This website is a blend of corporate information, political statements and individual stories. We use it during the development of the PLANTAGON project. We will also use authentic material as we think it shows in a good way what we are doing.
Most of us would agree that mankind is not taking care of Earth and ourselves in the best way we could. Social, environmental and political development are all heading in directions no-one can fail to see, and no-one could wish for.
Economics has played a major role in creating this situation, and will continue to determine future directions. Political power is fighting to regain influence, but we already know the economy, or at least the major part of it, is driven by corporations. Today, many of the world’s largest economies are corporations, not nation states. This situation confers enormous responsibility on the owners, their boards and their managers, a responsibility that comes with being the dominant institution on the planet.
In this world of ours, greed, short-term strategies and fear are strongly supported by the system, the voluntary rules we play by. As an example one can reflect upon the fact that among the very largest world markets are the markets for weapons, narcotics, tobacco, sex, and environmentally disastrous fossil energy.
There is no way we can continue business as usual, if we want a liveable future for mankind. And we should never forget that we do have a choice.
We need to see corporations that are not only fixated on money. We need to see corporations going beyond even the environmental and broader sustainability imperatives. We need to see corporations built from a deep sense of responsibility for the common good. This means a core business that is good for society, as well as democratic and transparent organizations that are able to balance commercial success with idealistic principles.
Our contribution to this necessary change is PLANTAGON, a new and modern kind of company with maximum competitiveness, building on good corporate citizenship, transparency and democratic values.
The basic principle is to combine and balance commercial and value based driving forces in one organization, exploring how to make money while doing good and using the power of money and public support to achieve benefits for society in general, over and above economic progress.
PLANTAGON´s mission is Functional and ecological food directly to western consumers or starving
citizens of the third world. To bring this about we will introduce the Plantagon® greenhouse that will dramatically change the way we produce ecological and functional food. It allows us to produce ecological with clean air and water inside urban environments, even major cities, cutting costs and environmental damage by eliminating transportation and deliver directly to consumers. This is due to the efficiency and productivity of the Plantagon® greenhouse which makes it economically possible to finance each greenhouse from its own sales.
The quite simple innovation is to use the full volume of the greenhouse, growing in storages. The less simple but wise idea is to adjust the construction, shape and technology of the house mainly to what the plants need – not human beings. After maximizing what is good for the plants, advanced technology is used to help human beings take care of the plants in a rational way.
Parallel to the company we founded a non-profit organization with the same name as the company. The non-profit organization owns 10% of the company and nominates 50% of its board members. Membership of the non-profit organization is open to everyone who supports its objectives, and the company has no influence over it.
The company and the non profit organization are legally bound to support each other and commit to implementing the Global Compact and the Earth Charter in their Articles of Association and founding documents.
It is not only financial but also social compliance with the Articles of Association that is reviewed at each Annual General Meeting.
We call the PLANTAGON model a “Companization” – two different legal entities in one organization working for the same cause: One profit-driven, commercial organization (PLANTAGON International AB) and one non-profit organization (PLANTAGON Non-profit Association). The word Companization symbolizes the two driving forces within the organization as a whole – profit and values.
We admit we are after money. We admit we want to influence public opinion. We are therefore transparent about how we will use these two powerful resources and we demonstrate that we are prepared to share this power with everyone.
PLANTAGON integrates our mission, our promises and our values into the organization´s whole structure; from our Articles of Association to how we organize our ownership to give our stakeholders influence and power over our actions.
This may be the first time in the business sector that social responsibility, transparency and sharing are demonstrably valued at the same level as financial engagement.
This may be the first opportunity to influence a large company from the inside without being an employee, a manager or an investor, but by being socially engaged in supporting its mission.
This may be the first company to show that sharing rather than greed leads to financial success.
About PLANTAGON and the authors.
The Companization PLANTAGON was founded by SWECORP Citizenship Stockholm AB and Onondaga Nation.
Oren R. Lyons, Faithkeeper, Turtle Clan, Onondaga Nation, Haudenosaunee, Six Nations, Iroquois Confederacy Cattaraugus Indian Reservation, New York.
