2010 Nobel Prize Winning Political Economist Identifies 8 Ways For Groups To Manage Their Own Affairs Sustainably and Successfully

A lot of data interpreted by the right kind of theory was required before Lin Ostrom's could identify the eight ingredients that enable groups to manage their own affairs. A warning is in order before I proceed: After you learn them, you are likely to think "Of course! Aren't these obvious?" The answer is "Only in retrospect". The ingredients did not emerge from neoclassical economic theory, a long intellectual journey was required for Lin to discover them, and all successful explanations, obvious or not, must be understood in terms of a formal theoretical framework. Without further ado, here is Lin Ostrom's recipe for success, taken from the final chapter of her book Understanding Institutional Diversity. 1) Clearly Defined Boundaries. The identity of the group and its rights to the common resource must be clearly delineated.

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Glass Leaf Produces Energy by Sweating

Glass Leaf Produces Energy by Sweating

Electrical engineers in the US think that synthetic leaves could be used to generate electricity in a different way – by sweating.

The new synthetic leaves lose water through evaporation to create that mechanical water pump effect, and use it to generate power.

The System could be scaled up to produce artificial trees that generate power entirely through evaporation wherever there's a cyclical change in humidity. Although the modest power output is not enough to rival solar technology, Maharbiz thinks it could act as a complementary technology – the sunlight that generates solar power could also drive transpiration to boost the electricity generated.

Source: New Scientist

Trash to Treasure - Ron Krueger - NSW Business Chamber

If ever the saying ’where there’ s muck there’s brass’ befits an organisation, it applies to Reverse Garbage - a 35 year old business that takes waste and creatively turns it back into useful everyday items. There’s no end to the organisation’s ingenuity and inventiveness - bicycle tyres fashioned into belts, computer parts turned into funky jewellery and lampshades, recycled plastic moulded into stylish handbags that would not look out of place in a designer store and kiddies’ juice poppers made into neat little purses. These are just a few of hundreds of designs that allow artists to embellish their creativity on a contract basis with the organisation.

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CLF Interview David Parken - CEO The Australian Institute of Architects

Ralph Kerle, chairman of the Creative Leadership Forum interviews David Parken, CEO of the Australian Institute of Architects about the importance of creativity, innovation, leadership and collaboration in the field of building, architecture and infrastructure

CLF Interview David Parken - CEO The Australian Institute of Architects from Grant Crossley on Vimeo.

To complement this video you should also check out the amazing work the Australian Institute of Architects are doing with Google Earth: http://www.architecture.com.au/i-cms?page=10778

Mapping the Big Picture (the Core Briefing)

Many people are concerned about the future, and indeed are actively working within their own sphere to do the things we need to do to create a positive future. Others are concerned, but do not have a clear idea of the kinds of changes we need to make in order to have a viable society in, say, 30 years. We are at a remarkable point of choice at this time in human history. The decisions and actions we take today will have huge consequences for young people alive now – some of whom may be reading this manual – and certainly for all grandchildren yet to be born. It is well established that our rate of ecological deterioration is worsening, not improving, despite local improvements in some areas. We are in a race between exponentially increasing environmental deterioration and people’s increasing desire to make the changes necessary to avoid collapse. Which will determine our future? Will we be the generation that fulfils humanity’s promise, or the generation that knowingly destroys the Earth?

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