Assignment:
Make sure to "in text cite" anything that is beyond our text and course readings and attach a bibliography, MLA format. Common sense on length - it should be at least three single spaced pages or more. For a better grade, strive to write clearly, logically, and concretely, backing up claims with evidence when appropriate. There are no "right" answers, but draw from readings as appropriate.
1. Ray Anderson calls the first industrial revolution "The Mistake," and passionately calls for us to move on and "get it right this time" ("overtly good" in McDonough and Braungart's language). Drawing from Green to Gold, Upcycle, Daly's article, other external readings, websites, links, videos and class discussion and your own intuition and prior experience, what are some of the emergent themes/ principles/ requirements/ "frame conditions" for a sustainable economy that "gets it right"? (contrast to what we currently getting wrong as appropriate). Be explicit about the role of technology and man made capital in a sustainable world, and be very clear about your definition of "sustainability" and why you take the position that you take. This is big picture analysis - save organization level analysis/ discussion for question 2 and 3.
2. "If We Can Do It, Anybody Can....and if Anybody Can, Everybody Can." Ray Anderson claims this in one of his many videos on Interface's success in becoming a more sustainable company. But if this is true, why hasn't this happened already more broadly, in your view? (Why are we "stuck"? Why is "diffusion" of sustainable practices taking so long?) Strive to comment on the role of business (feel free to comment on non profits and other types of organizations), consumers, and government and their connection to hindering or accelerating progress towards sustainability. You should draw from readings and class discussion, and in your answer, you should also strive to include a definition of what "it" is (what constitutes an authentic pursuit of sustainability at the organization level).
3. What is the case for pursuing sustainability at the level of the organization, including the business case? Be sure to include details around the economic argument for sustainability for organizations (you can address other rationales too - including environmental, ethical, social ones). Given this, what is important for organizations as they seek to overcome barriers to change, to realize competitive advantage, and even to scale change more broadly in their industry and beyond - what are the ingredients for success? See if you can come up with at least one case example of an organization that is a model in this regard (pursuing sustainability successfully and influentially given current constraints), and provide some details. Make sure to refer to our course readings/ material/ discussions to buttress your argument.
4. Negotiable (and optional). Strike either Question 2 or 3 (in your mind of course, don't erase!) and pitch a different (better?) question that you think will help you think through an angle of the the class material/ the issues we are engaging thus far in class that you are interested in. Enter it below (and the number) and put your name next to the question; I will likely approve it.