Nature

Imagine reading the story of a man who flipped conventional business wisdom on its head to make environmental responsibility and adventure the cornerstones of a global brand. That's exactly what you'll find in Yvon Chouinard's book. It's not just about business; it's about a life lived with integrity and the belief that doing good should be part of our daily work. If you're fascinated by the intersection of entrepreneurship, the great outdoors, and sustainable practices, this memoir will resonate with you.

This book, "Minding Your Business - Profits That Restore The Planet," is a thought-provoking guide for anyone interested in the intersection of business and environmental sustainability. Horst M. Rechelbacher, the founder of Aveda and Intelligent Nutrients, shares his personal journey as an eco-preneur and provides compelling arguments for why practicing environmentally sound business is not only ethical but also profitable. Rechelbacher's emphasis on sustainable agriculture and indigenous products, as well as his commitment to phasing out toxic ingredients in cosmetics, make this book a valuable resource for anyone looking to make a positive impact through their business endeavors. It's a wake-up call for mindful entrepreneurs who believe in the power of enlightened capitalism to create a healthier and more abundant future for all.

Cities around the world are becoming increasingly popular as economic powerhouses and magnets for migrants from rural and suburban areas. All big cities in First and Third World countries as well as emerging markets such as New York, London, Tokyo, Paris, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Delhi, Jakarta etc. have to cope with high population density and serious challenges such as air pollution or traffic congestion. How do we pack more people into big cities and yet continue to realise a high quality of life? How do we plan, create and manage 'good cities' which are safe, spacious, green, connected, fair and resilient? How can cities create economic wealth while still fulfilling the vision of sustaining our "Green Planet"? What are best practice designs and innovative technical smart city solutions which could be leveraged to tackle these challenges and how can they be successfully commercialised? These are some of the questions the reader addresses from a multi-disciplinary perspective with special reference to Singapore whose development from regional entrepôt to First World Metropolis continues to impress business and societal leaders around the world. The book's contents are broadly structured according to the following (i) definition and taxonomy of innovative & sustainable cities, including its core characteristics and how they create value in terms of innovativeness and sustainability; (ii) governance, planning and selected design principles of innovative & sustainable cities and how they pan out with regard to livability and sustainability; and (iii) in-depth study of selected smart city dimensions such as governance, clustering, connectivity, mobility, ageing, water, sports, and safety.