Table Of ContentThe Sustainability Laboratory
An Overview
New York
November, 2011
229 East 85th Street P.O. Box 1571, New York, NY 10028 Tel: 212 767 9936, www.sustainabilitylabs.org
Note from the Founder
In December 1963, as a first year student at the Architectural Association in London, I attended a
lecture which was to define the direction of my life for the years that followed. The occasion was
a speech given by Buckminster Fuller to the British Association of Architectural Students. Fuller
was advocating an ambitious program -- the World Design Science Decade -- calling for all
architectural students and all architectural schools everywhere, to collaborate on a ten year
program for “redesigning” the world. This was vintage Fuller. Preposterous in light of limitations
inherent to Academia, naïve perhaps, but bold, creative and absolutely on the mark. The program
anticipated, by at least a decade or two, what later emerged as the burgeoning sustainability
agenda.
I was privileged to meet Fuller the day after the event and although a youngster in total awe we
hit it off personally and I started to work on the program. Much of the rest of my time in school
was devoted to working with him and when I graduated in 1969 I moved to the United States at
his invitation, joining his group at the University of Southern Illinois in Carbondale and working
on the World Resources Inventory, the World Game and other projects. It soon became obvious
that I shall not be following a straightforward architectural career, as originally intended, so
while continuing my work with Fuller in the US, I started commuting to London in pursuit of a
doctorate in Cybernetics studying under Gordon Pask. England was a center of exciting
innovations in the field at that time and Stafford Beer’s pioneering work on Management
Cybernetics became of central importance for me since it provided powerful tools for
understanding and addressing issues of managing complexity. I found in it a potent context for
viewing a complex world and contemplating the perplexities of emerging global challenges.
Having earned my Ph.D., I left Fuller’s operation and started experimenting with the application
of concepts derived from General System Theory and Cybernetics in practical management
situations – questions of “sustainability” had not yet emerged to the fore. In the years which
followed, I was fortunate to be called upon to assist in projects of increasing scope and
complexity, with organizations of all types, working on issues of strategy development,
organizational design and the management of change processes. By the mid eighties the world
was catching up and I became involved in assignments which echoed Fuller earlier concerns.
Some involved large regional planning efforts but whatever the specific context, all required a
systemic integration of strategies involving economic, social, environmental, technological, and
other considerations. I began to focus on issues of sustainable development working mostly with
multilateral development agencies on projects in many parts of the world.
In the sixties, when Fuller was advocating his world design program, there were just over 3
billion people on the planet. There are now nearly 7 billion and another 2 billion people are
likely to be added by 2050. There is absolutely no precedence for managing a peaceful,
harmonious existence of 9 billion people on the planet. The adverse impacts of rapid resource
depletion and the reality of whole ecosystems overwhelmed by waste by-products generated by
human activity are alarming yet they continue unabated. Broad based awareness of the issues,
and recognition of a need for change are expanding rapidly and today, there is a world wide
flurry of activity by individuals, groups and organizations of all kind, all addressing one aspect
of sustainability or another. Yet, many key components of the biosphere continue to show
serious signs of stress. Why? It appears that the world is trapped in a syndrome whereby a
dominant but no longer relevant mind set, deeply embedded in the culture, in most existing
institutions, in the established ways of doing things, in the very fabric of civilization itself, is
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unable to produce effective new solutions from within its existing frame of reference. Most
current efforts are simply not conceived of at a level required by the called for transformation.
The required change is profound. It has to cover all key dimensions of the human experience. It
has to involve comprehensive transformation in our existing mental models, in the competence
and focus of our technology, in our assumptions about the purpose and structure of the economy,
in our concepts of governance and how organizations work, in the manner we interact with each
other, in the way we behave in the biosphere in relation to all other species, and in the
fundamental values that we hold sacred. This is a tall order and an unprecedented challenge. It
requires going beyond mere adjustments in existing patterns of things to fundamentally changing
the way we manage human affairs. Effective responses will not likely emerge from the same
ways, structures and mechanisms which produced the many problems that beset our planet in the
first place. The capacity for radical innovations, for thinking out of the box and pursuing creative
experimentations free from obstacles imposed by prevailing self interests, is rare in the context
of most institutions – governments, international multilateral organizations and private sector
entities alike. For the moment, the gap between the sustainability rhetoric and actual
accomplishments on the ground remains very wide.
