Hawken and Lovins do an excellent job of summarizing (circa 1996, but still quite applicable), how focusing on whole systems, utilizing the benefits of natural processes, and removing waste can promote economic development while IMPROVING the natural environment. Instead of the typical extractive, exploitative processes used by industry, companies can learn from nature, leverage the 4 billion year investment in evolution, and make great strides towards improvements.
I particularly enjoyed the sections on eliminating Muda, or waste, from our processes - as these are a primary place where humankind throws away time, money, and valuable resources. There are, of course, a lot of other books out there on waste and lean thinking, so this is a good starting point.
In all, Hawken and Lovins give a great overview of many of the aspects of green industry, without sounding preachy, overly liberal, or anti-capitalism. In their world, capitalism benefits greatly from considering the impact it has on the earth and the systems therein - and that's the kind of world I want to live in.Get more detail about Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution.
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