WiserEarth Governance

Bruce L. Erickson, As a futurist, writer, speaker and international management consultant, I've researched and addressed the issues of planetary vitality and balance for the past 25 years. The process of creating sustainable, healthy community has been at the fore of my endeavors. Currently, I am a member of the board of advisors of SustainLane, which ranks U.S. cities and their best practices. The general focus of my work has been projects that develop stronger relationships on critical issues among various sectors of the world community at all levels.  These endeavors have featured the tools and technologies of effective education, communication, business, wellness, and governance to facilitate more vital community relationships, from personal to global. For example, I have been

+ member of the original steering committee for bringing The Natural Step to the US in 1995

+ member of the development team of the first public Internet service “The Source”, starting in 1979. 

+ a former member of the Institute for a Sustainable Future (1997 - 2005).

+ on the board of directors for the Monterey Bay Region Futures Network during the 1992 -1998.

+ a speaker at many of the World Future Society International Conferences

More recently, my work with sustainable communities has become paramount. This interest began in 1982 when I organized a forum for the College of Marin on how the county would recover from floods that had created a national disaster area. In 1992-93, I was a member of the team that worked with the mayor of Santa Barbara to facilitate town hall meetings, spawning the renewal of a city center that is now regarded as one of the most beautiful cities on the California Coast. Since then, I have addressed many audiences, including the 2001 UN NGO Summit in New York, which examined the role of NGOs (nongovernment agencies) to help create sustainable communities worldwide. On the fateful morning of September 11, 2001, I was the last speaker at the UN before we all witnessed the world community’s reaction to the life-changing events of that day. In October 2001, I chaired the forum at The City University of New York (CUNY), called “On Recovery and Renewing the Spirit of New York City Communities.” I also conducted workshops at the International Sustainable Resource Conference at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and addressed the UN World Environmental Day in San Francisco in 2005.

 Currently, I am a member of Al Gore's Climate Change Presenters’ Team, having trained with him in Nashville last January and member of The Alliance for Sustainability, Most recently, I appeared in the Santa Barbara Film Festival documentary “Much Ado About W” on the importance and effect of community art programs. I understand this film will be aired on PBS TV sometime next year.

 It is my mission to help create sustainable healthy communities, particularly in North America, in order to provide a quality of life in harmony with nature and our environment. Because humanity shares so much in common and can learn from one another, we are called to share ideas from around the world that work, especially when applied at home. Now is the time to provide lively bio-regions of sustainable interchange in response to the increasing detrimental impacts of environmental damage and climate change. This is essential for the well-being of all as well as an opportunity for personal service, growth and joy.

Recent community research, seminars and client consulting:

2006 Sept./Oct. Cortes Island – British Columbia, Canada  - For 4 weeks I interviewed the residents, business owners and local agencies on the issues 1000 islanders face to address their issues of how to create a sustainable healthy community when faced with the challenges of a changing climate, decline in traditional areas of work and a changing economic reality for everyone. Also the effects climate change on the timber industry and a decline in fishing.  Islanders asking themselves why over 50 farms existed on the island 50 years ago and only 4 today, while food and transportation costs rise.  During this period I was also a featured speaker at the International Web of Change Conference at the Hollyhock Conference Center, addressing issues of sustainable community.

Currently Bruce is working in media communications, covering issues of creating sustainable healthy communities worldwide.

Bruce L. Erickson – B L Erickson & Associates

406 Santa Fe Place #3, Santa Barbara, California 93109
& Email: BruceLErickson@yahoo.com -  Ph: 805-568-1656