Member of the Onondaga Nation Council of Chiefs of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy.
Oren Lyons is recognized not only in the United States and Canada but internationally as an eloquent and respected spokesperson on behalf of Native peoples. He is a sought-after international lecturer or participant in forums in a variety of areas, including not only American Indian traditions, but Indian law and history, human rights, environment and interfaith dialogue, and has received numerous honors and awards.
Chief Lyons is a tenured professor of American Studies at the State University of New York, Buffalo. Through his educational efforts, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution in 1992 that formally acknowledges the contribution of the Iroquois Confederacy to the development of the United States Constitution.
He serves on the Executive Committee of the Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders on Human Survival, and is a principal figure in the Traditional Circle of Indian Elders, an annual council of traditional grassroots leadership of the major Indian nations of North America.
Chief Lyons has authored numerous books including Exiled in the Land of the Free; Democracy, Indian Nations, and the U.S. Constitution; as well as Voice of Indigenous Peoples (1992), and Native People Address the United Nations (1994).
Since january 2008 Oren R. Lyons is Chairman of PLANTAGON International AB.
Hans Hassle has 25 years experience in the business sector, 15 years as CEO for the Swedish communication agency Vision and Reality Communication AB in Stockholm.
Pioneer in Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) since 1986 and specialized since 1994 in analysis of values and daily practice connected to brand strategy. Developed several management tools for Corporate Citizenship and Brand Management.
Appointed by the Swedish Government to the Ethical Committee of Karolinska Medical Institute in Stockholm (Regionala Etikprövningsnämnden vid Karolinska Institutet).
Since January 2008 Hans Hassle is CEO of PLANTAGON International AB.
PLANTAGON® project 2003-06-17
3.0 / The Plantagon® project in brief.
The Plantagon® greenhouse will dramatically change the way we produce ecological
and functional food. It allows us to produce ecological with clean air and water inside
urban environments, even major cities, cutting costs and environmental damage by
eliminating transportation and deliver directly to consumers. This is due to the
efficiency and productivity of the Plantagon® greenhouse which makes it
economically possible to finance each greenhouse from its own sales.
The quite simple innovation is to use the full volume of the greenhouse, growing in
storages. The less simple but wise idea is to adjust the construction, shape and
technology of the house mainly to what the plants need – not human beings. After
maximizing what is good for the plants, advanced technology is used to help human
beings take care of the plants in a rational way.
• 3.1 / Over all idea:
To change focus in ecological growing from being a less competitive and
expensive alternative to “normal” production, to being more efficient, more
available and of higher quality that even a small production plant can be
financed by direct sales to end-users (consumers) without costs for middle
hands or transportation.
• 3.2 / Purpose:
To offer better food at a better price.
• 3.3 / Judicial ground (see separate presentation):
”Companization” – For Profit (company – limited or unlimited) + Non Profit
Organization (association – open for all).
• 3.4 / Constitution (see separate presentation):
Regulates obligatory purpose and objectives for board and management.
• 3.5 / Concept:
Functional and ecological food directly to western consumers or starving
citizens of the third world.
• 3.6 / Action Plan and costs:
”With a strategy built on ‘Action speak louder than words’ Plantagon® shows the possibilities
of responsible business. Plantagon® works down-to-earth to support positive thinking
regarding the possibilities for corporations to make a difference in developing society.” (See
“The Companization on Plantagon®”)
3.6.1 Close cooperation as equal owners (see “The Companization on
Plantagon®”) between technical knowledge from Sweden and wisdom from
Onondaga Nation. This cooperation is established to 1) Use experiences from
different cultures 2) Create a unique platform for public relations 3) Show the
power of lateral thinking and acting 4) To become a good example for others
to follow.
PLANTAGON® project 2003-06-17
2.0 / The PLANTAGON® greenhouse – background partners
The Onondaga Nation is a member of theHaudenosaunee (“People of the Long House”), an alliance of native nations united for hundreds of years by traditions, beliefs and cultural values. Also referred to as the Iroquois Confederacy or Six Nations, the Haudenosaunee consist of the Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Seneca, Onondaga Nation’s and Tuscarora nations.
