DeepSummary
In this episode, Katie Welland interviews sustainability strategist and designer Leyla Acaroglu about her work in promoting circular economy and systems thinking through design. Leyla discusses her background in sustainable design, eco-design, and lifecycle assessment, and her efforts to make sustainability more accessible, desirable, and relevant through creative approaches.
Leyla talks about her various initiatives, including the Co-Project farm in Portugal, which focuses on sustainable living practices and regenerative agriculture through workshops and immersive experiences. She also mentions her work with the UN School, which teaches systems thinking and circular design to professionals and entrepreneurs, and her involvement in developing educational resources on circular economy for Finland and Southeast Asia.
Throughout the conversation, Leyla emphasizes the importance of addressing the complexity and technical aspects of circular economy, while also promoting a fundamental shift in how people perceive their relationship with nature and the planet's life support systems. She stresses the need for practical solutions, experimentation, and a willingness to embrace ambiguity in order to drive meaningful change.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Leyla Acaroglu promotes circular economy and systems thinking through various initiatives, including the Co-Project farm, UN School, and educational resources.
- Her work emphasizes making sustainability more accessible, desirable, and relevant through creative approaches and hands-on experiences.
- Addressing the complexity and technical aspects of circular economy is crucial, while also promoting a fundamental shift in how people perceive their relationship with nature.
- Practical solutions, experimentation, and embracing ambiguity are essential for driving meaningful change towards a more sustainable and regenerative future.
- Change starts with individual action and responsibility, and can then multiply outward to inspire broader societal transformation.
- Circular economy is one element of a broader transition required for humanity to progress and achieve success while respecting the planet's life support systems.
- Leyla's initiatives engage with various stakeholders, including businesses, governments, educators, and individuals, to promote circular thinking and sustainable practices.
- Education and capacity-building play a vital role in Leyla's work, helping individuals and organizations develop the skills and knowledge needed for positive change.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Obviously, we want to reduce people's traveling, so we try to encourage them to go slow and to enjoy the experience and contribute to the local economy as much as possible.“ by Layla Ajarlu
- “So, you know, change starts with us and then it multiplies out.“ by Layla Ajarlu
- “We need to fundamentally and dramatically change the way we perceive what it means to be a human alive on the planet today, with all of the incredible knowledge and capacity that we've made happen. And the circular economy is one element of the transition that needs to occur if humanity is going to be progressive and successful into the future.“ by Layla Ajarlu
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Episode Information
Getting In the Loop: Circular Economy | Sustainability | Closing the Loop
Katherine Whalen
6/17/19