Free and unencumbered experimentation with new approaches and ideas is essential. Hence the
concept of establishing the Sustainability Laboratory and launching an independent, agile,
proactive and creative network of activities that, without fear or prejudice, will pursue
investigation and demonstration of groundbreaking new paths to sustainability. The comments
which follow provide a brief overview of this initiative.
Michael Ben-Eli
New York
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The Sustainability Laboratory
The Context
For decades now, increasing numbers of thoughtful observers have called attention to disturbing
patterns in the current trajectory of human affairs. Accelerating dramatically since the early days
of the industrial revolution, powerful forces in development and technology have brought new
promises and opened so many new possibilities for humankind. At the same time, driven largely
by the impact of human activities, serious threats have emerged to the integrity of whole
ecosystems, to other forms of life and to the future well being of humanity itself.
In response, a growing number of individuals, communities, governments, academic institutions,
businesses, faith-based organizations, and others have begun to join forces in actively seeking
more harmonious, inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable forms of development. Ensuring a
conscious transition of society and the world’s economy to a sustainable basis has emerged as
the most significant challenge of our time.
Why the Laboratory?
Sustainability can be defined as “a dynamic equilibrium in the processes of interaction between a
population and its environment such that the population develops to express its full potential
without producing irreversible, adverse effects on the carrying capacity of the environment upon
which it depends.”
It is such equilibrium which has been greatly disturbed by current patterns of human activity
with the result that all key components of the biosphere are showing signs of alarming stress.
Regaining balance and establishing the concept of sustainability as the organizing principle in a
new world order has now become an urgent necessity.
The required transformation is unprecedented in scope touching on all aspects and all sectors of
human activity. The objective is to foster a well functioning alignment between individuals,
society, the economy and the regenerative capacity of the planet’s life supporting ecosystems.
The Sustainability Laboratory was established in order to advance a timely and peaceful
realization of the required transformation to an enduring sustainable state. Just as the great
defense laboratories assembled extraordinary talent to work on the development of destructive
weapons of unimaginable power, the Sustainability Laboratory will facilitate the integration of
world wide talent in order to develop advanced designs for enhancing the well being of the
planet as a whole with all its inhabitants.
To this end the Lab will engage in research, development, demonstration, and dissemination of
new models for cutting edge sustainability practices. It will do so through a world wide network
of linked activities which will function, by design, as a vehicle for fostering change.
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Mission of the Lab
In this broad context, the Lab will act as a global change agent. Its mission is:
“To act as a catalyst for accelerating the transition of world’s society and its economy to a
sustainable basis by researching, developing, demonstrating, and facilitating adoption of
breakthrough sustainability practices, expanding prospects and producing positive, life
affirming impacts on people and ecosystems in all parts of the world.”
The Lab’s Signature Approach
To guide its activities, the Lab has developed its own, unique action-oriented conceptual
framework integrating a number of key elements:
A rigorous definition of sustainability with a derived set of five core sustainability
principles. Developed by Dr. Michael Ben-Eli, these principles are expressed in relation
to five domains: the Material domain which constitutes the basis for regulating the flow
of materials and energy that underlie existence; the Economic domain which provides a
guiding framework for creating and managing wealth; the domain of Life which provides
the basis for appropriate behavior in the biosphere; the Social domain which provides the
basis for social interactions; and the Spiritual domain which identifies the necessary
attitudinal value orientation and provides the basis for a universal code of ethics. The
original document is appended below.
