Why the Laboratories?
Transforming the world’s economy to a sustainable basis presents the most significant challenge of our time. This challenge is unprecedented in scope. It requires a fundamental shift in consciousness as well as in action. It calls for a fresh vision, embracing the whole planet and all of humanity. Genuine change is required simultaneously in a number of dimensions: in values and attitudes, in underlying assumptions and behavior, in technology, in patterns of consumption, production, investment, governance, trade, and more.
There is, today, a great flurry of activity by organizations of all kinds -- governments, multilateral organizations, NGOs, private sector enterprises, academia, faith based organizations and others -- all addressing one aspect of sustainability or another. Progress remains fragmented, sporadic and slow, however, as critical signs of stress continue to mount affecting people all around the world and impacting all vital components of the biosphere.
Thus, even as some inspiring advances are made on a number of isolated fronts, attempts at converting to sustainability practices often fall short of the required comprehensive shift. While sincere in intent, many current initiatives are formulated within the prevailing frames of reference conforming to existing paradigms, whereas genuine breakthroughs are actually needed. These, call for creative experimentation with untested, innovative approaches, at a level of scale and cross-sector integration that is lacking in most current efforts.
The Sustainability Laboratoriessm has been established for just this purpose: to research, develop, demonstrate, and facilitate adoption of breakthrough sustainability practices in all parts of the world. The idea of a “laboratory” carries the connotation of sound science, effective technology and, most important, of breaking new ground -- of going beyond concepts and practices which are familiar today. The Labs will act as nodes in a network of international activities focused on designing and implementing shift-producing sustainability practices for the enduring benefit of all.
