Fred Kirschenmann, a distinguished leader in sustainable agriculture and an organic farmer, concluded his reflections on agriculture's future at the Organicology conference in Portland, Oregon. He began by addressing the "third elephant in the room": climate change.

Kirschenmann emphasized that climate change is already impacting regions worldwide, citing examples like Australia, China, and California. His insights underscore the urgent need to confront this global challenge within agricultural practices.

Fred Kirschenmann, Distinguished Fellow at the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, asserts that organic farming doesn't automatically equate to sustainability. He advocates for a shift from a "steady state" to "resiliency," noting that "greening up" isn't enough.

Kirschenmann, a third-generation organic farmer and long-time leader, highlights the unsustainable depletion of finite energy (hydrocarbons) and water resources. He warns that technology alone cannot provide substitute solutions. This insight stems from his talk at the Organicology conference.

In this old bikeTV segment, Mark Lakeman from Portland, OR's City Repair Project discusses the organization's origins and mission.

He details how the community actively engages in both the creation and utilization of public spaces, fostering a collaborative approach to urban development.

An EcoDistrict is a neighborhood or district dedicated to significantly improving its environmental performance. This commitment is realized through an integrated strategy.

This strategy involves engagement, self-governance, and benchmarking to guide informed decisions. Key areas include demand management, green building, infrastructure, and community best practices.

Oregon aimed for 25% renewable energy use by 2020, establishing itself as a global hub for solar manufacturing.

SolarWorld in Hillsboro exemplifies this leadership. With over 2,700 employees, the company is recognized as one of the world's largest solar energy businesses.

On April 17, 2009, MoneyTV's Don Baillargeon interviewed Tom Djokovich, CEO of XsunX, Inc.

Their discussion focused on the solar power industry.

SeQuential Pacific Biodiesel has completed a new, expanded plant. Featuring advanced technology, it represents Pacific Biodiesel's most efficient design to date.

Community-based biodiesel production offers a vital way to provide local and sustainable energy to any region.

Janine Benyus urges inventors to look to nature for design solutions. She demonstrates how natural principles inspire innovative products—from waterproof materials to aerodynamic and solar-powered technologies—achieving spectacular results.

Presented on August 6, 2009, this talk highlights the power of biomimicry. Explore more at the Biomimicry Institute, TED.com, and TED's Top 10 Talks.

In a 2007 talk from TEDtalksDirector, Worldchanging.com founder Alex Steffen stressed the urgent need to reduce humanity's ecological footprint. Learn more at TED.com.

Steffen argues this is critical because the Western consumer lifestyle is rapidly spreading globally. We are currently consuming resources at a rate requiring five planets, yet we possess only one.

On October 19, 2009, acclaimed filmmaker and internet phenomenon Annie Leonard delivered a speech at Bioneers.

Leonard exposed the hidden costs of consumption, offering a hopeful vision for moving beyond the "Age of Stuff." Her presentation advocated for a future where "doing the right thing" becomes the default option. You can find more from Bioneers on their YouTube channel.

Acclaimed filmmaker Annie Leonard exposes the hidden costs of consumption, offering a hopeful vision for moving beyond the "Age of Stuff."

Explore her films and work by searching for "Annie" on EarthSayers. For more information, visit her Bioneers page: bioneers.org/annie-leonard.

On October 19, 2009, acclaimed filmmaker Annie Leonard explored the hidden costs of consumption and presented a hopeful vision for moving beyond the "Age of Stuff."

For more on her work, visit http://www.bioneers.org/annie-leonard. Additional content is available on earthSayers; search "Annie."

*Manufactured Landscapes* is a striking documentary exploring the work of acclaimed artist Edward Burtynsky. Internationally recognized for his large-scale photographs of "manufactured landscapes"—quarries, factories, and dams—Burtynsky transforms industrial sites and waste into beautiful art.

The film follows him through China, documenting the effects of its vast industrial revolution. Through breathtaking sequences, it expands on Burtynsky's photographic narratives, prompting reflection on humanity's environmental impact and showcasing both industrial epicenters and their waste.

Oregon is an excellent business location. The Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD) actively promotes the state globally, focusing on retaining existing companies and attracting new ones.

A key industry where Oregon holds competitive advantages is solar cell manufacturing. OECDD's targeted recruitment has successfully brought significant investment, with companies like Solaicx and SolarWorld establishing operations and creating hundreds of new jobs.

Marine life has long faced unchecked exploitation. Rapid technological advances have equipped vessels and equipment with unsustainable power and reach, far exceeding nature's ability to maintain marine populations.

If this continues, the consequences for the marine environment and dependent communities will be severe. For more information, visit Greenpeace's oceans campaign.

Dennis Wilde, a Principal at GEDI, is a nationally respected green building expert. With over 20 years in urban planning and design, and active in real estate since 1980, he co-founded GEDI's Sustainable Solutions division. His responsibilities include feasibility studies, pre-construction and construction management, and overall project oversight.

Wilde champions innovative concepts like EcoDistricts, which are neighborhood-based systems. He advocates for reducing consumption, adopting closed-loop systems, and replacing narrow, siloed thinking with holistic, appropriately scaled, and decentralized approaches.

Dennis Wilde, a Principal at Gerding Edlen Development, is a nationally respected green building expert. He helped establish the Sustainable Solutions division of GEDI, which he joined in 1997. With over 20 years in urban planning and design, Mr. Wilde oversees project management, from feasibility studies to construction and tenant improvements.

In an interview, Wilde discussed how The Natural Step influenced his sustainability journey, highlighting the importance of existing infrastructure and occupant behavior beyond new buildings. Gerding Edlen leads North America in LEED projects and, since 2008, has targeted net-zero energy, carbon, and waste for all future developments.

Ann Livingston, Boulder County's Sustainability Coordinator, presented a low-cost public structure in Colorado that has channeled $10 million in private funding. This initiative, focused on a triple bottom line, supports the "Race for American Jobs."

Other featured leaders included Stacy Barr (National Program Director, Veterans Green Jobs), Alice Madden (Colorado Climate Change Coordinator), Auden Schendler (Director of Sustainability, Aspen Skiing Company), John Powers (Sustainable Colorado), and Ravi Malhotra (iCAST).

The "Race for American Jobs: Clean Energy Leadership" was a four-week, coast-to-coast virtual campaign by BICEP, in partnership with We Can Lead. It aimed to highlight the economic and job-creation benefits of national climate and energy legislation, advocating for investment in a low-carbon economy and establishing a carbon price.

The campaign engaged business leaders nationwide through events in Oregon, Colorado, Ohio, and New Hampshire, concluding in Washington on March 10. Each event featured panel discussions with major consumer brands and local clean economy entrepreneurs, contributing to thought leadership in Sustainability, Clean Tech, and Energy in 2010.

John Doerr, a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB), has a track record of backing leading entrepreneurs, including Google and Amazon. His venture capital focus centers on recruiting top talent and building effective teams.

Doerr distinguishes between the Internet and Energy markets. He notes that the energy sector involves higher costs, longer development cycles, and significantly more policy-intensive challenges.