Last week, I had the honor of co-hosting Sir Jonathon Porritt at Georgia Tech to speak about his new book The World We Made. Jonathon is a pioneer in sustainability development and an advisor to The Prince of Wales, he has been closely involved in developing sustainability strategies for companies. He is also a former director of Friends of the Earth, founder and director of Forum for the Future, an eminent commentator, author and broadcaster.
I first met Jonathon at The Global Summit for the Travel and Tourism Council in Abu Dhabi earlier this year where we were both speakers. However, I first became familiar with him when my father published his book Save The Earth in 1991 and have long since been an admirer. He has been a major global influence in sustainability, technology and politics.
The Turner Foundation, along with Novelis and the Georgia Tech Center for Business Strategies for Sustainability, co-hosted a luncheon and networking event centered around The World We Made. It is the story of a 50-year-old teacher looking back from 2050. Jonathon walked attendees through key global events and technological breakthroughs that will transform our planet over the next half century. These breakthroughs are laid out as chapters in the book, for example, China phasing out 1 billion incandescent light bulbs and becoming a role model for an “eco-civilization” economy for the rest of the world, as well as how New York’s old Empire State Building pioneered the use of super-insulated glass, just to name a few.
I wonder if the book will prove to be a blueprint for how to move forward in to a sustainable future. The book is a fascinating and inspiring read on how we can take back our planet.
All the attendees were given a copy of The World We Made, and I especially hope it will inspire some of the talented graduate students in attendance! One of the most exciting outcomes of the event is Susan Kidd, the Director of Sustainability at Agnes Scott College, will be using the book as her primary text for the upcoming Environmental & Sustainability Studies (ESS) 101 course.
The following day Jonathon appeared on CBS This Morning with Charlie Rose to discuss The World We Made. Make sure you check out the interview, it gives a great summary! Also, I am excited to announce I will be joining Jonathon again next month to speak at the 2013 Slow Life Symposium in Soneva Kiri.
