Take one small step

Sustainability

We’ve been recently reminded of Neil Armstrong’s proclamation “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” as he became the first person to walk on the moon. In later interviews, however, Armstrong said his statement was actually “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind”, intending to highlight the contrast between the single individual and the entirety of humankind.

Armstrong used that moment to remind all of us that one person can change the path of humanity with one small step.  

If you’re reading this, I’m guessing that you’ve dreamed of changing the path of humanity towards sustainability, helping us all live fully aligned with and alive in nature. But that’s a daunting task — what difference could one small step possibly make? And what might that step be?

The Chinese proverb, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”, suggests that this one small step can be just the first step in a much longer journey — but you’ve got to take that first small step to get started.

You probably take many small steps in your personal life everyday — recycling, driving less, eating local, etc. — all of which are important contributions to sustainability, yet these aren’t the steps that are going to change the path of humanity. But you’re busy! Maybe you have a full time job, maybe you have kids, maybe you’re not in a position to radically disrupt your life in order to change the path of humanity.

MCAD’s fully online Master of Arts in Sustainable Design program was created for busy working professionals who are passionate about sustainability. The program engages a global community of students and world-class instructors working together to push the sustainability envelope forward across a variety of disciplines and industries. It’s ideal for people who are seeking a deep understanding of the cutting-edge theories, practical applications, and leadership strategies of sustainable design in order to change the path of humanity.

And you can start with just one course — you can take one small step.


[image courtesy of NASA]


If you’re ready to take that first small step, we’re offering Systems Thinking and Biomimetic Design in Fall 2019. Not sure if this is the right step or the right journey for you?  Please feel free to email so we can talk about how you might change the path of humanity.

Denise DeLuca / Former Director

Denise DeLuca is the Director of MCAD’s Sustainable Design program. She was co-founder of BCI: Biomimicry Creative for Innovation, a network of creative professional change agents driving ecological thinking for radical transformation. Denise is author of the book Re-Aligning with Nature: Ecological Thinking for Radical Transformation, which was illustrated by MASD alum Stephanie Koehler. She also teaches with the Amani Institute.

Denise’s previous roles include Education Director for the International Living Future Institute, Project Manager for Swedish Biomimetics 3000, and Outreach Director for The Biomimicry Institute. Denise is a licensed civil engineer (PE) and holds a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering with a focus on modeling landscape-scale surface and groundwater interactions.  In addition, Denise is a Biomimicry Fellow and a member of the Advisory Council of The Biomimicry InstituteBoard Member of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP), on the editorial board of the Journal of Bionic Engineering, and an Expert with Katerva. Denise is based in Oregon.

contact:  [email protected]