The New World of Green™Global transformational change in how we conduct
business, make products and manage our organizations is undergoing explosive growth. This societal cultural change is fueled
by understanding and embracing the principles of sustainability and life-cycle value. The core of value includes efficient
use of precious resources, environmental restoration and protecting our health. The results are tremendous: increased profitability
for our businesses, personal lives and the planet.
The building industry is leading the charge towards sustainability
through creation of green buildings. The catalyst of this leadership is the nation’s fastest growing industry coalition,
the
U.S. Green Building Council, now with 16,000 organizational members. USGBC’s LEED® Rating System is now being used by over 3.5 billion square
feet, in 25,000 projects, representing more than 10% of the market.
David Gottfried will share global insight,
stories, experience and inspiration from his personal “greening” journey on these life-changing trends of sustainability
and present his vision in the context of “green” as our new world and the essence of value.
The GBC (Green Building Council) Story™Paul Hawken writes,
“I have said that
if this movement towards a green and just world is to succeed, it will be because we will build a more interesting sandbox
for everyone to play in. That is what David did: He founded and helped build the most important green trade organization in
the world. There is virtually no second place. Thousands of people and companies are playing inside it, creating the best
standards in the world. Nothing compares with the growth, magnitude, and import of the
U.S. Green Building Council. No organization has had a bigger impact on the environment than this one in terms of energy and materials saved, toxins
eliminated, greenhouse gases avoided, and human health enhanced. And it is just beginning.”
Now with 20,000
organizational members and 78 chapters, the USGBC has been called the fastest growing non-profit in the world, and amongst
the top five most important. The organization’s LEED® Rating System is now being used by over 7.1 billion square
feet, in 32,000 projects in 117 countries, plus 22,000 LEED Homes. Over 100 cities are mandating LEED, along with dozens of
state and federal government agencies. USGBC’s Greenbuild conference is now the largest green building conference in
the world, with 25,000 people in attendance at Greenbuild Chicago in 2007.
The
World Green Building Council was first conceived by David Gottfried in 1998, with the founding of the world’s second council, the Japan Green Building
Council. Today, WorldGBC’s union of includews GBC’s being formed in 64 countries.
In this inspiration
talk, David Gottfried will share the need, vision and fascinating stories of his founding of the USGBC and WorldGBC. These
organizations have established the foundation for the greening of the global building industry, the world’s largest.
The GBC story shows how one can not only change the world, but also build a movement – one that will determine the future
of society.
Eight Steps of Transformation™Achieving transformation
of an industry, organization, or one’s own life is a hard thing to accomplish. As one embarks on this sacred journey,
so many questions emerge:
• How does one define transformation?
•
What are the key steps?
• Where does one start?
• Are there established
methods?
• Is the stick or the carrot more important?
• What do I
do when I’m stuck?
• What are the key organizations leading the charge?
•
Where does one go for inspiration?
• How do I transform my own life?
David Gottfried
will present his eight-step program to achieve transformation. The steps were developed based on Gottfried’s 15 years
of experience in founding and helping direct the U.S. and World Green Building Councils. The program is applicable to all
of us, in our work and personal lives. It also helps transform our organizations, industries and countries. Gottfried's unique
experience and inspiring stories span all of these levels.
Greening Our Lives™“We must be the change we wish to see in the world”
--- Gandhi
In 2000, David Gottfried had his second epiphany*, the imperative of greening his own life. He realized that “green”
needed to go deeper than just creating LEED® Platinum buildings, or driving a Toyota Prius: it had to penetrate one’s
heart, way of living and associated impact. Gottfried then understood that if we are to green the world, we each need to first
green ourselves and own individual spheres of influence. Reliance on green-technology is just not enough.
Gottfried’s
next step upon this realization was to invent his own personal green rating system, nicknamed “LEED-Life”. It’s
a 100-point, ten category individually tailored rating system inspired by LEED. The rating system categories are very broad,
spanning the areas of health, work-life, financial, social, contentment, eco-footprint, and life’s summing up.
In this unique emotionally inspiring and moving talk, Gottfried will share his second epiphany and its impetus, and then
proceed to guide the audience through his development and the importance of using his Green Life Rating System (Green Life
101). The system provides a map, compass and direction for all of us to continue and advance in this life-changing journey.
