On Feb. 28, 2013, during the Intermountain Sustainability Summit at Weber State University, L. Hunter Lovins gave the keynote address.
Lovins talked about economic development in Utah, especially for small communities.
“If you want to be the center of the outdoor industry, you’re going to have to start thinking differently,” says Lovins. “Getting a handle on bad air quality will determine the future of Utah.”
According to Lovins, a fracking well lasts about six months, but there are a “tremendous number” of things that a small community can do to avoid becoming the victim of fracking.
Small communities should support local businesses with the same incentives that they would offer larger businesses. They should also create businesses that meet local needs, teach young people to create businesses and ensure that there is a net gain from any benefits given to any business.
“If you go after tar sands,” says Lovins, “you will destroy any hope ever of” tourism, small business development and agriculture.
Lovins’ Natural Capitalism Solutions offers the LASER (Local Action for Sustainable Economic Renewal) guide for small communities online.
“If we set BHAGs, big hairy audacious goals, and innovate to meet them,” says Lovins, “this is the way that we can build a planet that we all want to live on.”
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