Center for Social Innovation

Earth May Be Approaching 'Tipping Point,' Stanford Scientist Says

The planet may be nearing a critical threshold, beyond which environmental changes will be rapid and unpredictable, according to a study co-authored by Stanford Professor Elizabeth Hadly.

Resource: News Article

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Solar Power's Bright Future

A conversation with Stefan Reichelstein on the economics of solar power.

Resource: News Article

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Stanford Researchers Help Predict the Oceans of the Future with a Mini-Lab

[photo - Predict the Oceans of the Future]

Scientists from Stanford and elsewhere joined to create a mini-lab in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The device can simulate predicted future ocean conditions – such as rising carbon dioxide levels – and their effects on ecosystems such as coral.

Resource: News Article

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A Fresh Look at Renewable Power

Jeffrey Ball, at the Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance, says it’s time for the world’s approach to renewables to “grow up.”

Resource: News Article

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Environment, Government

Stanford's George Shultz on Energy: It's Personal

George Shultz leads a group preparing to propose a federal tax on carbon to slash U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and oil consumption, a seemingly unlikely policy from a Republican Party statesman.

Resource: News Article

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Earth May Be Approaching 'Tipping Point,' Stanford Scientist Says

The planet may be nearing a critical threshold, beyond which environmental changes will be rapid and unpredictable, according to a study co-authored by Stanford Professor Elizabeth Hadly.

Resource: News Article

Topic :

Solar Power's Bright Future

A conversation with Stefan Reichelstein on the economics of solar power.

Resource: News Article

Topic :

Stanford Researchers Help Predict the Oceans of the Future with a Mini-Lab

Scientists from Stanford and elsewhere joined to create a mini-lab in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The device can simulate predicted future ocean conditions – such as rising carbon dioxide levels – and their effects on ecosystems such as coral.

Resource: News Article

Topic :

A Fresh Look at Renewable Power

Jeffrey Ball, at the Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance, says it’s time for the world’s approach to renewables to “grow up.”

Resource: News Article

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Global Issues, Social Innovations, Social Policy, Environment, Government

Research: Local Warming

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Summer 2010

Global warming is harmful to most—but helpful to poor farmers. As the prices of crops go up due to drought, some farmers will sell their produce for more and the extra cash flow will lift communities out of poverty.

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Case Study: LEED the Way

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2010

The LEED system is the platinum standard for green building certification, and its parent organization, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), is one of the fastest growing nonprofits in America. Here’s how the USGBC maintains its strict standards while responding to diverse members in an evolving field

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Research: Tech Clears the Air

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2010

Manufacturing growth doesn’t harm the environment—it helps

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Sell the Wind

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Winter 2010

Many social changes hinge on good marketing. But what are social marketers to do when their target audience couldn’t care less about—or even despises—the change they want to make? Here’s how one group got everyday people to care about alternative energy.

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Second Chances and a Third Bottom Line

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Winter 2010

Recycla Chile, Latin America’s first e-waste recycling company, reclaims value from discarded electronics and marginalized people.

Economic Development, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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MicroEnergy Credits Corporation: Catalyzing Clean Energy for the BoP

Using existing microfinance institutions and recent developments in the carbon credit markets on the supply side to facilitate the adoption of clean energy for the very poor.

Resource: Blog Post

Video/Audio : All | Audio | Video

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Environmental Sustainability and Clean Energy

A new green industrial revolution is necessary to improve America's competitive position, reduce dependence on oil, and mitigate climate change. So says Secretary of Energy and Nobel in Physics winner Steven Chu in this talk at Stanford University. Chu talks about the scientific realities of global warming, technology solutions to address it, and how such efforts may stimulate the U.S. economy.

Resource: Audio

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Sustainability Opportunities in Global Supply Chains

When a company like Wal-Mart decides to work with suppliers to reduce their emissions, a positive ripple is created throughout the global economy. However, is there room for smaller innovators when it comes to greening the supply chain? In this audio interview, part of the Future of Green series from Stanford's Center for Social Innovation, Professor Gary Gereffi and EDF's Andrew Hutson talk about opportunities for sustainable supply chains in the age of globalization.

Resource: Audio

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New Sustainable Business Models

Bringing along the consumer, Method and Zipcar have provided greener alternatives to our everyday lifestyles. By creating this catalyst for change, they moved their products and services ahead of industry leaders and scaled this impact with market success. In this Future of Green open call series from Stanford's Center for Social Innovation, founders Robin Chase of Zipcar and Adam Lowry of Method speak on building a company around a radical and sustainable business model.

