mental model of how they are driving change toward sustainability, in their specific context. At the level … Continue reading The World’s Theory of Change
Sustainability
The science and philosophy of maintaining human and natural systems
Why a “one-man musical” on sustainability, you ask?
First and most truthful answer: because it's fun. Now, here's the longer and more nuanced answer. Years ago, in the early 1990s, I discovered that music was a great way to deal with the emotions that come up around overwhelmingly huge global problems. Key people in my life — most notably Donella Meadows, lead author … Continue reading Why a “one-man musical” on sustainability, you ask?
A Brief History of Self-Sharing
On a recent ski-vacation, we bumped into one of my wife’s old school-friends. My wife was a little surprised, but not her friend. “Oh, I knew you were here,” she said. “I saw Alan’s posting on Instagram.” Unwittingly, by sharing a photo on social media — just a nature scene, shot from a moving train … Continue reading A Brief History of Self-Sharing
Compass Education takes flight – Please donate!
For years, my friends in SE Asia have been patiently building a Wonderful New Thing. It's called "Compass Education," and it's a program that is changing schools all around the region ... and helping them become models for sustainability. We're talking solar panels on roofs, kids learning systems thinking in the classroom, community action programs, … Continue reading Compass Education takes flight – Please donate!
New Sustainability “Model Calendar” for 2015!
If you are expecting photo-models, think again. This wonderful 2015 wall calendar — produced by the folks at Stockholm Resilience Center and Beijer Institute for Ecological Economics — is about conceptual models, the kinds of diagrams and think-pieces that help us understand the world. And it is a gem. Here you will find twelve essential … Continue reading New Sustainability “Model Calendar” for 2015!
My 2014, by the numbers
For me, 2014 was a particularly busy, productive, and satisfying year of work for sustainability. The account below covers the year from my personal perspective, but on most of these assignments I was joined by wonderful group of colleagues, partners, and associates. More about them at the end of this post. First, here's the report: … Continue reading My 2014, by the numbers
Getting Inspired at Inspiration Day: The Power of “Plus”
I work as a consultant. I also make my living, partly, inspiring other people — or trying to. People pay me to write, to speak, even to sing in ways from which they can gain new ideas and/or new energy, so that they can continue with the challenging work of creating a sustainable world. But … Continue reading Getting Inspired at Inspiration Day: The Power of “Plus”
The world in 2014: six shocking trends to keep watching
In a recent blog post, I looked back on 2013 in optimistic terms. Good things happened last year, and positive trends were strengthened, despite the obvious shadows and sorrows that appear in the nightly news. Now I turn my attention to the year ahead. I take for granted that most of those good things (e.g. … Continue reading The world in 2014: six shocking trends to keep watching
Assessing 2013: Another sustainable loop around the sun
It’s New Year’s Eve, the end of the year. We traditionally think of December 31 as the “end,” though in reality, we are locked in an ongoing, all-but-eternal cycle of orbital loops around our mother-star, the Sun. These annual trips are expected to keep going for 5 billion years. Talk about sustainable transportation! We inherited … Continue reading Assessing 2013: Another sustainable loop around the sun
About “Sustainability is for Everyone” (new book)
One evening last May, lying in bed, I was wondering what to say at the induction ceremony for the ISSP Sustainability Hall of Fame. Suddenly I took up my laptop and started tapping on the keyboard. The result was a little text called Sustainability is for Everyone. I feel pretty about about this little book. … Continue reading About “Sustainability is for Everyone” (new book)
Alan AtKisson 