April 2000

Rocky Mountain Institute: A Leader Among Think Tanks

by Ana Arias Terry

The thought of working for a think tank sounds magnificently enticing. If my brain cells had a common neck, and if tiny follicles of hair toward the back covered it, they’d be shouting up a storm. If the particular think tank were the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), I’d be even more thrilled.

Why? Because to work with an innovative organization whose raison d’être is to help others and itself continuously in the pursuit of improved, efficient, and sustainable resource use is simply the cat’s most excellent meow. The premises aren’t too bad either. The main building was designed as an example of renewable energy and efficiency meant to balance the structure with the occupants. They even house a sort of biosphere that supports crops and fish year-round.

Based in Snowmass, Colorado, RMI was established in the early 1980s by Amory and Hunter Lovins, a couple of go-getters with ties to both the economic and environmental worlds. As co-CEOs, they lead a pack of about forty-five staff members who spend their time — are you ready for this? — thinking, researching, consulting, speaking, and writing reports. The institute specializes in the areas of energy, green development, transportation issues (as instigators and promoters of Hypercars), water, economic renewal, corporate sustainability, forests, and climate change.

Rather than being slowed by the challenges of what may appear to most as unrelated ideas, RMI specifically looks for the common ground and connections that are often overlooked. They espouse and promote a reacquaintance with nature to try to solve problems and develop innovation. Together with Paul Hawken, the Lovins have pioneered natural capitalism as an environmentally benign business model. They claim this model not only will increase business profits but will do a better job of safeguarding what limited resources we have. It will ensure that we migrate to sustainable practices.

If you’d rather not wait until your next trip to Colorado, you can do the next best thing: take a virtual tour. For $5, you can take the tour at www.rmi.org. Select the "About RMI" page, and then click on "Visitors’ Guide." The web site also offers plenty of information for businesses, governments, consumers, and students. The coverage ranges from home-efficiency information and resources to additional information on sustainable communities, education for K-12 curricula, jobs, publications, and related organizations.

The Rocky Mountain Institute also publishes a newsletter and offers more information and links to their Natural Capitalism book that has won great acclaim from many economists, businesses, government officials (including President Clinton), and laypeople around the globe.

Let’s recap. Brain aerobics, sustainability focus, a chance to be with and participate in interesting and practical environmental research and solutions, and a dynamic working environment. What does it spell? Think tank leader.

For more information, visit the RMI web site or write to RMI, 1739 Snowmass Creek Road, Snowmass, CO 81654. 970-927-3851; Fax: 970-927-4510.

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