A perspective on evolutionary process and a theory of change which together provide a
blueprint for addressing complexity and managing significant change processes. This
framework is informed by General System Theory and Cybernetics. It has been
developed and refined in conjunction with undertaking multiple concrete, practical cases
of strategy formulation and change management assignments with organizations of all
types.
A comprehensive, systems oriented design strategy for project planning and the
facilitation of development processes that integrates a number of essential traditions
notably, Buckminster Fuller’s Design Science; Russell Ackoff’s Idealized Design; and
Stafford Beer’s Viable System Model. These great bodies of thought have been
synthesized, applied and honed during numerous consulting projects with diverse
organizations in many parts of the world.
Using this framework, combining and integrating its elements, the Lab will focus its work on
identifying key sustainability-related issues and developing a portfolio of cutting edge, show-
case model approaches and demonstration projects, applicable to local, regional, or planetary
concerns.
Functional Focus
To bring about deep change, the Lab will initiate, stimulate and support the creation of multiple
path-breaking solutions in locations around the world. Its action oriented demonstration projects
will be designed to address the full spectrum ranging across the sustainability challenges. It will
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be a seedbed for creating and disseminating fundamental advances and supporting wide-spread
adoption of innovative approaches through its research, development, education, financing and
policy programs.
Functionally, work of the Lab will be focused on four main, interrelated areas of engagement:
Strategy Development: Supporting leaders, in both private and public sectors, as well
as communities, in developing proactive, innovative strategies for sustainability
practices and providing strategic input for shaping public policy.
Technology Development: Stimulating development of breakthrough sustainability
enhancing technologies, facilitating the transfer and adoption of pioneering technologies
and assisting in designing and realizing prototype applications of integrated, appropriate
sustainability technologies on the ground.
Financing: Providing assistance in sourcing appropriate capital for sustainability related
projects, assisting in tailoring financial instruments for realizing specific sustainable
development goals, and helping stimulate investments in sustainability-centered
ventures.
Education: Engaging in a variety of educational activities including developing training
programs for leaders in business and government, developing special programs for
schools at all levels, and creating sustainability-related materials for public information.
The idea of a “laboratory” carries the connotation of sound science, effective technology and,
most important, of breaking new ground -- of going beyond concepts and practices which are
familiar today. The Lab will be developed to foster creative exploration with untested, innovative
approaches, driven by a rigorous, holistic conceptual framework and highlighting cross-sector
and cross-discipline integration.
Organization: The Lab as a Network
The Sustainability Laboratory is being developed as a global network of collaborating programs
and institutions subscribing to a common set of principles, values and operating practices. The
Lab will comprise of a driving core with a network of cutting edge research and development
centers working on addressing and solving the most critical sustainability issues facing the
planet. Centers will be selected and developed based on pertinent thematic areas, particular
technologies or types of human habitats, for example. They could also be defined by geographic
regions, biomes, or major ecosystems that share common challenges. The latter could include
centers for dry land sustainability, tropical, alpine, arctic, and other typical regions.
Each such research and development center will function and develop autonomously. Each will
conduct research, development and education programs pertaining to its thematic focus and its
region, producing results applicable locally as well as in other similar parts of the planet. Thus,
for example, a center for dry-land sustainability, contemplated for the Negev desert in Israel,
could address issues of local significance while contributing to similar regions in other parts of
the world. Whenever possible, centers will be anchored in already existing institution that are
compatible with the Lab’s mission and its commitment to uncompromising excellence.
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While engaged in facilitating on going development of the network as a whole, the core’s
primary purpose will be to launch new initiatives identifying, mapping and addressing
sustainability issues that are global in nature and cannot be addressed by any region alone.
Scientific, technical and other resources from network centers will join, as appropriate, in such
initiatives. These kinds of efforts will be pursued as single components of a deliberate,
comprehensive, design framework for the planet as a whole.
Active interaction among partners will strengthen research, development and education
throughout the network and help each partner institution become an effective catalyst for
accelerating desired change. For example, partner institutions will be able to collaborate in a two
year, Masters level educational program -- the Lab’s “Global Sustainability Fellows” program --
offering young participants opportunities for acquiring a deep understanding of sustainability
issues and sharing experiences in different projects and in different parts of the world.
