Paul Hawken

Economist and Entrepreneur• Paul Hawken is a lot of things, but it’s all driven

by a deep concern and moral obligation to betterthe planet in its social and environmental issues.

• It is these values which have birthed his theoryof economics, a guide book really, on howbusiness and economics can remain true to theworld

• These Ideas are reflected in six best-sellerbooks

• He has founded and co-founded over tensuccessful businesses since 1966 (including thecountries first natural foods company)

• When Paul was twenty he decided to dedicate his life tochanging the relationship between business and theenvironment to one of sustainability

• 1965 he worked along side Martin Luther King Jr.’s staffin planning the march from Selma to Montgomery. (hewas even kidnapped by the KKK and saved via FBIintervention)

• Traveled the world, venturing as far as insurgent runBurma to research deforestation and to several war-tornnations on humanitarian missions

• Each of these events strengthening his investmentin humanity and furthering his beliefs regarding theeconomy

•When Paul was twenty he decided to dedicate his life to changing therelationship between business and the environment to one of sustainability•1965 he worked along side Martin Luther King Jr.’s staff in planning themarch from Selma to Montgomery. (he was even kidnapped by the KKK andsaved via FBI intervention)•Traveled the world, venturing as far as insurgent run Burma to researchdeforestation and to several war-torn nations on humanitarian missions•Each of these events strengthening his investment in humanity and furtheringhis beliefs regarding the economy

Background

Economic Belief• “The ultimate purpose of business is not, or

should not be, simply to make money. Nor is itmerely a system of making and selling things.The promise of business is to increase the over-all wellbeing of humankind through service, acreative invention and ethical philosophy.”

• the world is rapidly being depleted andsustainability in the end is the cheapest solution

• Corporations are the major source of wrong inthe world and are subject to the same ethical,and hopefully logical obligation to theenvironment

•2004- : founded “Highwater Research”•2003- : CEO of “PaxIt”•2000- : Executive director of “Natural Capital Institute”•2000-2004: Founded and led “Groxis, inc”•1990-2000: Founded and led “Meta Code”•1995- : Consultant for “Interface,inc.”•1979-1991: Founded and led “Smith & Hawken” a 75 million dollar catalog and retail company•1966-1973: Founded and Led “Erewhon Trading Company”•Many other positions with consulting firms and environmental organizations

Entrepreneur

•authored dozens of articles appearing in over a hundred publications since 1983•Over two million books sold•Bill Clinton named him “one of the ten most important people alive”•He is leading by example in how one can be successful and a great asset to the world at the same time, influencing hundreds of small business owners•Since 1983, has keynoted conferences, led workshops, consulted with governments and corporations throughout the world on economic development, industrial ecology, and environmental policy, and the effect of commerce upon the environment•Most of all, he is optimistic addressing the hope for our world. Check out the video its pretty awesome!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1fiubmOqH4

Influence

Sources• Hawken, Paul. "Dreams of a Livable Future."

UTNE READER [Nationwide] May & june 2003:1-5. Print.

• “home.”paul hawken. Web. 10 Feb. 2010.http://paulhawken.com/home.html.

• Duin, steve. “a wink of optimism in bleak times”.The oergonian [portland] 15 april. 2008: 1-2.print.

• Hawken, paul. The ecology of commerce. Newyork: harper collins, 2005. print.