CATALYST

350.org and the Day of Action

November 9, 2009 · 1 Comment

Bill McKibben organizes the largest environmental gathering in history.

350orgBy Adam Zoltowski

We all know what global warming is. All of us know that it is a severe threat to our future on this planet , and more importantly, our children’s future. However, most of us do not know how to help change things, outside of using canvas bags at the grocery store and riding a bike to work.  Keep reading →

→ 1 CommentCategories: Creative Assets · Environmental Sustainability · Global Factors · Inspiring Creativity · Policy/Politics

Fashion 2.0

November 5, 2009 · 2 Comments

The latest in fashion communication and digital media.

Fashion20_Post

Image: Nick Knight’s images as featured in AnOther Magazine, Autumn/Winter 2009

By Sapna Shah

This year’s London Fashion Week showcased a special exhibition: ‘Fashion Revolution‘ by SHOWstudio. A corresponding website launched by world renowned fashion photographer Nick Knight aims to capture the riveting relationship between fashion and digital media. Keep reading →

→ 2 CommentsCategories: Fashion · Interaction Design

Meaningful Design

November 2, 2009 · Leave a Comment

An introspective look at the value behind design.

sudanese pots

Sudanese pots by Kristina Drury

By Diane Ruengsorn
As my company Domestic Aesthetic is planning for 2010, we’re facing the ever-important question of what new products to introduce. As a product designer I should love this part of the process: to feel inspired by all the possibilities, the clean slate and new beginnings. Keep reading →

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Industrial Design · Practice · Process · Social Sustainability · Triple Bottom Line (TBL)

Valerie Casey: A Leader in Sustainable Design

October 29, 2009 · Leave a Comment

A closer look at the founder of Designers Accord.

Valerie

By Erin Weber

I just returned from the Designers Accord Global Summit on Design Education and Sustainability. It was a two-day meeting of the minds organized by Valerie Casey, the founder of Designers Accord. Keep reading →

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Design Masters · Inspiring Creativity
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Design Mind: Amory B. Lovins

October 26, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Amory B. Lovins, an American Physicist, receives the 2009 Design Mind Award

LovinsPost copy

Photo of Amory B. Lovins by Colin McCullough.

By Adam Zoltowski

Last week was National Design Week and, in New York City, there was much to see and do. It seems as though design is being discussed more now than ever before, as we look for new solutions to many of the complex problems that are rearing their ugly heads.

Keep reading →

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Design Masters · Environmental Sustainability · Transportation · Triple Bottom Line (TBL)

A Magazine After Our Own Heart

October 24, 2009 · Leave a Comment

The October issue of Metropolis explores the tools available to eco-architects and designers.

Metropolis

By Erin Weber

Metropolis is one of the favorite magazines among the CATALYST team. The publication engages us with design-savvy content and timely substance. The October 2009 issue, “The Carbon Neutral Imperative,” is particularly interesting Keep reading →

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Architecture · Environmental Sustainability · Inspiring Creativity
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Cashing in at the Recycle Bank

October 22, 2009 · Leave a Comment

RecycleBank offers homeowners incentives for recycling.
By Holly Burns

recyclebank_logo

Launched in 2004, RecycleBank is a company that gives households incentives, in the form of credit, for participating in the recycling program. This company and its founders, Patrick Fitzgerald and Ron Gonan, are an inspiration to entrepreneurs across the country who are trying to launch their own TBL-aligned companies. Keep reading →

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Case Studies · Environmental Sustainability · Infrastructure · NYC Innovation · Triple Bottom Line (TBL)
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Ever Manifesto: Fashion’s Entry Into the New World of Responsible Luxury

October 19, 2009 · 5 Comments

The launch of a new sustainable fashion publication.

EverManifesto

Pictured: Amira Fritx for ‘EVER Manifesto 01′ – Edited by Franca Sozzani

by Sapna Shah
This year’s Milan Fashion Week saw an unprecedented debut – Ever Manifesto, the brainchild of Monaco’s Princess Charlotte Casiraghi, Elizabeth von Guttman and Alexia Niedzielski. Aptly launched during the Stella McCartney show, the publication focuses on how ethics play an important role in the luxury industry. Keep reading →

→ 5 CommentsCategories: Environmental Sustainability · Fashion

Green: A Dying Trend

October 15, 2009 · 4 Comments

A new guide advises professionals how to move from greenwashing to genuine sustainability.

Understanding and Preventing Greenwash

By Ben Knight

In my last Third Thursday post, I touched on the idea of Greenwashing; perhaps I should have written and released this post first. A few months ago, the people of Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) and Futerra Sustainability Communications released the helpful business guide Understanding and Preventing Greenwash (PDF). Keep reading →

→ 4 CommentsCategories: Social Sustainability · Strategy

Making Green from Green

October 14, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Eight upcoming lectures about the business side of sustainability.

Certificate of Attendance

Our friends at the Columbia Sustainable Business Committee are launching a new program for those of us who want to remain savvy about the quickly evolving landscape of sustainable business practices.  Between October and June they will be hosting one themed, educational event each month.  To make the opportunity even sweeter, you can earn a certificate of attendance by attending six out of the eight events! Keep reading →

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Economic Sustainability · Environmental Sustainability · Events