Sustainable Today explores Dignity Village in Portland, Oregon, a unique co-housing venture for the homeless. Chairman Dave Samson and reporter Nicole Lasage demonstrate how 60 residents live together with minimal environmental impact.

This initiative highlights solutions for homelessness, co-housing, sustainability, housing, and habitat.

Sustainable Today visited Oregon State University's Wallace Energy Systems and Renewables Facility (WESRF). Lab head Annette Von Jouanne showcased the Wave Energy Linear Test Bed and a wave energy device developed with Columbia Power Technologies. This facility is a hub for renewable energy, wave power, and sustainability research.

Explore more on sustainable topics, including renewable energy and wave power, by searching online: sustainable energy.

For residents of Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, garbage goes to the Columbia Ridge Landfill in Arlington, Oregon. Sustainable Today visited this mammoth site to understand its operations and how to limit the amount of waste buried there.

They also saw a new power plant under construction, which will generate electricity from methane gas captured at the site. Explore related topics like garbage, landfills, methane, power, and sustainability here: Garbage, Landfill, methane, power, sustainability, environment.

The Ocean Conservancy underscores the ocean's fundamental role in planetary health. It sustains us daily with food, water, and air, connecting all living things. Recognizing this vital link, the organization advocates that true environmentalism—"going green"—begins with "living blue."

It's time to initiate a significant "sea change" in our approach to global well-being.

Mike and JoAnna Bresnan of Costa Rica's Children Feeding Children program discuss global change and transformation. While attending the 2010 Bioneers Conference (October 15-17, 2010, San Rafael, California), they conducted interviews with Annie Leonard and David Orr.

This segment was filmed by Barry Heidt of GeoSpirit.tv and edited by Rob Russo.

Rafael Gallo's presentation, "Environmental Sustainability and Saving Resources," was filmed by Barry Heidt of sustainabletv (editing by Tom Hopkins of Sustainable Today) at TIES' 2010 ESTC event in Portland, Oregon.

A passionate whitewater paddler, Gallo founded a leading rafting company in Costa Rica. He has introduced thousands to the sport, successfully fought to save the Pacuare River from dam threats, and protects 2000 acres of rainforest. His eco-lodge has also planted nearly 14,000 native trees as part of the UN's "Plant for the Planet" campaign. For more on community development, visit Eltigredepacuare.com.

Hunter McIntosh, VP of the Alaskan-based The Boat Company, is a second-generation conservationist. After working on Capitol Hill, he joined the family business, now focusing on advancing ecotourism. The Boat Company, in business for 30 years, emphasizes collaboration and a unified political voice for the industry.

Hunter was videotaped by Barry Heidt of Sustainable TV, with editing support from Tom Hopkins of Sustainable Today. This occurred at The International Ecotourism Society's (TIES) 2010 ESTC event in Portland, Oregon, from September 8-10, 2010.

Jeff Greenwald is a bestselling travel and science writer, with five books and hundreds of features to his credit. He serves as executive director of Ethical Traveler, a non-profit dedicated to empowering travelers to change the world.

Jeff was filmed by Barry Heidt of Sustainable TV at the 2010 Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference, organized by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES).

Editing was provided by Tom Hopkins of Sustainable Today.

Barry Stevens and Nanci Wright co-founded El Puente - The Bridge in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. This program offers educational assistance, food, and microloans, primarily to indigenous communities.

El Puente's School Program supports children's educational expenses. The Food Program provides healthy meals and a gathering place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Their Microloan Program offers small loans, from $20 to $400, using proven methods that have combated poverty globally since 1987.

Your support is vital. Please consider donating to help their mission: Give a little or a lot.

A Costa Rican environmental specialist proposes an initiative to rebuild trust and foster cooperation by redesigning cities. Following the Copenhagen experience, new alliances are crucial for the benefit of people and the planet.

The project suggests collaboration among countries with populations around four million, specifically Costa Rica, Norway, Singapore, New Zealand, and Lebanon.

David W. Orr is the Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics and Special Assistant to the President at Oberlin College. He also holds a James Marsh Professorship at the University of Vermont.

Orr is the author of *The Nature of Design* (Oxford, 2002) and *Design on the Edge* (MIT, 2006).

