Paul Hawken will speak at Gustavus on Feb. 18.
Environmentalist, entrepreneur, and author Paul Hawken will deliver a free public lecture at Gustavus Adolphus College at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 in Alumni Hall, located in the O.J. Johnson Student Union.
After deciding at age 20 to dedicate his life to sustainability and changing the relationship between business and the environment, Hawken has started and managed ecological businesses, written and taught about the impact of commerce on living systems, and consulted with governments and corporations on economic development, industrial ecology, and environmental policy.
Hawken is the author and co-author of dozens of articles and papers, as well as six books. His 1999 book Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution is published in 14 languages and was called one of the five most important books in the world today by former President Bill Clinton. His latest book, Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came Into Being, and Why No One Saw it Coming, was published in 2007.
He currently heads Highwater Research LLC, which was established to promote a new methodology for reviewing and rating corporate social, ethical, and environmental behavior. The Sausalito, Calif., based company helps identify companies that not only provide innovative products and services that address global constraints, but also integrate and demonstrate a social and environmental commitment in corporate values and objectives.
Hawken also heads the Natural Capital Institute – a research group based in Sausalito dedicated to researching principles and practices leading to social justice and environmental restoration. The Institute created the website WiserEarth.org, a free online community space connecting people, nonprofits, and business working toward a just and sustainable world.
Hawken’s appearance at the College is sponsored by the Gustavus Environmental Studies Program, the Johnson Center for Environmental Innovation, the Gustavus Lecture Series, and the Center for Vocational Reflection.
If you have questions or need additional information about Hawken’s lecture, contact Director of the Johnson Center for Environmental Innovation Jim Dontje at jdontje@gustavus.edu.
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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication Luc Hatlestad
luch@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510