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Sustainability is a concept with no universally accepted meaning, and it often means different things to different people. The most common definition is: “the ability to meet our needs now without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” This broad definition has an intergenerational scope as well as global and local consequences. This is one of its most challenging characteristics. For example, climate change effects are felt locally and individual actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions occur at a local level, but the process of climate change cannot be addressed in a fragmented way; global cooperation will be required. To provide context to this discussion, Ron will use case study examples from two very different business organizations: (a) a large multinational corporation (Walmart) and (b) a small family-owned business (Cider Hill Farms). Given the increasingly complex and constantly changing environment in which issues of sustainability exist, the goal in this talk is gain a better understanding of the tradeoffs between meeting our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Ron Whitfield is a seasoned business economist and professor. As a business economist, his experience spans a wide variety of businesses, trade associations, government agencies, investment companies, and law firms.  Many of these clients are in the chemicals and plastics, energy, and automotive industries. Ron also has an appointment as an Executive Professor and Director of the Business Sustainability Initiative at Northeastern University where he continues to teach a popular course on Sustainability in the Business Environment. He authored a book, A Primer on Sustainability, which focuses on the challenges and opportunities of creating a more sustainable business environment. Ron earned a BA with honors in economics from Tulane University and a PhD in business and applied economics from the University of Pennsylvania. He lives with his wife, Deena, in Concord, MA.