His recent work includes a two-year, $2 million project to define a 100-day climate action plan for the Obama administration. Learn more at www.climateactionproject.com.

Actor Adrian Grenier recently swam alongside bluefin tuna, highlighting their incredible speed as one of the ocean's fastest fish. These highly sought-after sushi fish are a vital part of marine ecosystems.

However, bluefin tuna populations are rapidly declining. Without urgent conservation efforts, these magnificent creatures, which zipped past Grenier, face the risk of disappearing forever. Protecting them is crucial.

Larry O'Connor, a La Trobe University accounting lecturer, concluded that accounting is not fostering a sustainable economy. He argues that free market ideology, misrepresented as "reform," actually deforms the system by prioritizing economic value, even transforming universities into profit centers. Thus, accounting reinforces the status quo rather than promoting sustainability.

This video was produced by Ruth Ann Barrett of EarthSayers.tv in June 2010, as part of Portland State University's Social Sustainability Network.

On January 28, 2010, the World Economic Forum (weforum.org) addressed increasing energy security concerns. Despite a significant decline in energy prices from their 2008 peak, major producing and consuming economies diverge on developing a more secure and stable energy system.

A central question was: How can producers and consumers develop mutually beneficial approaches to energy security?

Key participants included Ilham Aliyev (President of Azerbaijan), Thierry Desmarest (Chairman, Total), Khalid A. Al Falih (President & CEO, Saudi Aramco), Tony Hayward (Group Chief Executive, BP), Andrew N. Liveris (Chairman & CEO, Dow Chemical Company), and Peter Voser (Chief Executive Officer, Royal Dutch Shell).

Current work culture, driven by the "more, bigger, faster" ethic, causes widespread burnout and disengagement, undermining energy, focus, creativity, and passion. "The Way We're Working Isn't Working" offers a groundbreaking approach to reenergize lives, enhancing satisfaction and productivity on and off the job.

Tony Schwartz, co-author of the #1 bestselling *The Power of Full Engagement*, integrates high-performance science to show we neglect four core needs: physical (sustainability), emotional (security), mental (self-expression), and spiritual (significance). He argues optimal performance comes from rhythmically renewing energy across these needs, not continuous high-speed work.

Clem Ogilby, a career preservationist, discusses his passion for saving buildings. He helps clients repurpose residential and commercial structures using green principles while maintaining a traditional or historic aesthetic. Ogilby argues that demolition is often unnecessary and not a sustainable practice. His current project involves saving the 1880 Morris Marks House, which faces demolition if not moved and restored.

This video, produced by Ruth Ann Barrett of EarthSayers.tv, emphasizes that sustainability must include the preservation of existing, useful, and historic buildings. The content was originally posted by EarthSayer on June 30, 2010.

On December 3, 2007, the ICCFoundation highlighted efforts in biodiversity conservation. This work focuses on overcoming political opposition to ensure wilderness freedom.

The Patagonia Land Trust, also known as Conservacion Patagonica, has been instrumental in these efforts. This organization, dedicated to preserving critical lands in southern Chile and Argentina, established two national parks under the stewardship of Kris and Doug Tompkins.

On November 21, 2007, Gala Co-chairs Hank and Wendy Paulson presented ICCF's "The Good Steward" Award to Kris and Doug Tompkins.

The Tompkins were honored for their significant personal investment in rehabilitating and conserving over two million acres of land in the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina.

For more details, visit the ICCFoundation YouTube channel.

Gala Co-chairs Hank and Wendy Paulson presented the International Conservation Caucus Foundation's (ICCF) "The Good Steward" Award to Kris and Doug Tompkins.

The Tompkins were honored for their significant personal investment in rehabilitating and conserving over two million acres of land across the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina.

Millionaire Doug Tompkins, founder of Esprit, purchased a vast rainforest in Southern Chile to create Pumalin Park, a significant biodiversity reserve. However, his philanthropy faces suspicion from many Chileans.

Critics, including conservative politician Jaime Orpis, view Tompkins' 100km reserve as a national security threat, linking the Argentine border to central Chile. His anti-development stance also irritates a nation seeking economic growth. Despite calls for him to leave, Tompkins remains committed to protecting the park until the Chilean government assumes its preservation.

This report was produced by ABC Australia and distributed by Journeyman Pictures.