SWECORP Citizenship® AB. Since spring 2000 Swecorp Citizenship® AB combine concrete engineering with knowledge within Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Citizenship. In this area they offer analysis, basis for decision and policy, guidance and education, implementation of policies, monitoring and management consulting. SWECORP also develop projects such as making energy use more efficient within corporations and other large organizations. The corporate mission of SWECORP Citizenship® AB is “Value Change For Survival”. The corporate vision is “For a Market with a Human Face”.
SWECORP Citizenship® AB was founded by Hans Hassle, who dedicated his whole grown up life to learn about, experiment with and manage commercial organisations trying to find out how to use them better for the common good. His main areas are Driving Visions, Human Resource and Brand Strategy.
Since his early 20’s, during the late 70’s, Hans is convinced that it will not be possible to maintain maximum profit as a single reason for a company to exist. Environmental, social and also political reasons will prevent that to continue. Hans claims: “Corporations not taking the international trend of values and ethics serious will at the end be swept off the market.”
Hans Hassle took the initiative to the PLANTAGON® project and is the brain and architect of strategy and organization for PLANTAGON®.
Chief Oren R. Lyons, member of the Onondaga Nation Council of Chiefs of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. Graduated in 1958 from the Syracuse University College of Fine Arts. He then pursued a career in commercial art in New York City. He has exhibited his own paintings widely and is noted as an American Indian artist.
Oren Lyons is recognized not only in the United States and Canada but internationally as an eloquent and respected spokesperson on behalf of Native peoples. He is a sought-after international lecturer or participant in forums in a variety of areas, including not only American Indian traditions, but Indian law and history, human rights, environment and interfaith dialogue, and has received numerous honors and awards.
For over fourteen years he has taken part in the meetings in Geneva of Indigenous Peoples of the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations, and helped to establish the Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982.
He serves on the Executive Committee of the Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders on Human Survival, and is a principal figure in the Traditional Circle of Indian Elders, an annual council of traditional grassroots leadership of the major Indian nations of North America.
Oren Lyons was a negotiator between the governments of Canada, Quebec, and New York State and the Mohawk Indians in the crisis at Oka during the summer of 1990, and led a delegation of seventeen American Indian leaders which met with President Bush in Washington on April 16, 1991.
A lifelong lacrosse player, Oren Lyons is currently Honorary Chairman of the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team. In 1989 he was named Man of the Year in Lacrosse by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Chief Lyons has authored numerous books including Exiled in the Land of the Free; Democracy, Indian Nations, and the U.S. Constitution; as well as Voice of Indigenous Peoples (1992), and Native People Address the United Nations (1994).
Chief Lyons is a tenured professor of American Studies at the State University of New York, Buffalo. Through his educational efforts, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution in 1992 that formally acknowledges the contribution of the Iroquois Confederacy to the development of the United States Constitution.
Since January 2008 Chief Lyons is Chairman of the Board in the Swedish company PLANTAGON International AB, developing technologies for urban vertical farming.
Åke Olsson, The Innovator of the Plantagon Greenhouse concept, is an educated gardener and construction worker, black smith, mechanic on cars, trucks, heavy duty machines and was also a farmer for 15 years. Åke was one of Sweden’s leading small-scale producer of ecological vegetables, wheat, corn, herbs, medical plants and decoration flowers.
During Åke’s whole grown up life he was looking for, and innovating, ideas that help mankind to take better care of each other and the Earth. So far Åke’s innovations mainly concern sustainable development of transportation, housing, medical care, energy and planting.
Åke fights the people who says things have to stay as they are, helps people when they need help and sees far into the future while reflecting over consequences from the way we choose to live today. “If we got ourselves here, we can get ourselves out of here!”, is one of his often used statements.
Åke lives together with his wife Barbara in Oppdal, a Norwegian town quite far north of the capital Oslo. Dduring many years of professional planting experience, he was experimenting with the foundations of the PLANTAGON®-greenhouse, together with his team member Jan Andersson.
