The Sustainable Enterprise Conference (SEC) of Sonoma, presented by Sustainable North Bay, began as a grassroots effort in 2005 when local leaders gathered to address the growing opportunity to promote sustainability best practices in the North Bay region. These monthly meetings laid the groundwork for the first SEC in 2006, which attracted over 150 community leaders and established a tradition of convening forward-thinking individuals and organizations. Over time, the conference expanded to welcome over 400 attendees annually, becoming a key event for sustainability in Northern California.
Sustainable North Bay’s collaborative approach ensures that the SEC remains a dynamic and impactful event. Its success is built on bringing together leaders from regional institutions, local companies, agencies, and non profit organizations committed to preserving the environment, fostering meaningful employment, and creating a future that is both equitable and sustainable. Through SEC and related events, Sustainable North Bay has engaged hundreds of leaders in discussions and initiatives that promote a resilient, sustainable future.
Sustainable Enterprise Conference (SEC) of Contra Costa first convened in 2016 and the Sustainable Enterprise Conference (SEC) of Marin launched in 2018. These satellite events were organized by passionate sustainability champions of their respective communities following the successful model from Sonoma of bringing business, education, and community leaders together to share sustainability best practices.
One Planet Living
The Synergy of One Planet Living Principles and Donella Meadows' Leverage Points at the Sustainable Enterprise Conference
At the Sustainable Enterprise Conference, we integrate the One Planet Living Principles with Donella Meadows' Leverage Points: Places to Intervene in a System to create a cohesive framework for understanding sustainability in action. This combined approach provides both clarity and depth, making complex issues accessible and actionable, even for those new to systems thinking or unaware of the true value of natural ecosystems.
Why One Planet Living? The One Planet Living framework simplifies the intricate web of sustainability challenges, breaking them down into ten interconnected principles. This accessibility is crucial for engaging a broad audience, especially those not yet versed in systems thinking or climate science. By fostering a shared understanding, the framework inspires collaborative solutions and emphasizes the urgency of building momentum for climate action now.
Connecting to Leverage Points Donella Meadows' leverage points describe the most effective ways to intervene in a system, from altering parameters to fundamentally shifting paradigms. The One Planet Living principles align with these leverage points, providing a practical pathway to engage and transform systems:
- Paradigm Shifts: At the heart of systemic change lies the ability to shift paradigms—our deeply held beliefs and assumptions. One Planet Living provides a shared paradigm rooted in sustainability, equity, and harmony with nature, offering a hopeful and actionable alternative to prevailing narratives.
- Empowering Engagement: The principles serve as a springboard for collaborative engagement, encouraging diverse stakeholders to co-create solutions. This collective approach mirrors Meadows' emphasis on empowering feedback loops and fostering self-organization within systems.
- Letting Go of Fixed Paradigms: As Meadows suggests, the highest leverage point is to remain unattached to any single paradigm, embracing flexibility and openness to new ideas. This perspective allows for radical empowerment and creativity, enabling us to choose frameworks that best align with our evolving understanding of sustainability and our collective purpose.
At the Sustainable Enterprise Conference, we invite participants to adopt this perspective, encouraging them to:
- Challenge Assumptions: Question existing paradigms and explore new ways of thinking.
- Listen Deeply: Engage with diverse voices, from scientific insights to community wisdom, to uncover innovative pathways forward.
- Act with Purpose: Align individual actions with community outcomes, whether inspired by personal values, team spirit, organizational goals, community aspirations, or global principles.
By integrating One Planet Living principles with Meadows' leverage points, the Sustainable Enterprise Conference provides a holistic framework for addressing today’s most pressing sustainability challenges. This approach not only makes complex issues approachable but also empowers participants to envision and implement transformative solutions.
Resilient Local Economies
A cornerstone of the SEC is its focus on resilient local economies, emphasizing the role of sustainability in fostering economic prosperity. By addressing issues such as green job creation, housing affordability, and waste reduction, the conference highlights pathways for communities to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Our speakers explore how green industries can generate equitable employment opportunities while reducing environmental impact. For instance, discussions on regenerative agriculture showcase how local food systems can strengthen regional economies, support biodiversity, and enhance food security. Similarly, sessions on housing sustainability emphasize the importance of accessible, energy-efficient housing in building economically stable communities.
The SEC also underscores the value of public-private partnerships, illustrating how collaboration between regional institutions and businesses can drive innovation and resilience. Companies with national reputations for sustainability join forces with local organizations to share best practices and scale impactful solutions. This spirit of cooperation not only enhances the North Bay region but also serves as a model for sustainable development globally.