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Winning from Adversity
By: Timothy Boe, NCARB, AIA
www.eco-tects.com

When the final decision was rendered by the Supreme Court, declaring George W. Bush the winner of the 2000 presidential election, Al Gore must have been mortified. Criticized for not running a very effective campaign, he quickly dropped from public sight. Many of the pundits declared that Gore’s political career was over. Al Gore may have been the first one to agree.

In his film “An Inconvenient Truth” there were scenes of Gore walking anonymously through airports, garment bag in tow. Logic would dictate that he was probably approached by many autograph seekers, but the artistic license taken in the film really conveyed the sense of isolation he must have felt at the time. Who knew that his “little” documentary film project would net him an Oscar, the Nobel Peace Prize and international acclaim! George Bush in the meantime, was still mopping up after 9/11 and entering deeper into the most unpopular war since Viet Nam.

Eight years as Vice President and Al Gore accomplished more in terms of advancing an environmental agenda with a book and movie than he ever did as a politician. Today, while Bush’s popularity wanes, Al Gore is one of the most acknowledged individuals in the world. So much, for losing the election! The morale of this story however, is not to bury Bush, or praise Gore – it’s to show a powerful example of Winning from Adversity.

It’s fair to say that most everyone loves to win, but nobody wants to be considered a loser.  Today, with the global financial crisis in full swing, many are being labeled the latter. Analysts are quick to point to housing, banks, auto makers and the stock market as the culprits leading to this bad economy. Unfortunately the blame for extravagances of the top few on Wall Street, the financial sector and upper echelon of Detroit, are being passed on to the average wage earners toiling in these industries.

Can someone be blamed for taking advantage of loopholes to qualify to buy a home? Was it wrong for mortgage brokers to try and figure out ways to help their borrowers qualify? If a stock broker strived to produce earnings in the portfolios entrusted to their care, should they be called “greedy?” If the focus groups said that people would buy a certain kind of car, could the automakers be blamed for producing it? If people were clamoring for credit products, shouldn’t the banks have offered it?

Is the lesson to be learned, that all the above were wrong? If that is to be the consensus, then what will the future bring? Less people able to buy homes – corporations abandoning the quest for profits – the end of American cars – people buying everything with cash? These things are probably not going to happen. What is likely is that our society is going to find different ways to strike a balance, while addressing the problems with our ailing industries.

Today, with stunning abruptness the economy turned and so many people are now finding themselves drinking from the same bitter well. Fear and subsequent economic calamity has swept through all occupations and social stratums. An historic election was won on the hope for change. Even the new President however, has not minced words when describing the steep road that lies ahead. The future does provide hope – but that hope will be closely tied to change.

Eco-Times Magazine is a publication dedicated to celebrating the possibilities of a sustainable future. Our focus is on expanding public perception beyond the borders of the past, to envision a more expansive approach to living that is more inclusive of global stewardship. That such a mission is actually about recognizing more, rather than the commonly mistaken notion that we are seeing less, is an awareness that we wish to share.

Many people are feeling defeated after recently losing jobs and seeing their businesses shrink. It’s natural to fixate on the loss aspect, rather then look for opportunity in change. As we meander through airports, garment bag in tow, many have a shared sense of isolation, not unlike someone who had made a blockbuster, but did not yet know it.

All great achievers have had their times when their goal seemed like an impossible dream. Somehow though, they persevered – finished the book – movie – design for a new invention – unconventional building. The found a way to keep it together, while anticipating the change in the tides. With all the new ways of doing things, as mandated by our culture, the challenges will be many, but so too will the rewards. That declaration is easy to make when things are “good,” but far more valuable when things are not.

The new economy is opening up avenues of opportunity that did not exist even as few as 12 months ago. The old saying has it that some of the biggest fortunes are amassed during the hardest of times. Considering that so little progress has been made in the past in the area of sustainable products and practices, the field is wide open. The potential for the next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs to crop up is more likely than not.

There is much to be done – change beckons. Every inch gained today, will equal a foot tomorrow. 

Timothy Boe is an architect and founder of BOE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL. With almost forty years of experience in the design and building industry, Mr. Boe brings a vast knowledge of numerous building types, as well as a considerable body of experience in urban design and planned communities. During his long career, Mr. Boe has been involved in numerous environmentally related projects, including several that have been bestowed awards for thoughtful re-use of "brownfield" properties, innovative planning solutions and adaptive re-use of properties involving lead base paint, asbestos abatement, site clean-up, wetlands enhancements and the creation of wildlife sanctuaries for threatened species. Mr. Boe has also served continuously since 1989 on the Board of Directors for Windwalker International... a sustainable alternative energy company.