TEDxHomer - Dr. Trista Patterson - What Would Nature Do?

Dr. Trista Patterson, a former whitewater rafting guide (US, Patagonia, Italy, Nepal and Costa Rica) takes us on an uncommon exploration of economics (a.k.a. 'the dismal science')- showing how principles found in nature, and human nature, can help us sustain global economies and ecosystems.

Dr. Patterson repurposes, redesigns and restructures economic systems, to better align them with the planet's living systems of which they are a part. She has pioneered strategies to reduce the cost and environmental footprint of federal governments (the world's largest consumers) and co-leads the D4 design team of the United Nations Environment Program TEEB: The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity a collaboration of scientists, policymakers, businesses, and citizens reporting on the global value of nature. A noted economist, writer, systems thinker, she has served as scholar in residence at the Santa Fe Institute, the University of Siena, Italy, and as a Meadows Fellow at the Sustainability Institute. She joins us from Sitka.

About TEDx
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

• Category

  Education

[blindjoshua]

Humans are infatuated with dead animals, particularly dinosaurs. When we are children it is obvious, and as adults we put them in our automobiles, use them to make plastics and fertilizers, and go to war over them. If humans did exist with dinosaurs, they are getting they might be getting the last laugh, I'm not certain. 

[Debra Smith]

I totally loved this video and it tells truths from my MBA that i have had trouble finding again. The sound is poor and it has a slow beginning but it is soooooooooooo worthwhile.

[ForeclosureDiscovery]

Thanks Trista, very well presented. I also think that "eco"-nomics is the future and that revaluing the economic paradigm from growth to sustainability is key. Our economy is our species-wide bloodstream and by revaluing economics in this way, we redirect blood flow to the organs that need it most. We may have a hard time convincing Wall Street, so we can make these changes locally for now. Ill be blogging about your angle more myself as time goes on.