BY CHRISTINA LUND

“…the social and environmental challenges that create the context in which we live are global, yet most of the work necessary to deal with these challenged must be done locally.”

After retiring from his career as a senior partner with the consulting practice Deloitte & Touche in 2003, Ron Hubert, MBA, MS, recognized that the importance of sustainability was growing.  Hubert decided to continue his education later in life, and enrolled in a one-year graduate program at Northern Arizona University (NAU).  After a year in the Conservation Ecology program, he completed his Masters of Science degree in Environmental Science and Policy.  It was after he had returned to school that he realized there was an opportunity for him to work locally with a group of leaders on sustainable economic development.

In 2006, Hubert was part of group that founded the Sustainable Economic Development Initiative (SEDI), which aims to improve sustainable economic development primarily in Arizona.  SEDI increases social equity, ecological health and economic prosperity through education and projects for regional districts.  Supported by a 47-member board of directors and roughly 250 volunteers, SEDI currently oversees and collaborates on eight different local projects that help instill sustainability.  These projects range from working with community agencies to reduce energy demand and increase energy efficiency, to educating students in the K-12 curriculum about sustainability, to creating a support system for new and existing local businesses called Sustainable and Entrepreneurial Economic Development System (SEEDS).

As President and Board Chairman, Hubert continues to incorporate sustainability through the SEEDS initiative.  “The most important word in this project’s name is the last – system…the most effective way of creating new jobs and economic development through sustainable, entrepreneurial activities requires a holistic approach,” Hubert said.  Through financing, education, workforce training, demand creation recognition, government and non-profit support, external support networks and marketing support, SEEDS creates a complete system of support businesses.

Why should we focus on sustainability?

In the simplest form, both exponential economic and population growth are behind most of the social and environmental challenges we face today.  These challenges include climate change, and declining resources, such as water, food, biodiversity and cheap energy. “I think we would be much better off if we take responsibility for this transition through sustainability programs,” Hubert said.  “Either we learn how to work together to bring our resource use into alignment with the Earth’s carrying capacity, or Mother Nature will do it for us.”  Through healthcare, democratic institutions and strong education, SEDI believes these three things are required for the critical path corrections we need to take.

SEDI success
Since the inception of SEDI, the organization has realized many accomplishments.  The Walton Family Foundation gave SEDI a $167,000 grant to help Verde Valley resorts, restaurants and hotels protect the Verde River and increase business eco-tourism.  SEDI’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy project partnered with other Flagstaff organizations to help generate over $1 million in demand for energy-efficient upgrades.  This demand also prompted the Arizona Corporation Commission to help create green jobs and increase requirements for revolving loan fund financing.  Also through this project, SEDI helped obtain a $171,000 Living Cities grant, to support northern Arizona in its energy efficiency programs.
Through its Sustainable Community Indicator Project, which defines local measures of economic development, ecological health and the community’s well-being, SEDI received a $24,000 grant to help support the growth of local sustainable and economic development indicators.  Each year, SEDI gives a total of four $500 cash awards to Coconino County and Verde Valley teachers for teaching sustainability in their classrooms.
“Everything you can do that really contributes to the sustainability of your community will make a difference,” Hubert said.  The ideas of sustainability are just reaching an important mass.  Hubert uses the butterfly effect in the chaos theory to explain how a small change can trigger a massive change.  Talking to friends, reading books and attending lectures will help you learn more.