SWECO Group is contracted by PLANTAGON to help us develop detailed solutions and productive ways of manufacturing the greenhouses. SWECO Group is Sweden’s largest consulting company in engineering, environmental management and architecture. With a staff of 2,300 and offices at 60 locations nationwide and overseas, we work on projects in more than 30 countries every year - in Europe, Africa, The Middle East, Asia and The Americas…
SWECO’s vision is to be Europe’s leading knowledge-based company in the fields of consulting engineering, environmental technology and architecture. Today, SWECO is the market leader in the fields of water and environmental technology, architecture and installation and has a strong market position in industrial structural engineering, energy systems, project management, hydroelectric power and civil engineering.
SWECO’s areas of expertise include forefront competence and experience in sectors such as Water & Environmental Technology, Power Systems, Hydropower and Nuclear Waste, Transportation Infrastructure and development projects in Pulp & Paper, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals and Retail & Logistics. SWECO is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
SWECO states officially: “It’s all about our environment, our security and our future – the knowledge, technology and solutions that create the society we want to live in.”
Swedish Plantagon Corporate Boardmembers
Michele Di Dato
michele.didato@plantagon.com
Michele Di Dato has a long and broad experience in the advertising industry and is the owner of the advertising bureau pmochco in Stockholm, where he also is CEO. pmochco is AAA rated by Dun & Bradstreet, which is very uncommon in Swedish advertising.
Michele is well trained in management and leadership through his long work in business, but also within the sports movement. He has several directorships, in private and municipal enterprises and in the voluntary sector.
Michele has a past as a player and manager at elite level and was sportsmanager for Djurgården Hockey for seven years. He now devotes much of his free time to work with values within the sports movement.
Mia Kristiansson
mia.kristiansson@plantagon.com
The Swedish media scene changed on New Year’s Eve 1987 when the first commercial television broadcasts started in Sweden. Since then, changes in that area has been accelerating year after year.
Mia Kristiansson has a background as a senior media adviser in Stockholm at Bonnier, Swedish Channel 5 and the leading agencies specializing on advising significant media buyers.
Mia worked with media strategies for TV, multimedia, integrated communications and with integrated marketing communications. Already then and especially now with a passion for media and medias instrumental value in communications.
She operates and carries out analysis of media and communications through collecting, evaluateing and analyzing large quantities of information and then create a ketchup effect.
Today Mias overall work consists in creating scenarios of future media consumption, describing the media convergence and try to give a picture of the development. A platform for communication strategies and media efforts in print and in flexible form.
Leif Sieurin
leif.sieurin@plantagon.com
Leif Sieurin is a registered psychologist, educated at Uppsala University. Since autumn 2005 he works as project manager and researcher at Uppsala University in the field of occupational health and sick leave.
Leif is often sought after by businesses and public administrations for missions related to organizational development, personal development, conflict resolution and mentoring.
He has a background as a staff manager at Folksam (North), staff manager in Gävle Municipality and staff manager in Falun Municipality.
As a staff manager Leif has developed and implemented integrated value based leadership and management development programs.
Leif has completed his psychologist eduacation with further studies in training in hypnosis and mental training at the University of Örebro and Sports Coaching at the National Sports Development boson.
After a period of collaboration with Lars-Eric Uneståhl Leif also worked with mental training for a number of elite athletes and wtih coaching and leader assignments for sports clubs.
Swedish Plantagon Non Profit Association Chairman
Göran Pettersson
goran.pettersson@plantagon.org
This is our first Letter of Intent, signed between Onondaga Nation and SWECORP. You should notice that the signing party on the Onondaga Nation side does not use his name, but his position. This is an example of different thinking compared to western leadership as it shows that the leader has no social or any other status else than the responsibility he accepted.
This is the invitation for the third and final discussions with the Onondaga Nation Council of Chiefs and the people of Onondaga Nation.
Onondaga Nation has its own national sovereignty on North American soil. The citizens of Onondaga Nation can use the nations own passport when travelling abroad.
In the house next to the Longhouse, waiting for the others to arrive for the meeting where we will decide whether or not to go into Phase 2o f the Plantagon project. January 2008, Onondaga Nation.
