2017-03-15
March 15th is the forty-fifth meeting for Systems Thinking Ontario. Please RSVP at Eventbrite.
The Circular Economies - 2017, 2030 and Beyond
Innovative planners, policy-makers, architects, engineers and designers, across the globe are reconfiguring products, services and supply chains, inspired by the cyclical processes of natural ecosystems. No longer willing to allow products - along with the materials used in their manufacture - to take the one-way street to the landfill site, they are working together to develop alternatives – economically attractive and sustainable Circular Economies. A study of seven European nations found that a shift to a circular economy would reduce each nation’s greenhouse-gas emissions by up to 70% and grow its workforce by about 4% — the ultimate low-carbon economy.
Thomas Rau is a one such thought leader; an Architect who worked with Philips to turn office illumination from a product (light bulbs) into a service (light). And; now that the manufacturer (of light bulbs, in this case) owns and remains responsible for the physical product, they are incentivized to ensure that the product lasts as long as possible and that the materials can be recovered when returned to their care.
Join us at Systems Thinking Ontario on March 15th at OCAD U. when Rose Kudlac will provide an update on key principles and the latest developments of The Circular Economies. Following a brief presentation, we will have a chance to discuss the issues involved in transforming our present-day economies toward more cyclical, conserving and efficient patterns of production, usage and commerce.
In preparation, please review the following notes:
(Note, the supplementary reading on Thermodynamics is offered in respect of that science's relevance to this session as well a discussion of Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics with David M. in April.)
Venue:
Agenda
Post-meeting artifacts:
Notes and References from Rose's Presentation