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As part of this work, we draw inspiration from growing movements to claim and control 'the commons'. This refers to resources that are life's necessities. They include: Natural resources: land, water, air, and sources of energy Cultural resources: knowledge Economic resources: funds for investment in the public interest Social resources: relationships and activities through which we help each other participate and flourish

Our Agency is leading efforts to coordinate the first statewide Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy to drive long-term climate action across key California landscapes. This strategy was called for in Governor Newsom's nature-based solutions Executive Order intended to accelerate climate smart land management in the coming years and decades.

"The land trust movement in the United States has gained notoriety over the past 20 years mainly for its role in environmental conservation. Known as land conservancies, these non-profit organizations, such as the Nature Conservancy, acquire development rights or land in fee simple, in order to conserve natural resources by protecting land from development. "

Our vision is that, given the challenges faced by our civilization, the depletion of natural resources, and the anticipated contraction of modern economies, the transformation of our societies will only be possible through positivist approaches and intrinsically guided by principles of sustainable/regenerative and ethical development of local communities, while respecting and restoring natural ecosystems and promoting diversity and inclusion.

No country in the world currently meets the basic needs of its citizens at a globally sustainable level of resource use. Our research, recently published in Nature Sustainability (and summarised in The Conversation), is the first to quantify the national resource use associated with achieving a good life for over 150 countries. It shows that meeting the basic needs of all people on the planet would result in humanity transgressing multiple environmental limits, based on current relationships between resource use and human well-being.

"LocalScale is an organisation focusing on the development of resilient and sustainable local economies through the use of technology, science and regenerative activities. Our vision is that, given the challenges faced by our civilisation, the depletion of natural resources, and the decline of fossil energies, the transformation of our societies will only be possible through positivist approaches and intrinsically guided by principles of sustainable/regenerative and ethical development of local communities, while respecting and restoring natural ecosystems and promoting diversity and inclusion."

The Institute's mission is to provide innovative strategies, working models and timely information to support environmentally sound and equitable community development. To this end, ILSR works with citizens, activists, policymakers and entrepreneurs to design systems, policies and enterprises that meet local or regional needs; to maximize human, material, natural and financial resources; and to ensure that the benefits of these systems and resources accrue to all local citizens.

Changeologists everywhere: people who are focused on making change happen in their communities, workplaces, and organisations. It's about "what works" in enabling change in fields like sustainability, health, road safety, natural resource management and emergency management. The focus is on ways of thinking that challenge our assumptions, on innovative tools, products, and resources, and on new processes, especially those for facilitating highly diverse groups. It's a rapidly changing field, with plenty to be inspired about, and always something new.

Facing the challenges of sustainably managing and sharing water - our most precious natural resource - requires collaboration, education and outreach. Since 1977, the Water Education Foundation has put water resource issues in California and the West in context to inspire a deep understanding of and appreciation for water. 

Smarter Cities, a project of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a non-profit 501(c)(3), is a multimedia web initiative whose aim is to be a news-you-can-use web portal for and about cities striving to make themselves "smarter" - more efficient, sustainable, equitable and livable.

Systems change on a huge scale is needed at this point in history. Many of our institutions, industries, organizations and professions were built in a very different context. A context where for example we believed that we could have constant economic growth, without fear of running out of natural resources. The concept of white supremacy was accepted. Women had clearly defined roles and were not seen as capable as men in the workplace.

Learn more about the system dynamics lab at Washington University in St. Louis. We are experts in developing simulation models of problems facing complex social systems. A resource for students, professionals, and researchers, we help build the capacity of those who want to learn and apply system dynamics in order to understand and address specific problems within an organization and community. Our Research Our research includes a focus on understanding the role of social determinants at the community level, identifying strategies for reducing disparities, and informing implementation, scale-up and sustainability of evidence based interventions. Application areas include community responses to intimate partner violence, mental health, natural resources, obesity, cancer, child and maternal health, financial inclusion, K-12 education, and juvenile/criminal justice. Community Engagement We are actively involved in advancing participatory group model building (GMB) methods in diverse communities including both international and domestic settings. Teaching We are invested in building capacity in system dynamics among the next generation of researchers, policy makers, and social innovators. The lab offers a sequence of graduate level courses that prepare students to tackle dynamic social problems with innovative, design-driven, transdisciplinary solutions.

Code for America hosted Nick Hanauer and Eric Liu for a discussion of their recent book, "Gardens of the Democracy." In it, they challenge Americans to approach the world not as a machinery that needs to be perfected but as a garden that needs constant attention, discretion, and periodic weeding. The book argues that since society and technology have fundamentally changed, so must our notions of citizenship and democracy: turning "the machine" into a garden. 

NRDC is the nation's most effective environmental action group, combining the grassroots power of 1.3 million members and online activists with the courtroom clout and expertise of more than 350 lawyers, scientists and other professionals.

The TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE TOOL is designed to help optimize the impact of economic development investments on economic vitality, natural resource stewardship, and community well-being. Click below to get quick facts, or download this User's Guide to dig into details.