Peter Wege, founder of Steelcase, Tony Cortese from AASHE and Grand Rapid's Mayor, George Heartwell of Grand Rapids at the new Grand Rapids Art Museum
"We get so late old and so smart" said Peter Wege using the accent of his immigrant germen grandmother. Wege, founder of Steelcase, welcomed the group of 100 university and college presidents who have gathered in Grand Rapids Michigan to discuss the greening of college campuses and curricula. He applauded the group's willingness to lead the nation in the formation of "What needs to happen." Wege's own environmental philosophy "economicology" seeks to balance nature in the finite world. Wege has led Steelcase's environmental vision for over 40 years.
Ray Anderson, self-described as a "radical industrialist and lover of profits" described the re-invention of Interface over the past 14 years in seven key steps: examining whole systems, waste as food, climate neutrality (which is chemically broader that carbon neutrality), dematerialization of the entire supply chain, bio-mimicry, thinking upside down and thinking in the round. Anderson reported that the company was halfway to its "Mission Zero by 2020" goals and linked each step to innovative products and services that have reduced GHGs (Green House Gases) at Interface by 82%, reduced water usage by 72%, reduced waste by 52% and has resulted in the shut down of 50% of the company’s smoke stacks. Quoting scientist Amy Levin, Anderson suggested that "We just need to stop having the bad ideas."
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