WiserEarth UK
The Wiser UK group aims to bring together WiserEarth members based in the UK. We aim (among other things) to further the vision of WiserEarth and Paul Hawken in helping put up a mirror to the movement, to connect and create alliances between those working towards a more just and sustainable world. We hope that this 'flocking' effect will enable us to improve ...learn more
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Created: Mar 20, 2009
Updated: Nov 24, 2009
Membership: Open
Semi-Private
Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things
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Cradle to Cradle is a manifesto calling for the transformation of human industry through ecologically intelligent design. Through historical sketches on the roots of the industrial revolution; commentary on science, nature and society; descriptions of key design principles; and compelling examples of innovative products and business strategies already reshaping the marketplace, McDonough and Braungart make the case that an industrial system that "takes, makes and wastes" can become a creator of goods and services that generate ecological, social and economic value.
In Cradle to Cradle, McDonough and Braungart argue that the conflict between industry and the environment is not an indictment of commerce but an outgrowth of purely opportunistic design. The design of products and manufacturing systems growing out of the Industrial Revolution reflected the spirit of the day-and yielded a host of unintended yet tragic consequences.
Today, with our growing knowledge of the living earth, design can reflect a new spirit. In fact, the authors write, when designers employ the intelligence of natural systems—the effectiveness of nutrient cycling, the abundance of the sun's energy—they can create products, industrial systems, buildings, even regional plans that allow nature and commerce to fruitfully co-exist.
Cradle to Cradle maps the lineaments of McDonough and Braungart's new design paradigm, offering practical steps on how to innovate within today's economic environment. Part social history, part green business primer, part design manual, the book makes plain that the re-invention of human industry is not only within our grasp, it is our best hope for a future of sustaining prosperity.
In addition to describing the hopeful, nature-inspired design principles that are making industry both prosperous and sustainable, the book itself is a physical symbol of the changes to come. It is printed on a synthetic 'paper,' made from plastic resins and inorganic fillers, designed to look and feel like top quality paper while also being waterproof and rugged. And the book can be easily recycled in localities with systems to collect polypropylene, like that in yogurt containers. This 'treeless' book points the way toward the day when synthetic books, like many other products, can be used, recycled, and used again without losing any material quality—in cradle-to-cradle cycles. (The 2009 edition published by Vintage is printed on paper, but also recyclable!)
(BookSense is available on the website, a local purchasing option.)
In Cradle to Cradle, McDonough and Braungart argue that the conflict between industry and the environment is not an indictment of commerce but an outgrowth of purely opportunistic design. The design of products and manufacturing systems growing out of the Industrial Revolution reflected the spirit of the day-and yielded a host of unintended yet tragic consequences.
Today, with our growing knowledge of the living earth, design can reflect a new spirit. In fact, the authors write, when designers employ the intelligence of natural systems—the effectiveness of nutrient cycling, the abundance of the sun's energy—they can create products, industrial systems, buildings, even regional plans that allow nature and commerce to fruitfully co-exist.
Cradle to Cradle maps the lineaments of McDonough and Braungart's new design paradigm, offering practical steps on how to innovate within today's economic environment. Part social history, part green business primer, part design manual, the book makes plain that the re-invention of human industry is not only within our grasp, it is our best hope for a future of sustaining prosperity.
In addition to describing the hopeful, nature-inspired design principles that are making industry both prosperous and sustainable, the book itself is a physical symbol of the changes to come. It is printed on a synthetic 'paper,' made from plastic resins and inorganic fillers, designed to look and feel like top quality paper while also being waterproof and rugged. And the book can be easily recycled in localities with systems to collect polypropylene, like that in yogurt containers. This 'treeless' book points the way toward the day when synthetic books, like many other products, can be used, recycled, and used again without losing any material quality—in cradle-to-cradle cycles. (The 2009 edition published by Vintage is printed on paper, but also recyclable!)
(BookSense is available on the website, a local purchasing option.)
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Flag comment for removal blindspotter 5 months ago
Yes, great book! The credit crunch is a bummer but also a moment of opportunity to fix economics. One of the big fixes that's needed is to fit economics to nature, rather than the other way around. This seems to be quite straight-forward to do and now is the time to do it, since the costs of continuing to mess up are swamping the 'gains' of not paying for externalities and building up ecological debts. Anyway, here's my suggestion for how to make the entire global economy C2C and to rapidly reverse climate change without need for taxes or caps, From credit crunch to planet crunch - or revival? Tomorrow's economic environment could be set-up to encourage every product of every kind 2BC2C. I hope this helps.
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I too attended Art Center, but many, many moons ago - 1957 to 60. In those days the concept of design met how things looked and that was it. Less is more, form follows function, all interesting concepts, but other things were left out and I must admit still are - externalities for one.
Externalities even today are not part of the design criteria. They are barely noticed in economic arguments let alone present day designer assessments. In reality it’s the ramifications of design decisions that are made before designers get their hands on an idea. Those that make those design decision are not designers, but bean counters. Maybe the bean counters should take a few night courses at Art Center. I’m glad to know that AC has finally moved toward the reality of the impacts that come from the decisions that are made in deference to market based design decisions. |
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Great book!
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Hello and peace to all. Don't forget forgiveness. Glad to find this page. Hope to be of service. I'd like to join your page. I developed the WholEarth System while attending Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Based on the work of Bucky Fuller and others. It is a very simple way to locate and concentrate on the five elements that connect all living things to this space ship Earth. As with any complicated problem the first thing to do is simplify it. Then we can calmly begin to work out the solutions to the puzzle. Our home the planet, our body, our house. The Water. The Food. The Energy. The occupation of all living things is to provide something of real value to other living things. Sound too easy? It is, just start. Now. lance charles wholearthbuilder.com Always looking for work.
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Also see "Let My People Go Surfing" by Chouinard for other examples of commercially practical and environmentally sustainable business practices.
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