Naturalpath

"The three E’s of sustainability: ecology, economy and equity… and I actually added a fourth E which is education because I believe education is the context and the catalyst for us to get involved and take action.

Overview

Andrés Edwards is a sustainability consultant, educator, entrepreneur, and author. He creates innovative ways to illustrate the relationship between individuals, the built environment and living systems. His work includes writing, teaching and consulting with businesses, municipalities, educational institutions and non-profit organizations. His areas of expertise include developing environmental assessments and resource efficiency strategic plans and training and communication programs that promote an organization’s sustainability mission and goals.

Expertise

Andrés holds a BA degree in Geography from the University of Colorado; an MPS in Media Studies from NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program and an MA in Humanities and Leadership/Culture, Ecology and Sustainable Community from New College of California, Santa Rosa. He is a LEED® Accredited Professional, Permaculture certified, graduate of Angeles Arrien’s Four Fold Way leadership program, and a member of the US Partnership, United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development program. Affiliations include: Founding board member, Redwood Empire Chapter of US Green Building Council; Advisory Board, New College of California, San Francisco, CA.; member of Environmental Education Council of Marin (EECOM).

Philosophy/Passion

The increasing global environmental, social and economic challenges we face demand a new worldview that goes from “sustaining” to “thriving.” The root word of “thriving” comes from “grasp to oneself.” As we ‘grasp’ that we are an integral part of nature and not separate from it, and that we can each make a difference (power of one), we move closer to devising and implementing innovative solutions for thriving communities. One of our greatest assets is our unlimited imagination, capable of fostering the well-being of all species and the earth's life-support systems.

Credentials/Publications

Andrés is the co-director of the Center for Regenerative Design which promotes sustainability education programs by working with colleges and universities, municipalities and green businesses.

He has served as producer, exhibit developer, and consultant for projects in natural history, biodiversity and sustainable community in Northern California, Florida, Missouri, Alaska, Illinois, Washington D.C., Taejon, South Korea and Kerala, India.

Andrés is author of The Sustainability Revolution: Portrait Of A Paradigm Shift (New Society Publishers, second printing, 2006), which analyzes sustainability as defined by five key sectors of society: Community (government and international institutions); Commerce (business); Natural Resources (forestry, farming, fisheries, etc.) Ecological Design (architecture, technology) and the Biosphere (conservation, biodiversity, etc.) in terms of the principles, declarations and intentions that have emerged from conferences and publications, and which serve as guidelines for policy decisions and future activities.

Andrés is co-author with Robert Apte of TIBET: ENDURING SPIRIT, EXPLOITED LAND, about the traditional livelihood of nomads and farmers on the Tibetan Plateau. Andrés has specialized in sustainability topics for the last 15 years. He has given radio and television interviews and lectured and presented seminars about his work at conferences, colleges and universities, and for businesses and community organizations.