The network as a whole will foster collaboration by developing an effective electronic platform
for information sharing; converging periodically for strategy meetings on sustainability related
issues; and engaging in an ongoing, collective review of experiences, best practices, key issues
and management approaches. Ultimately, the goal will be to produce measurable impacts by
developing breakthrough designs, at the same time touching the lives and imagination of young
people, encouraging grass root involvement and devising ways to incorporate people who are
kept away from the development process.
Structure and Levels of Affiliation
The Lab’s driving core will be comprised of a nucleus of international staff that will develop,
coordinate and catalyze the work of the network. The network as a whole will be developed and
expanded over time by establishing thematic or regional sustainability research and development
centers; expanding the project base in each; and strengthening collaboration among centers in the
network.
Individual research and development centers will be able to choose to participate in the work of
the Lab at different levels of affiliation and commitment. They may loosely affiliate for
collaborating on a specific initiative; they may act as an autonomous, on-going center associated
with carrying out Lab’s activities; or, they may participate as a full fledged member, playing an
active role in the Lab’s overall development and governance.
While each center will be responsible for funding its own programs, such “local” funding efforts
will be augmented by resources and fund raising initiatives of the Lab as a whole.
Current Status
The Sustainability Laboratory has been established as a US - based, not-for-profit, research,
development and educational organization, under the laws of the State of Delaware. The
following points offer highlights of the Lab’s current status:
The Lab’s driving core consists of the principal founder, a three person interim board, a
twenty person, international advisory council, rotating young interns, and a number of
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senior level, experienced individuals who are assisting in developing various aspects of
the Lab on a voluntary basis.
A flagship project -- Project Wadi Attir -- is well under way. It is focused on developing
a model sustainable, community-based, agricultural enterprise adapted to an arid
environment, with a group of Bedouins in the Negev desert in Israel. This project is
being developed in collaboration with the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and other
local and international partners.
A Sustainability Prize and a yearly seminar program at EARTH University, in Limon,
Costa Rica are now well into their third year. Two awards were already won by students,
for their graduation projects in the university’s entrepreneurial program.
Embodiment of the Five Core Sustainability Principles in
Project Wadi Attir
Producing fundamental innovations on a number of fronts, project Wadi Attir is designed to
demonstrate the integrated application of the Lab’s five core sustainability principles:
The project is anchored in a declared covenant in which community well being and
authentic values, respect for nature and fellow human beings, a productive mode of living,
creativity, entrepreneurship, innovation, harmony, and integrity are emphasized.
It is designed to maximize the use of renewable resources; eliminate harmful
emissions and other adverse impacts; aim for near zero waste and the highest resource
productivity; implement a continuous flow of by-products by integrating key functions; and
rely on the use of non-fossil, clean sources of energy.
It will demonstrate the operation of a productive, just, self-sufficient and fiscally
sound economy managed to systemically enhance key, interdependent forms of capital
resources: financial, natural, human, social, and manufactured through conscious
deliberate design.
It will put emphasis on the care, respect and well-being of animals and plants
through all phases of their life cycle, and intentionally enhance the biodiversity of the
project site.
It will establish a collaborative, equitable, communal undertaking, emphasizing
cooperation, mutual support, transparency, inclusion in governance and sharing in all
responsibilities and benefits while empowering and educating individuals as well as the
community as a whole.
The first eco-zone related node in the Lab’s network of activities -- the Drayland
Sustainability Initiative -- has been recently established in collaboration with the
Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, at
their Sede Boker campus in the Negev desert. The purpose is “to advance research,
experimentation and field testing of means, methods, practices and technologies for
achieving sustainability in dryland regions.”
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Agreement has been recently concluded for a similar joint initiative with EARTH
University in Costa Rica. The purpose is to expand current activities of the Lab at the
University and set up a new center with focus on sustainability issues in the humid and
dry tropics. Preliminary discussions are being held with officials in Bhutan (alpine zone)
as well.