Right after the meeting agreeing to go into Phase 2 of the Plantagon project.
Outside the Longhouse. January 2008, Onondaga Nation.
From left: Stephan Stålered, SWECO / Chief Oren Lyons, Onondaga Nation / Hans Hassle, SWECORP / Chief Virgil Thomas, Onondaga Nation
…
Every month Hans Hassle writes a report to the People of Onondaga Nation about how the progress of our work is. Below you can follow the development by reading extracts from these letters.
…
Stockholm May 30, 2008
To the people of Onondaga Nation
Greetings to all of you,
And thank you for your great hospitality and friendliness during my last visit to Onondaga Nation. I cannot explain to you how much I respect your ways, your culture and your mission.
I am endlessly proud over the faith you put in me and I send you my deepest gratitude. I, SWECO, the innovator and all my colleagues will work hard to prove us worthy of this confidence.
It feels really good to be able to write this very first report regarding our common work with the Plantagon project. I promised to do it at the end of every month and from now on this will be done.
Coming home to Sweden from our last meeting I instantly started all the formal work to set up our common company Plantagon International AB.
First, it took us nearly two months to receive the money from the bank, due to all the financial controls necessary. During this time we couldn’t do anything more than wait, seeing the dollar continuing to loose value.
Secondly we had to argue for two months with the Swedish registration authorities over the Plantagon Articles of Association. They didn’t agree a company could register a binding social objective without going against the corporate laws. Finally, the lawyers could find no reason to stop us, and now we officially registered the first Articles of Association of this kind.
At the beginning of April, parallel to the legal work, I started the market analysis. I also started the planning for giving SWECO and the innovator directions for the work to be done.
April 23 I had my first physical preparation meeting with Stephan Stålered from SWECO.
April 28 a researcher from SWECORP started the market analysis. She gave me 600 pages back about green housing and farming after two weeks. I studied the Columbia University project myself.
May 9 I handed over more than 2 500 pages to SWECO and our innovator Åke Olsson and the real work could finally start.
The same day the registration of Plantagon International AB was officially ready and we received the confirmation letters from the authorities.
January 29, 2008 is the official date when Plantagon International AB has its birthday. May 9, 2008 is the date Plantagon International AB got the status as a registered corporation.
So, most of the time that went from our last meeting in Onondaga Nation was of the bureaucratic kind. Even though, it has been a very important part of our work as we have proven it is possible to argue for sharing and responsibility within a system normally working with totally different values.
Very comforting is also that the all the individual officers at the different authorities got very much engaged in our cause, even though they first tried to stop us from doing it our way.
We did win some hard battles, but our opponents kept cheering us all the way.
Yesterday, May 29, I had my second briefing with the engineers at SWECO. We agreed on some changes in strategy and content regarding the technical part of the desk study.
The objectives leading us right now are:
Simplification. Patterns. Packaging.
Next week or the following week we will put our innovator together with the engineers from SWECO for the first time. After this full day of work we will pin down a detailed plan for the technical study starting up after the summer holidays.
Meanwhile, the market analysis and strategy work continues. I am waiting for response from Columbia University, as I contacted them a few days ago. We need to fins out where they are in their development and if they are interested in working together with us.
Coming up during June is probably some visits together with Åke. We might not have to go, but it can be beneficial to see some exhibitions and experimental green houses. For sure, we have to visit Columbia University.
The plan was to be ready with the market study before July. I think we will manage this.
I attached the registration papers, so you can see that you now own 85% of a Swedish corporation named Plantagon International AB. During June 2008 we will remake the registration of the board members, putting the representatives of Onondaga Nation on 50% of the board.
I hope this information is sufficient so far, and I look forward to write to you again in a few weeks.
As I am writing this at home so my family send their warmest regards. Everyone appreciated the basket very much and we placed it where we can all be reminded every day of our special relation to you.
Björnåsen May 30, 2008
Hans Hassle
…
Gothenburg July 6, 2008
To the people of Onondaga Nation
Greetings to all of you,
Here comes my second report regarding our common work with the Plantagon project. As this is the last day before the Swedish summer holiday my next report will be dated end of August.
