Finally, Some Practical Advice!
Recycling should be easier. How do we better recover the value still inherent in so many used goods, like those rubber kitchen mats often used in restaurants? Posed with this question recently, here are 3 steps applicable to a range of items: Continue reading »
What I’m Loving: Innovating Chicago’s Community Gardens
Chicago is home to more than 500 community gardens of various sorts, and to a diversity of organizations nurturing them. With a surge in interest, and potential decrease in available resources, however, aligning needs with support has never been more important. Enter the Growing Forward project. Foresight is employing its community engagement, systems design and innovation acumen to help these vital city assets continue to thrive.
Sustainability Leader of the Week: Jane Madden, ERM
Jane is a global corporate sustainability and CSR expert with over 20 years of experience in developing and implementing sustainability strategies for globally leading companies.
A member of Foresight’s NEXT Steering Committee, Jane chats with us about her career path in the public and private sectors, leadership, and making strides in sustainability.
FDI: How has your career evolved into the field of sustainability and what were your motivations for working in this space? Has it proven to be rewarding?
JM: My interest in corporate sustainability stems from my experience in sustainable development. As a World Bank official, I advised governments in emerging markets on Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) issues and policies. I saw the critical role the private sector plays in economic development. But, I also saw when corporations didn’t manage and measure their social, environmental and economic impact there were negative consequences for both the corporation and for society. Working at Environmental Resources Management (ERM) and helping corporations develop sustainable business practices makes my work especially rewarding. One of the reasons I joined ERM is our sole focus is on sustainable business and because we “walk the talk.” We measure and manage our own environmental and social sustainability such as Continue reading »
Where I’ll Be: 5/15 Green Drinks
Info | Register
Chicago’s top 3 environmental issues have been solved! By 2013 all residential buildings that receive pick up by the City will have recycling! Come here how waste is being redefined from Chicago’s recycling coordinator, along with two other compelling speakers.
Leveraging Fulcrum Points
Business matters. If we are going to realize a more vibrant and resilient future, we can’t ignore perhaps the most influential sector of society. In order to shift our economy from one that accounts for solely economic factors, to one that takes into consideration environmental and social impacts as well, we need new structures. The State of Continue reading »
Toward Amazing Feats of Daring
Inspiration can originate in unusual places. Last weekend, I attended a Cirque du Soleil show, the high concept reinvention of the traditional 3-ring circus. The experience was highly entertaining and unexpectedly motivating. The combination of physical prowess, technological sophistication, and aesthetic impact are elements from which those of us striving to foster greater sustainability could learn. For instance, being able to do a great trick once is one thing, but to do it multiple times with incredibly consistent results is accomplishment built on years of disciplined practiced. In contrast, sustainable innovation is in its infancy. Whether it will grow into a more mature field with a body of professionals skilled in the intricate maneuvers that such transformation requires, depends on many Continue reading »
A great opportunity to explore what has become one of my favorite areas of Chicago. If you’ve never visited the Calumet area, our friends at the Southeast Environmental Task Force are great guides. Why would we ever want to dump more trash, or put a gun range here? Go, and then you be the judge. Info
Joanna Racho: Equity in Sustainability
Foresight Immersion 2011 Fellow
Currently: Energy Operations Associate at CNT Energy
Career Path: University of Wisconsin – Madison (B.S., Human Development and Family Studies) > AmeriCorps (Volunteer Coordinator/Team Leader) > The Campus Kitchen at Northwestern University, an anti- hunger organization (Program Coordinator) > Foresight Immersion 2011 Fellow > CNT Energy, Center for Neighborhood Technology (Energy Operations Associate)
Next Step: Right now, I’m focusing on learning as much as I can in my new position as an Energy Operations Associate and then eventually I’d like to work Continue reading »
Job Description
The Sustainability Coordinator will work 20 hours a week through June of 2013. This position will report to the co-chair of the Sustainability Initiatives Task Force. The Sustainability Coordinator will manage the administration of the DePaul Sustainability Network and will provide administrative assistance in key areas to further enhance and implement DePaul’s Institutional Sustainability Plan. Continue reading »
Job Description
The Stewardship Director is responsible for maintaining and monitoring of preserves and developing and implementing natural area restoration and management plans on lands owned or protected by the Natural Land Institute, including recruiting, training and supervising field staff and volunteers, preparing grant proposals for restoration and management projects, conducting inventories and maintaining data bases of plants and animals on preserves, evaluating the restoration potential or management needs of potential preservation projects, providing technical advice and assistance to other organizations in northern Illinois, and maintaining, repairing and replacing field equipment and tools used in land management.