Eco/Eco: The Ecology of an Economy

Hi Everyone:

In my world, I'm working to merge our environmental and economic well being. For months I've been exploring what I call "ECO-ECO" -- the Ecology of an Economy.

I love this concept for all kinds of reasons. Taking an ecological focus brings a whole inter-connectivity to economic development.

As Howard Odum* taught us; systems ecology begins with the concept of wholeness. The health and vibrancy of everything is interdependent. So
validating and connecting each individual economic sector will
strengthen our entire economic eco-system. Simple in concept, yet
profound in application! I invite you to consider this concept and your
essential part/roles in it.

"ECO-ECO" begins with the working premise: Everything we need to succeed is already present in our own "economic backyard."

Our leading economic assets are our place and the amazing talent residing here. We really do have all of the elements to fully become one of the
most exciting hot spots in the nation and in the world. Experts and
media polls affirm this observation. Personally, I love the Richard Florida prediction
that Gainesville is on track to become a creative economic force,
offering high paying jobs and a leading creative environment to attract
and produce cultural and tech businesses.

This is nothing new coming from Richard Florida, who made his first predictions about Gainesville as a creative economic hub in 2002 with the
publication of "The Rise of the Creative Class" and again in 2004 when
he came here. During that visit, he sought out Florida's Eden and
formally endorsed our Florida's Eden Comprehensive Plan, predicting that
it would become a global model. It seems our plan is unique in its
ability to avoid all of the common pitfalls ailing even the biggest
creative economic efforts. Why??

I can now tell you why. Because our Florida's Eden Comprehensive Plan takes an ecological approach to economic development. In our view everyone has an equally
important role, everything is interconnected and everyone is validated
for what they do best. This economic ecosystem functions without
pitfalls because it operates w-holistically.

I intend to make this an introduction for a series of short pieces outlining HOW our creative economic ecosystem works and how we can champion all 12
creative economic sectors and function together like a well-oiled
economic engine, or as a healthy economic ecosystem! ECO-ECO! I love it.

Annie Pais

_________

*Howard Odum carried out the first complete study of an eco-system at Silver Springs, Florida, and founded the discipline of systems ecology. 
Florida's Eden recently named the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute in
honor of this pioneer.  The new institute will serve as a public
resource to monitor springs health, coordinate efforts and disseminate
information.

According to Richard Florida, Gainesville is on track to have the largest increase among all US cities in well-paying creative and knowledge-based jobs, with a
projected 17.7 percent increase.