Resource: Audio

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Can Corporations Really Change?

Market practices are changing. With a focus on sustainability, corporations are moving toward operations that reduce the environmental impact of their products and services and offer an integrated bottom line. In this audio interview, part of The Future of Green series, host Neal Gorenflo speaks with Maurice Bechard of Diversey and Michael Kobori of Levi Strauss & Co. about the motivations for change and how to approach this shift.

Resource: Audio

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Environment, Nonprofit Management

The Role of Social Norms in Energy and Water Conservation

If you stayed in a hotel recently, you may have seen signs that encouraged you to reuse your towel in an effort to conserve resources. What drives you and others to participate in this environmentally and economically beneficial program? Professor Noah Goldstein studies the factors that motivate individuals to engage in prosocial actions using descriptive norms to design effective messages. He presents his research in this audio lecture presented by the Center for Social Innovation.

Resource: Audio

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Stanford's Guatemala Service Learning Trip, 2008-5

The trip embodies the goals of the Stanford Graduate School of Business. For Joseph, the global trip "helps me put face and story for my passions."

Resource: Video

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Stanford's Guatemala Service Learning Trip, 2008-4

The experience brought back to the GSB: It was a proud moment when a classmate raised his hand and said, "In Guatemala we saw this as an example of what you just said."

Resource: Video

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Stanford's Guatemala Service Learning Trip, 2008-3

Getting Passionate About the Supply Chain: On a 3-hour bus ride, students debated the coffee supply chain and what could be done. For John Joseph, it "was fun to see how passionate they were about it."

Resource: Video

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Stanford's Guatemala Service Learning Trip, 2008-2

From Bean to Cup-of-Coffee Complex: Students first thought the coffee supply chain was boring. The more they experienced Guatemala, the more they realized the story was far more complex.

Resource: Video

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Human Rights

Stanford's Guatemala Service Learning Trip, 2008-1

On a service learning trip to Guatemala, John Joseph, MBA '08, and classmates visited small producers right up to the Starbucks' organization, as well as NGOs like As Green As It Gets.

Resource: Video

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Environmental Sustainability Through Adaptation

[photo - Photo: Professor Matthew E. Kahn]

Increasing energy consumption poses a serious threat to environmental sustainability. In this university podcast, delivered at the Stanford Climate Policy Instruments in the Real World conference, UCLA professor Matt Kahn reflects on what heat waves and increased natural disaster risk may do to households, landowners, and the general economic climate.

Resource: Audio

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Social Enterprises, Environment

Bringing Fair Trade to Indigenous Farmers

In Chiapas, Mexico, twelve indigenous communities have joined forces to obtain fair trade prices for their coffee under the auspices of the micro-industry Bats'il Maya. In this audio interview, COO Alberto Irezabal speaks with host Ashkon Jafari about how the co-op works to empower coffee growers, and how it is expanding to include coffee stores in Mexico City, among other innovations.

Resource: Audio

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Social Innovations, Environment

The Peer Water Exchange: A Platform for Change

The Peer Water Exchange (PWX) demonstrates how new media and peer interaction can help solve the global water and sanitation crisis by empowering communities. A platform that relies on peer review and collaboration, the PWX has managed tens of thousands of grassroots water projects in over 23 countries. Stanford Center for Social Innovation correspondent Sheela Sethuraman talks with Rajesh Shah, 2010 Intel Environmental category Tech Award winner, who conceived this social innovation.

Resource: Audio

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Environmental Sustainability and Development

Environmental sustainability faces a huge challenge in the developing world, as population growth and energy demand continue to cause increases in greenhouse gas emissions. In this university podcast from the 2010 Climate Policy Instruments in the Real World conference, Stanford's Richard Morse discusses carbon offsets as a way to engage the developing world in climate change improvement.

Resource: Audio

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Environmental Sustainability in Electricity

The electricity industry poses both challenges and opportunities for environmental sustainability improvements. In this audio lecture, delivered at the 2010 Climate Policy Instruments in the Real World conference at Stanford University, Stanford Professor Frank Wolak considers how different utility rate structures might accelerate or delay the vision of an intelligent energy supply/demand nexus in the home.