A dynamic program of seminars and lectures has been undertaken in locations around the
world. A web site has been established and videos and papers produced to jump start the
educational agenda of the Lab.
A Sustainability Entrepreneurs™ seminar was delivered at the Esalen Institute in
California. It is now being developed into an on-going program of yearly workshops
intended for active change agents -- young professionals from around the world. These
workshops are conceived to encourage the emergence of a new breed of Sustainability
Entrepreneurs, men and women who wish to incorporate sustainability principles in their
socially conscious businesses or philanthropic ventures.
Work has begun on design and curriculum development of the Lab’s “Global
Sustainability Fellows” program. This new, international, Masters level educational
initiative will be conducted in collaboration with a group of select research and
educational institutions from around the world, representing different disciplines ranging
from architecture and urban planning, to engineering, business, law, design, health, and
more. The program is being designed to prepare future generations of leaders in
government, business and civil society to effectively tackle the challenges of a world
wide transition to an enduring, sustainable state.
Short Term Goals
Rapid developments in the lab’s activities over the last two years have set the stage for ongoing
expansion and require a new level of consolidation and integration. Short terms goals for 2011
and through 2013 include the following:
Implementation of project Wadi Attir and guidance of the first phases of its operational
development. Scaling up the project regionally, in collaboration with Bedouin
communities in Jordan and the Jordan University of Science and Technology at Irbid.
Expansion of current activities with the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel
and EARTH University in Costa Rica, and the establishment of permanent centers of
activity of the Lab at both institutions.
Establishment of a beachhead for Lab activities in Bhutan.
Launching of the Sustainability Entrepreneurs Seminars program with one yearly
workshop session in the US, one in Europe and one in Asia. Setting up of a global
alumni network of graduates from this program.
Finalizing course design and curriculum development for the Lab’s Masters level
“Global Sustainability Fellows” program. Signing up academic partners, resolving
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accreditation questions and launching the program with first batch of international
students.
Establishment of a Project Development Fund that will be used to finance the
preliminary stage of projects. This fund will make possible the financing of early,
preparatory activities including preliminary concept formulation; reconnaissance and
concept validity assessment; identification and early engagement of key stakeholders;
and the establishment of an early project team and a project development strategy.
Completion of organizational transition from the initial core group to a viable
governance and management structure. Update of web site and development of an
interactive on-line platform to support the Lab’s activities.
Securing of stable, long term funding for the Lab consistent with its mission and scope
of the world wide sustainability challenge.
Developments during the next three years should set stable foundations for a period of expansion
and growth that would follow, characterized by facilitating change and affecting positive,
strategic impacts in the world.
Indicative Operating Budget for the Next Three Years
Seed financing of $180K has been raised for each of the past three years to support the initial
start-up activities of the core of the Lab. During this time, the Lab was instrumental in leveraging
nearly one million dollars in direct project funding. With the same basic level of yearly operating
expenses, the Lab is now involved in securing nearly seven million dollars in direct project
funding to be disbursed over the next three years.
Indicative budget for operating the lab and developing a number of new programmatic fronts
would be in the order of $5 million over the next three years. This indicative budget will
comprise the following: a small core staff, operations and space, at an average of $0.5 million
per year; setting up and operating the “Sustainability Entrepreneurs” program and the masters
level “Global Sustainability Fellows” program; setting up and operating four regional centers at
an average cost of $ 0.5 million, per year, each; provision for a project development fund; and
provision for a reserve; as follows:
Three Years Operating Costs: $ 1.5 M
Educational Programs: 1.0
Four Regional R&D Centers: 2.0
Project Development Fund: 0.5
Reserve: 0.5
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Total: $ 5.0 M
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Description:To this end the Lab will engage in research, development, demonstration, and
notably, Buckminster Fuller's Design Science; Russell Ackoff's Idealized Design
