In May 2023, I attended the Nordic Innovation Summit in Seattle with an open mind, eager to connect with like-minded individuals and immerse myself in discussions about innovation. What I didn't anticipate was that the event would offer a unique perspective on sustainability that would resonate with me on a deeper level.

 

The summit set out to explore the possibilities of building a sustainable world, featuring an array of startups and companies, each presenting innovative solutions contributing to sustainability in various ways. Interestingly, a recurring theme in these presentations was the acknowledgment that we now possess the technology to address the challenges they were tackling.

 

As I listened to the speakers, I contemplated the duality of sustainability – as both the most ambitious and complex innovation challenge we have ever faced, and the most significant set of opportunities ever presented to us. These two seemingly opposing perspectives coexist, depending on the mindset from which we view the situation.

 

While the summit primarily focused on the opportunities offered by sustainability, the challenge of implementing these solutions remained a persistent concern.

 

One concept that particularly resonated with me was "100% fish," emphasizing the absence of waste in nature. In nature, sustainability means that every component is part of a never-ending, value-adding chain, where each part holds value. The Icelandic presentation highlighted the importance of our mindset in approaching sustainability. We have the choice to either continue operating unsustainably or to view everything as a valuable, interconnected chain to be shared and explored. The sections on symbiosis and "100% fish" demonstrated the vast opportunities sustainability can offer.

 

Sustainability is a global challenge that requires local implementation. The concept of "100% fish" and symbiosis offer a framework for harnessing the potential of sustainability at a local level. However, it became apparent that we lack a global structure capable of achieving the same on a worldwide scale. I recognize and appreciate that events like this summit, with the connection between the Nordic and the US, contributes to address this challenge.

 

Over the past eight years, I have explored ways to overcome the resistance to change encountered when implementing innovative ideas and concepts. This journey led me to understand that establishing a transcendent state of mind and mindset empowers us to overcome the limitations of our existing perspectives, unveiling the opportunities concealed within every challenge. Furthermore, it equips us with the necessary framework to overcome resistance during implementation.

 

As the day unfolded, a statement resonating within me: "Sustainability – Powered by transcendence." I realized that transcendence could serve as a crucial tool in making sustainability the primary means of identifying and implementing new opportunities.

 

I am grateful to the National Nordic Museum for organizing the Nordic Innovation Summit, which allowed me to witness firsthand how transcendence can act as a driving force behind sustainability.