Resource: Audio

Case Studies : All | Academic Cases

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Topics:

Environment, Human Rights

The World Trade Organization and the Seattle Talks

In 1999, the World Trade Organization talks in Seattle were sidelined by people protesting against the organization and issues of free trade. The case describes the nature of the protests, and the WTO’s dispute resolution process.

Resource: Academic Case

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Property Rights in New Zealand Abalone Fisheries

When abalone divers were given a property right in abalone fisheries, fishery owner Roger Beattie moved from the small time to become a successful entrepreneur. He began seeking out opportunities to improve his bottom line and the local environment.

Resource: Academic Case

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River Run Development Company

Peter O’Neill envisioned a 120-acre residential community alongside the Boise River. However, he needed to convince the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and several other agencies, that his idea would not harm the trout population.

Resource: Academic Case

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

Sheaffer International's BOOM Program

Jack Sheaffer had a unique wastewater treatment system that produced no organic sludge, no odor, and was cheaper than conventional systems. He wanted a business plan that would insulate him from marketplace shocks and found it with the BOOM program of build, own, operate, and maintain.

Resource: Academic Case

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U.S. Plastic Lumber

Mark Alsentzer, an investor in Earth Care, took over leadership of the business when it got into trouble in 1996. He focused on a two-pronged strategy to invest in research to speed up the manufacturing process to turn plastic into lumber, and to increase product recognition.

Resource: Academic Case

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International Paper's Wildlife and Recreation Program

International Paper has engaged in a plan to lease hunting and camping opportunities on its lands. It now must provide support for environmental management programs in the face of declining demand for hunting areas and increased demand for environmentally friendly forest products.

Resource: Academic Case

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Environment, Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing

Community Forestry Bonds

US Forest Capital has proposed the use of tax-exempt revenue bonds to help nonprofits manage forestland more sustainably. Now the organization must convince Congress to amend tax codes accordingly.

Resource: Academic Case

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Environment, Nonprofit Management

Marine Stewardship Council

The chairman of Marine Stewardship Council is charged with implementing an eco-labeling program for seafood products harvested in a sustainable manner. He wonders how the council could get customers to start shopping for labeled products, and how the MSC should approach industry to get seafood producers and retailers on board.

Resource: Academic Case

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Esquel Group: Transforming Into A Vertically Integrated, Service-Oriented, Leading Manufacturer Of Quality Cotton

Esquel Group, one of the world’s leading producers of premium cotton shirts, offered innovative products and services and was devoted to protecting the environment in areas in which it operated. The case describes the company’s culture and strategy.

Resource: Academic Case

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

Green River Environmental

David Dodson started the septic company Green River Environmental after mixed results in his previous entrepreneurial ventures. This case tracks three difficult mangerial situations Dodson faced during his tenure as CEO and chairman of the company.

Resource: Academic Case

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FedEx and Environmental Defense: Building a Hybrid Delivery Fleet

From specification to production: FedEx and Environmental Defense started a collaboration in 2000 to develop energy efficient delivery trucks. Eaton Corporation and Freightliner soon joined them to prototype the new vehicles.

Resource: Academic Case

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Economic Development, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

Waste Concern

Waste Concern in Bangladesh had earned an international reputation for its innovative approach to waste management in Dhaka. The organization needed to consider two opportunities to raise capital for expansion from large foreign firms.

Resource: Academic Case

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Economic Development, Environment, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing, Social Entrepreneurship

Acumen Fund and Mytry De-Fluoridation Filter Technologies

The chief investment officer of Acumen Fund, an international venture philanthropy fund, is reviewing the performance of a portfolio organization. Against the backdrop of Acumen’s own evolution, he is trying to determine how much additional support to provide an organization that has faced similar challenges.

Resource: Academic Case

Research Papers : All

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Business, Socially Responsible Business, Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment

Don't Tweak your Supply Chain - Rethink It End to End

The article examines environmental issues related to supply chains and supply chain management. Attempts to introduce sustainable practices into supply chains often meet with unexpected financial or environmental costs.

Resource: Research Paper

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Socially Responsible Business, Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment

Modern Management: Good for the Environment or Just Hot Air?

Establishments in better managed firms are significantly less energy intensive. Better managed firms are also significantly more productive. These results suggest that management practices that are associated with improved productivity are also linked to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Resource: Research Paper

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Environment, Government, Leadership

Would Boycotting BP Do Any Good?