Since the formalities setting up Plantagon International AB were ready, this month was more about doing “real work”.
We finalized the market study almost in time (our objective was end of June); it will be ready next week.
The result so far is overwhelmingly positive for the market opportunities of the Plantagon concept of Vertical Farming.
June 18 we also formally started the technical part of the Plantagon development. Åke and myself spent almost a full day with the engineers at SWECO, explaining Åkes concept from a general point of view.
The result from this meeting was very good. We decided that Åke spends June 23 to August 18 with developing the concept further. On August 27 we will present all the drawings and calculations made by Åke to SWECO. After this it is time to start the “real work” when it comes to technical development.
One thing we didn´t do is to travel. We thought we would, but we do not want to spend money if we don’t feel sure it will give more back than we invest, and we couldn’t find any places or projects worth seeing. There might be a trade fair in Holland in October that we will go to, and hopefully there will be a journey to Columbia after the summer.
If Onondaga Nation wants me to come to Onondaga and report on the market analysis before we start the major technical development, I ask for this be scheduled for September 12 or the days close to this date. This would mean that we would not start item 4 above until after such a meeting.
I will talk to the Onondaga Nation board members about this possibility during the summer, and I trust them to inform me on your decision.
As I wrote in my first report I you now own 85% of a Swedish corporation named Plantagon International AB. During June 2008 we applied for the registration of the board members, putting the representatives of Onondaga Nation on 50% of the board.
First, the authority of corporate registration did not approve the Haudenosaunee passports of Chief Lyons and Chief Johnson. After arguing that this decision would put all indigenous peoples around the world, living outside the “modern” society, out of the possibility to own, control a “modern” corporation and contribute to a value change of the business community that we all need to see… they changed their decision. Actually, Chief Thomas is right now applying for his registration as a board member of Plantagon International AB with a picture of him that I took myself outside the longhouse. I affirmed the photograph to be a picture of Chief Thomas.
It is not yet confirmed that this procedure will pass the needle eye of the Swedish registration authority, but I believe so. A very positive thing for me to experience though, is the total openness and kindness we are being treated with by the salaried employees and lawyers at the different authorities we have to work with. As I wrote before: We win some hard battles, but our opponents keep cheering us all the way.
This time I do not attach any more papers than the report itself.
Like last time, I hope the information is sufficient so far, and I look forward to write to you again in a few weeks.
I am writing this between the games at Partille Cup in Gothenburg, the world largest tournament for young handball players. My daughter MoaLee and her team made it all the way to the final, so in a couple of hours her proud father and mother will hopefully experience a good game. So, again my family send their warmest regards.
Gothenburg July 6, 2008
Hans Hassle
…
Münster, October 13, 2008
To the people of Onondaga Nation
Greetings to all of you,
This is my third report regarding the Plantagon project.
The summer went already and the winter is slowly approaching Scandinavia. Right now I am in Germany visiting my best friend Tobias Geimer, who is the person that 1992 came up with the idea of “the Companization”.
Tomorrow I will catch a train to Amsterdam, where I will meet the innovator Åke Olsson. We will spend two days at “Hortifair”, one of the leading exhibitions for greenhousing.
Thursday we are back in Sweden for another exhibition regarding sustainable cities and Friday we have a full day meeting in Stockholm together with the engineers at SWECO.
During the summer we followed the plan, with minor changes due to the cancelled visit by the Onondaga board members planned for September.
SWECO really shows a genuine engagement for our project. For example, the sustainability manager of SWECO called me last week to discuss the possibility to build a Plantagon Greenhouse on the roof of the SWECO head quarter in Stockholm. SWECO also presented Plantagon to the city of Stockholm; SWECO are performing a sustainability study for the city and the concept of our greenhouse will be presented to the city leaders during the winter 2008 / 2009.
The Swedish authorities now approved that Chief Thomas will be registered as a board member of Plantagon International AB with the picture that I took myself outside the longhouse.
For reasons of secrecy I cannot attach any drawings, 3D-models or market statistics that has been produced by now. We have to leave all this material until we meet again, but I still hope this brief information is sufficient.
