Elin Bergman
on Circular Ecosystems
“It’s too late to be a pessimist! You might as well help out to solve the mess we are in. It will also make your life more fulfilling since you are working with something that gives you purpose and meaning.”
That’s what the “Circular Economy Queen of Sweden” believes in.
Elin Bergman also believes that the most important women can do to show leadership in today's society is to give people hope and a positive vision of the future because right now there is a huge lack of hope in all aspects of society. This is why she is constantly spreading her vision of a future where we all lead great and exciting equitable lives in circular ecosystems and in harmony with nature.
Al Gore’s movie, An Inconvenient Truth, inspired her to switch from working in the film industry at Twentieth Century Fox to the sustainability sector instead. Today, her mission is accelerating the transition to a circular economy in Sweden and the Nordics.
She is now one of the co-founders of the Nordic Circular Hotspot, a collaboration platform for accelerating circular economy in the region, and also the COO and spokesperson of the Swedish circular economy network Cradlenet.
Her guiding light for young people is… following what annoys you - and fighting for solving it: “if there is a certain topic regarding unsustainable business like pollution, destruction of rainforests or similar that really pisses you off, then that is the sector you should seek a job in! The passion for a topic or issue will make you the perfect candidate!” Because “holistic, inclusive, strategic, caring, generous, innovative and courageous leadership” is what we should strive for as a civilization.
In her free time, Elin loves sailing. She has a great love for nature, especially the ocean. This love made her sail from Sweden to the Caribbean and back with her family for a year on their 45 feet sailing yacht, The Adventure.
Sail the waves of circularity and read Elin Bergman’s inspiring answers in this new edition of #inspirators!
Thank you, Elin, for being a Circular Economy Queen!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Elin Bergman
Company / Institution: Cradlenet / Nordic Circular Hotspot
Title: COO & Chair of Cradlenet, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Nordic Circular Hotspot
Website: www.cradlenet.se https://nordiccircularhotspot.org/
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elinbergman/
Country of origin: Sweden
Country you currently live in: Sweden
Your personal definition of Sustainability: Sustainability is when people are living in harmony with nature. Right now, we are acting like we are at war with nature and that we are the masters of it, instead of realizing we are all a part of nature and we are completely dependent on it.
Main business challenge you face: Businesses are lacking a lot of fundamental knowledge about sustainability and especially on how to on how act to become sustainable businesses.
Main driver that keeps you going: I’m on the right side of history, fighting the good fight. Also, it is way too late to be a pessimist!
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: I don’t give up, I live as I learn, and collaborate with everyone I can.
The trait you most value in others: Generosity and willingness to collaborate.
Passions & little things that bring you joy: I have a great love for nature, especially the ocean. I’m also a sailor who has sailed from Sweden to the Caribbean and back.
The #inspirators who determined you to take the sustainability path: Al Gore inspired me with the movie An Inconvenient Truth. I was working in the film industry at Twentieth Century Fox when it came out and it made me switch careers and start working in the sustainability sector instead.
A hint or starting point for companies or professionals that are taking the first steps in the sustainability journey: If there is a certain topic regarding unsustainable business like pollution, destruction of rainforests or similar that really pisses you off, then that is the sector you should seek a job in. Passion for a topic or issue will make you the perfect candidate!
Most used and abused clichés in sustainability that bother you:
“Let’s all buy electric cars – that will solve the climate crisis!”
We cannot consume ourselves out of a crisis that is mostly made because of consumption!
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope: It’s too late to be a pessimist, so you might as well help out to solve the mess we are in. It will also make your life more for fulfilling, since you are working with something that gives you purpose and meaning.
Books that had a major impact on you: Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by William McDonough, Michael Braungart.
Must-reads for any Sustainability professional: Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by William McDonough, Michael Braungart.
Movies / Documentaries you would watch all over again: HOME, full documentary is available on Youtube!
Blogs / Websites / Podcasts etc. you visit frequently:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/environment
https://www.reddit.com/r/Futurology/
Music that makes you (and your heart) sing: Xavier Rudd - Follow The Sun is a favourite song of mine. I love sunrises and sunsets and am a total sun chaser, so I can really relate to this song.
Places you travelled to that left a mark on you: My sailing year to the Caribbean was a once in a lifetime experience that left a big mark on me. New Zealand is also a stunning and beautiful place.
Global Sustainability Voices you recommend us to follow:
Ellen MacArthur and Kate Raworth are two circularity stars you need to listen to.
Trends in Sustainability we should keep an eye on:
Circular Economy, of course! I have been working in this sector for almost 10 years now and it is finally booming! The interest is bigger than ever and one major driver is new reporting regulations coming out of the EU saying that next year companies need to report on climate change, pollution, water and marine resources, biodiversity, resources and circular economy. This will be a game-changer for businesses!
Best places for business networking (online or offline): I would, of course, have to say Cradlenet if you are located in Sweden, and Nordic Circular Hotspot if you have more of a Nordic focus.
Events we should attend:
Nordic Sustainability Expo in Stockholm,
World Circular Economy Forum
Nordic Circular Summit
Associations, business clubs, tribes you belong to – and why:
I’m part of the LinkedIn Top Voices Green group, as one of the top 14 experts to follow to stay up to date on the news and analysis around sustainability and environmental topics.
Sustainable Development courses / trainings / certifications that really teach us how to have an impact: Al Gore’s Climate Reality training seems to be very good.
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030:
We have all the knowledge we need to make the future fantastic and sustainable. The ongoing shift to renewable energy sources and electric cars, together with the raising interest of circular economy, is very positive. We just need to make it happen!
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030:
Insanities like the current war Russia have started with Ukraine, the threat to democracy and the spreading science skepticism threatens the fantastic sustainable future to happen.
Regenerative Leadership qualities much needed today:
Holistic, inclusive, strategic, caring, generous, innovative and courageous leadership is what we should strive for as a civilization.
Quote that inspires you:
"It’s too late to be a pessimist!"
(As you might have noticed, it’s from the film HOME)
"The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”
(Robert Swan)
Your own quote that will inspire us:
