Seminars
EarthPeople president Anna Clark’s speech,The Dollars and Sense of Sustainability: The Business Case for Going Green, serves as an inspiring and informative introduction to the principles and profits behind energy efficiency in the workplace. This speech can be tailored to your organization or industry, and is effective as a keynote, an executive briefing, or a stand-alone employee training.
The Natural Step Framework™ Workshop
"So why be hopeful? Because we can create new jobs, restore our environment and promote social stability. The solutions are creative, practical and profitable."
— Paul Hawken, Author and Founding Chair of the Natural Step - US
EarthPeople also offers one-day 
and two-day (or evening) seminars on the Natural Step Framework (NSF), conducted by Terry Gips. The NSF is a powerful, proven approach to sustainability based on consensus and systems thinking. Its purpose is to present a common framework comprised of scientifically-based principles that can serve as a compass to guide society toward a just and sustainable future.
The Natural Step Framework is being successfully used around the world by leading business, government, academic and religious institutions, nonprofits, and individuals. They build safer, healthier environments, save money, reduce waste, improve performance, encourage innovative thinking, attract and retain employees, create jobs, obtain funding, gain strategic position, meet ISO 14000, eliminate regulatory burdens, and build teams.
"I will think differently about everything I touch, buy, use, taste and see."
— Lauren Pace, Communications Supervisor, Eileen Fisher
Through a fun, positive, interactive, and inspiring format led by a nationally recognized sustainability leader, you’ll learn what sustainability is and how to apply the innovative, proven, and cost-effective Natural Step Framework to your work.
The Natural Step Framework in Practice
In only 17 years, The Natural Step Framework is being utilized in numerous countries by:
- Hundreds of businesses, including Starbucks, Home Depot, Nike, Bank of America, CH2M Hill Engineering, White Bear Racquet & Swim, Baltix Furniture, Lakewinds Natural Foods, the world’s largest manufacturers of appliances (Electrolux), furniture (IKEA) and commercial floor coverings (Interface), Sweden’s largest hotel and supermarket chains, biggest oil company, and McDonald’s.
- Government agencies such as the State of Oregon, US Army and Navy, more than 70 municipalities (both rural towns and cities like Stockholm, Santa Monica, and Whistler), hospitals (Ridgeview Medical Center), and schools such as the University of Texas, Houston.
Background of The Natural Step
As a scientist at Sweden’s leading cancer research institute, physician Dr. Karl-Henrik Robert was concerned that increasing cancer rates, especially among young children like those he was treating, were tied to environmental factors. He was frustrated by the lack of agreement among scientists about the cause or what to do, so he began a consensus process which resulted in 50 leading Swedish scientists agreeing on the underlying principles needed for sustainability.
This information was then shared with major corporations who recognized the need for action. They supported the sending of an audiocassette and brochure to every home and school in Sweden—4.3 million. Leading artists, musicians, and scientists produced a national TV special in 1989 to launch an educational campaign. The Natural Step became a non¬profit backed by the King of Sweden.
"My mission is to transform my company into a sustainable business—one that does well by doing good—by using the principles of the Natural Step framework."
— Ray Anderson, CEO, Interface, Inc., Atlanta, GA
