The Necessary Revolution: How Individuals And Organizations Are Working Together To Create A Sustainable World (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
This book was read at the same time as Meadows' System Thinking. I thought the book had some great examples of large organizations going toward a more sustainable business model. Many people in our reading club thought the beginning was too drawn out, however I disagree. It is the case studies in this book combined with the lessons learned that really made it a powerful read. Being that I am involved in the sustainability industry as a professional, I find it hard to imagine there are people out there who would pick this book up that were not already involved in The Green Revolution. This book needs to be required reading material for plant operators, businessmen, engineers...basically those who run buildings, businesses, and governments. What I thought was going to be a profile of organizations working towards sustainability was so much more. A set of guidelines and a prescription for how organizations, businesses, workers can make change and induce more sustainable practices for business.Put a face and name to the method of thinking that I choose over all others - systems thinking (seeing the whole) and provides tools and step by step instructions as to how individuals and groups can implement systems thinking within their organizations.Overall the premise is simple, 3 basic rules to developing sustainable business for the world post the Industrial Age bubble: first to implement systems thinking, second to collaborate across boundaries, and third to move from problem solving to creating. Three easy concepts and useful ones at that - being able to see the whole is vital to sustainability and any survival of any system or issue, working with people across boundaries recognizes the importance of collaboration and how interconnected we all our (people and ecosystems alike), while moving from fixing a problem to creating a desirable future is a positive and aspirational step that helps motivate people in the right direction. I love these 3 steps and the book explores them more in depth and provides further tools to help others to implement them. A must read for anyone who wants to make change and recognizes that no business is sustainable if we cannot sustain life on our planet.
What do You think about The Necessary Revolution: How Individuals And Organizations Are Working Together To Create A Sustainable World (2008)?
reading for my work book club. I hope it does not suck since I am the one who suggested it.
—ghina
Refreshing advice on a cooperative path toward a regenerative economy.
—JoJo001122
