Driving Change at Harvard Business School
Exciting to be back in Boston, driving the circular economy agenda for businesses, policymakers, and academia! Our latest stop at Harvard Business School was a resounding success, filled with thought-provoking discussions and inspiring insights.
Insights from Harvard Business School
At Harvard Business School, we had the privilege of meeting with Professor Willy Shih and Mike Toffel, who shared valuable insights into HBS’s exploration of the circular economy. Last year’s event, “A Trillion-Dollar Opportunity Hiding in Plain Sight – the Circular Revolution,” organized by Summa Equity’s Reynir Indahl and Harvard Business School’s Professor George Serafeim, showcased the vast potential for circularity.
Amplifying Gen-Z Voices
The roundtable discussion at the Harvard Faculty Club focused on amplifying the voices of Gen Z—those born from the late 1990s to early 2000s. John Della Volpe, Director of Polling at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, highlighted Gen Z’s resilience and their dedication to addressing crucial issues like environmental justice and economic equity.
Bjørn Arild Thon, author of Let’s Get Practical, emphasized the importance of finding our place in the transformative concept of the circular economy. Harvard students advocated for a bottom-up approach for individuals and stressed the necessity of a top-down approach, with defined roles and regulations, for corporations.
Engaging Discussions at the Museum of Science Boston
Reflecting on the insightful discussions at the second roundtable, held at the Museum of Science Boston, where business leaders, policymakers, and academia converged, we were inspired by the depth and breadth of the conversations.
Phil Riggins from Nexus Council shared compelling insights from the latest polling on US views regarding the circular economy, emphasizing the crucial role of language in effectively addressing climate change. Tim Ritchie, the president of the Museum of Science, highlighted the institution’s pivotal role in exploring innovative climate and circular solutions and their impact on our daily lives—from how we live and move to what we eat and how we work.
A Journey of Sustainable Change
In the runup to an important election in the US, our exploration of circular economy principles has taken us from Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, to New York, and now to Boston. To deal with the challenges the world is facing, we need to show a willingness to disrupt the status quo. Choosing the right language is crucial; the circular economy can unite us and bring us all together in the right direction.
At st. john’s press, we are thrilled to see the momentum building around the circular economy and the enthusiastic participation of diverse stakeholders. The discussions in Boston have reinforced our commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation in the pursuit of a sustainable future.
Stay tuned as we continue this journey, bringing together voices from around the world to champion the circular economy and drive meaningful change. Together, we can make a difference and pave the way for a greener, more sustainable world.