Sustainability Illustrated provides engaging videos for learning and teaching, created by sustainability consultant Alexandre Magnin (amcreative.org).

Sustainability Illustrated provides engaging videos for learning and teaching, created by sustainability consultant Alexandre Magnin (amcreative.org). Explore more videos on sustainabilityillustrated.com and YouTube. Stay updated by subscribing (alturl.com/jc8u6), supporting on Patreon, or connecting via Twitter and Facebook.

This video introduces Natural Capitalism, a business model that values natural and human resources, alongside vital ecological services. It advocates for treating nature's contributions as assets on a balance sheet, akin to 'taking good care of the goose that lays the golden egg'. The collapse of the Atlantic northwest cod fishery exemplifies the consequences of ignoring natural capital; treating cod as an infinite resource led to its depletion and the demise of a 500-year industry. A natural capitalism approach would have managed cod as a living resource, ensuring replenishment rates were respected and focusing on the service of feeding people sustainably. Similarly, for a clothing company, this means accounting for the full value of all inputs—from cotton and dyes to human labor—on the balance sheet. Learn more about Natural Capitalism on Wikipedia and natcap.org.

This framework highlights that the economy is nested within society, which in turn depends on the environment. Therefore, economic and social prosperity are fundamentally reliant on natural and human capital. Businesses globally are adopting this model, finding innovation and competitive advantages. Future videos will delve into successful company examples, circular economy, biomimicry, and related business opportunities.

This video explains the circular economy, outlining the transition from current models with practical examples beyond simple recycling. For further reading, recommended books include *