In my last letter I asked if the Nation wanted me to come to Onondaga and report on the market analysis before we started the major technical development. As we did not decide to go through with such a meeting we now start the technical part of the desk study without reporting the market study any further than I already did in these reports.
I remember I was righting my last letter right before the finals of the unofficial World Championships of handball for young players as my daughter MoaLee and her team had made it all the way to the final. I am happy and proud to tell you the last part of that story: After a very nervous first half, being down by four goals, they came back and won the whole tournament.
This time, the family Geimer sends their warmest regards as they are also deeply involved in what we are doing since many years.
Münster October 13, 2008
Hans Hassle
…
Katrineholm, December 20, 2008
To the people of Onondaga Nation
Greetings to all of you,
Christmas is approaching, but we have no snow at all here in Sweden. The weather is warmer than normal.
In my last conversation over the telephone a few minutes ago, a scientist employed at SWECO told me that if we would use just a small piece of the farmland in Sweden where we grow plants to produce some ethanol for cars; …if we would use that same land for solar cells instead we would get energy enough for all Swedish cars, all year round. But we just don’t do it.
This scientist also told me that 5% of the investments going into saving the financial system right now would make it possible to achieve the UN Millennium goals for the global environment. But we just don’t do it.
I do not know how realistic or true these statements are, but I really hope our common work with the Plantagon project will contribute to a real Change of things. So we can say we just did it.
So many things happened since October so I right them down one by one so I don’t make this letter too long.
This is my fourth report regarding the Plantagon project:
- The financial crisis forced us to spread the Plantagon financial resources between several banks to protect our money. This measure was taken already in October.
- The technical development Stage 1 was finalized yesterday. This stage includes outer and inner construction of the greenhouse and logistics. After Christmas holidays some details will be designed and documented, but already at this moment we finalized 3D-drawings and animations of the most critical parts.
- The technical development Stage 2 including ventilation system, service, maintenance and spare parts management, irrigation and nutrient supply system, seed facilities, loading and distribution and finally control system, will start in February. Meanwhile, the innovator Åke Olsson and our engineer Jan Andersson will prepare the complimentary 3D materiel needed for this stage (they already presented most of the written material needed).
- At the end of October we filed our first application for a Plantagon patent.
- In November we applied for the Plantagon trademark “Vertical Farming”.
- December 2 Plantagon was presented in the leading Swedish business magazine Dagens Industri. In the article the CEO of SWECO Sweden said: “This is interesting to us as the project is well in line with our mission to contribute to sustainable energy and design. The future development demands from us to renew our thinking and find new solutions for how we live and how we plant.”
- December 2 Plantagon launched its first web-page at www.plantagon.com and www.plantagon.org At this web-page you can find some of our authentic material, articles, videos, audio and personal reflections.
- December 3 Plantagon was invited to the Globe Forum Sustainable Innovators 100, selecting the 100 most promising companies within sustainability solutions. The selected companies will be an important part of the Globe Forum-conference in Stockholm June 4th-5th 2009. The conference might be valuable to Plantagon in meeting new customers, partners and investors from all over the world. For more information regarding Globe Forum: http://www.gfbn.com/
- December 4, 2008 the Plantagon Greenhouse concept was part of a preliminary proposal from SWECO to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.
These are the main things that happened during this period. As I wrote in my last report I cannot enclose any technical material, but Chief Lyons brought some material home though when visiting Sweden for the Interfaith Climate Summit earlier this month.
One thing though, that I really want to underline, is that the innovator Åke Olsson is doing a fantastic work for Plantagon. It is a privilege to work with him and I know that the greenhouse is not the last innovation from this brilliant mind.
I also want to express my admiration for Åke´s colleague Jan Andersson, a very important allied resource of knowledge and technical support and I hope you will have the possibility to meet him at a later stage of our work.
I look forward very much to meet again. I want to share with you all the things I had the privilege to learn during our efforts so far. I still believe this vision can become reality and I am feeling more and more how important that could be for future generations.
My whole family and I send our warmest regards and wish you well.
Katrineholm December 20, 2008
Hans Hassle