The supposition that human beings are “rational” actors who conduct a logical analysis of a situation, and make choices based on this analysis, is one of the fundamental underpinnings of economics. Yet, new research on the brain and human behavior is showing that this may not be true for most people. We now face a bewildering array of choices, experiencing information overload and a shortened decision making period. This new brain science has given rise to the popularization of an obscure branch of the “dismal science” (economics) called behavioral economics.

In the past week, Greenway has been engaged in work that reminds us of the power of nature to reclaim an area from human use.

This year’s Plan it Green Business Luncheon series, hosted by Executive Director and Greenway Principal Steve Salzman, culminated in a discussion about climate change adaptation statewide and around Humboldt Bay. The focus around Humboldt Bay is on the predicted rise of our oceans and what that change might mean to our vulnerable infrastructure (such as our wastewater treatment facilities and many stretches of our coastal roadway system, including Highway 101). While, as a society, we make fitful attempts to deal with the issues arising from climate change, the sea level rise is expected to impact coastal communities over the coming decades.

Ever sit through a decision-making process involving more than one person and find diverging interests or priorities? What to eat for dinner, how to implement an economic development strategy, or whether to create a bike lane or a multi-use path along a new corridor… Most decisions require some level of discussion, negotiation, or mediation in order to reach and successfully implement. Even authoritative decisions benefit from engaging stakeholders – educating end-users and developing buy-in for new directives can keep morale up and help to avoid costly enforcement measures.

“We all agree your theory is crazy, but is it crazy enough to have a chance of being correct?”–Niels Bohr, physicist, during a brainstorming session.

On November 5, 2011, Greenway principal David Narum facilitated a “Crazy Idea Day” workshop at the new Link Entrepreneurship Center. The workshop was attended by 45 people from ages 8 to 80. Attendees learned about ways to solve problems and develop innovative solutions by using “lateral thinking” and other nonlinear thinking methods (for good examples, see Jason Theodor’s site). The results of the day were very creative ideas for solving a range of local social and environmental problems, from vandalism to resource waste.

As a society, we have proven adept at vigorously using resources and then discarding them. Typically, we refer to cans, bottles, cardboard when we think of recycling. But what about land? There are literally hundreds of thousands of properties across the U.S. and hundreds in Humboldt County that were used intensively during industrial development phases and now sit vacant. These lands are potentially scarred with legacy industrial waste, filled with non-native plants, or exhibit poor water quality; they are ripe for abuse from trespassing, dumping and vandalism. These lands are often the center of social and behavioral issues that stem from drinking, drug abuse and illegal camping near or within our urban centers. One local example of this is Parcel 4, located behind the Bayshore Mall in Eureka.

The capacity of entrepreneurs to innovate new ways of doing business is a key factor in the economic and social health of a community, as a healthy innovation capacity allows communities to be more responsive and adapt better to ever-changing economic conditions. In dynamic economies, businesses must anticipate and adapt to change through innovation or risk being outcompeted. And all economies—from the relatively stable ones to those experiencing disruptive change—have opportunity spaces continually opening up or being created where entrepreneurs can grow their ideas.

A recession can change local economies just like a forest fire changes a forest ecosystem. In both cases, the change carries destruction and upheaval, but also creates opportunities for new, healthy growth in a cleared out but nutrient-rich seedbed.