[photo - gulf_oil_spill_source_la_times]

Consumer and environmental groups, angry over the spreading oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, are calling for a boycott of BP, the oil giant that owns the well gushing oil onto beaches and marshes. According to research by Phillip Leslie and Larry Chavis, boycotts do in fact work and they're something businesses should be concerned about.

Resource: Research Paper

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A Room with a Viewpoint

Managers and marketers can motivate consumers to participate in environmental conservation programs by telling them how the majority of other people behaved in the same situation. Researchers specifically studied how to ask hotel guests whether or not they wanted to reuse their towels during the course of a stay. The study highlights the benefits of employing social science research and theory—rather than business communicators’ hunches, lay theories, or best guesses—in crafting persuasive messages. Guests given a description : "the majority guests in this hotel asked to reuse their towels," were 9% more likely to make the same decision than guests who were simply asked to "help save the environment" with no information on comparative behavior. Guests were motivated even further when the description matched their social demographic even more closely. They were even more likely to reuse their towels when told the majority of people staying in their room in the past had done so.

Resource: Research Paper

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Slowing Introductions of New Electronic Products Reduces E-Waste

Some types of regulations governing disposal of electronic waste can reduce the world's mountains of devices waiting to be recycled, and also slow the rate of new product introductions says Stanford Graduate School of Business Professor Erica Plambeck.

Resource: Research Paper

Courses : All

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Environmental Science for Managers and Policy Makers - advanced: OIT 339

Designed for students with strong modeling/optimization/simulation skills, this course allocates more time to environmental and energy science and its implications for management and policy, and less time to the basics of modeling/optimization/simulation. Students apply spreadsheet modeling, optimization, and Monte Carlo simulation to resource management and environmental policy.

Resource: MBA Course

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Environmental Science for Managers and Policy Makers: OIT 338

This course explores the fundamental science of ecosystems, climate, and energy. Students learn to apply spreadsheet modeling, optimization, and Monte Carlo simulation to resource management and environmental policy.

Resource: MBA Course

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Initiating, Sustaining, and Monetizing Green Marketing: MKTG 551

This course addresses numerous questions about how to initiate and sustain green marketing. It also explores what technological and marketing innovations are likely to arise in the future.

Resource: MBA Course

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Business and Environmental Issues: GSBGEN 547

This speaker seminar examines the overlap and synergies between the business and environmental fields. Weekly speakers include leaders from both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

Resource: MBA Course

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Environmental Entrepreneurship: GSBGEN 339

Markets have tremendous potential for solving environmental problems. Through case analysis, guest speakers, and the creation of business plans in environmental entrepreneurship, students will learn to apply core business principles of finance, marketing, economics, operations, accounting, and more to the provision of environmental goods and services.

Resource: MBA Course

Innovators : All

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Economic Development, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

An interview with Sam Goldman (MBA '07)

Sam Goldman is bringing cutting-edge technologies to rural families all over the world. His passionate goal is to help them improve their standard of living.

Resource: Alumni

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Economic Development, Education, Environment, Government, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing, Social Entrepreneurship

An interview with Josh Becker (MBA ’99)

Josh Becker combines private, public, and government-sector solutions in addressing big social challenges. His focus is innovation.

Resource: Alumni

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Government, Social Entrepreneurship

An interview with Adam Stern (MBA '87)

Adam Stern's Web site lets people offset their own carbon emissions by supporting renewable energy projects. He's working to stop global warming.

Resource: Alumni

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Two Green Approaches

There are all manner of approaches to 'green investing,' and the folks at Carbon Lighthouse — recipients of an $80,000 Social Innovation Fellowship from the Center for Social Innovation at the Graduate School of Business — manage to combine two of them under the same roof.

Resource: News Article

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Wind Could Meet Many Times World's Total Power Demand by 2030, Stanford Researchers Say

Adapting a sophisticated climate model, researchers show that there is plenty of wind available to supply half to several times the world's total energy needs within the next two decades.

Resource: News Article

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Economic Development, Environment

Ocean health scores 60 out of 100, Stanford assessment finds

A new assessment of ocean health gives the world's oceans a score of 60 out of 100. Stanford's Larry Crowder, the science director of the Center for Ocean Solutions, explains why that isn't exactly a failing grade.

Resource: News Article

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Climate Change Could Open Trade Opportunities for Some Vulnerable Nations, Stanford Researchers Say

The study, the most long-range and detailed of its kind to date, forecasts the occurrence of severe dry years during the next nine decades in Tanzania and its key trading partners.

Resource: News Article

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