Sustainability & The Economic Crisis

This letter was written by Kelly Hawke Baxter at The Natural Step and is a very inspiring piece about showing bold leadership at a time when everyone else is doing what is safe.

Albert Einstein once said, we can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. The current global economic crisis is a perfect example of the need for a new way of thinking.

We can’t look at the global economic crisis without also looking at the challenges of the climate crisis, water scarcity, food shortages and extreme poverty. We need to step back and look at the whole system, realize that all these problems are in fact interconnected and that we can’t address our economic concerns in isolation from our social and environmental concerns. These crises are all symptoms of a larger global system that is out of balance. The need for sustainable development has never been greater.

But with so much pressure to cut costs, some people are wondering if businesses can afford to begin or sustain social and environmental initiatives.

We know they can’t afford not to.

Tough times call for bold ideas. Now is not the time for incremental change. Now is the time for transformative change. We need to transform the way we live, work and play to live within the planet’s ability to sustain us while we also address our economic challenges.

The good news is that many leaders understand that sustainable development will be the engine that drives innovation, and create new jobs that are in line with the planets ability to support us. Those businesses and communities that have integrated sustainable development into their operations, decision-making  and planning are not turning from their commitments now.

The Natural Step has been working with leading communities in Canada for many years. We’ve also been working with leaders and innovators in the business community. This newsletter highlights some of our strongest corporate partners and their work toward a sustainable future. In a time when headlines are flooded with the need for belt-tightening and cost-cutting, these businesses have made sustainability an integral part of their business. Their efforts show us the way to a better tomorrow and we’re proud to share their stories with you.

Sincerely,

Kelly Hawke Baxter
Executive Director
The Natural Step Canada

Via The Natural Step