Now read this: COTE Interview with Paul Hawken

Thanks for sharing Mary Ann.   I like the end of the article, how he emphasizes the importance of thinking carefully about the language used to frame the sustainability conversation:   ". . .communication that constantly emphasizes threat is inept if it is meant to motivate people. Every problem is a solution in disguise, and the most gnarly problem ever faced by humanity contains the most transformative possibilities imaginable. . . Architects must explore how to design in alignment with life and living systems. Never has there been a better time to be an architect." A quote of his that came up in the summer summit was also along those lines:  "Hope is the pretty face of fear.  We need to be fearless." Brian  

This is a great interview (thanks, Kira and Gunnar). Here's my favorite line: "The verbs are not commensurate with the problem." We need to find some new verbs! BdM

Wonderful interview, thank you for sharing, Mary Ann!  And I love the quotes you pulled out, Brian and Betsy! I also liked this one: "This is about designing cities to have the same or greater levels of ecosystem services than the natural systems they displace." I expect that will require a dedicated partnership between planners (American Planning Association) and architects (American Institute of Architects) and engineers (American Council of Engineering Companies and ASHRAE) and Landscape Architects (American Society of Landscape Architects) to influence policy and funding for better design and implementation of both master plans and individual projects.  I know all of these organizations are aware of and have advocated for "sustainability" over the years... but for the changes of the magnitude required, it seems all of these organizations (and other allied groups) must present a united front and clear achievable steps so everyone can move forward together. Is anyone aware of whether that is in the works with all of these groups (and others I may have inadvertently left out) simultaneously?