Jameel Gordon 10/21/25 Jameel Gordon 10/21/25

Why I Care About the Environment Even If I Don’t Always Act “Perfectly”

Recently, someone close to me accused me of not caring about the environment. They know me well and, in their view, my actions don’t align with my supposed concern for climate change and sustainability. To some extent, they’re right. If you judged me solely on small, individual actions, you might wonder where my concern truly lies.

I don’t panic over oil spills. I run the shower before I get in (like a good 15 minutes. I like the bathroom steamy! 🤣). My wardrobe, while mostly secondhand, is not made from natural fibers. I drive to the gym fifteen minutes away if I’m running late instead of walking. By conventional standards, some of these choices may seem hypocritical, even careless.

But here’s the thing: I know the climate crisis isn’t solved by guilt or perfection. It’s not fixed by the sum of individual acts alone, no matter how virtuous they are. The real drivers of environmental destruction are large-scale, systemic, and corporate; the result of industries, policies, and consumption patterns far beyond any one person’s control. I refuse to fool myself into thinking that personal sacrifice alone will save the planet.

That doesn’t mean I don’t care. On the contrary, the natural world is central to who I am. My entire being thrives outdoors, in forests, on mountains, by rivers, under the open sky. I care deeply. But caring doesn’t always look like constant individual vigilance. Caring can also mean focusing energy where it can make a tangible impact: seeking real-world solutions, influencing change at systemic levels, and thinking critically about how we interact with the environment on a larger scale.

Yes, I recognize the apparent hypocrisy. I see the moments where my choices don’t align with my ideals. But the criticism that I don’t care about the environment is wrong. My care isn’t performative; it’s real, it’s thoughtful, and it’s strategic.

I share this because I think we need to broaden the conversation about what it means to care for the planet. Environmentalism isn’t just about small, individual acts of virtue. It’s about understanding the scale of the problem and directing our energy toward meaningful solutions, not personal guilt.

So yes, I care. Profoundly. I just care in ways that are intentional, pragmatic, and rooted in reality not in a constant treadmill of performative ECO-GUILT.

Jameel Gordon 10/15/25 Jameel Gordon 10/15/25

Reintroducing the Endogenous Sustainable Economy Theory: A New Vision for Global Sustainability

In recent years, the global conversation around sustainability has increasingly centered on frameworks like the circular economy: models designed to reduce waste, regenerate resources, and create more efficient systems of production and consumption. From the European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan to China’s state-led industrial circularity initiatives, these efforts have laid the groundwork for a more sustainable world. Organizations like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation have played a pivotal role in translating these ideas into actionable strategies for businesses, governments, and communities.

Yet as effective as these frameworks are, they often remain exogenous, shaped by external regulations, standards, and institutional mandates. While they address efficiency and material flows, they do not fully engage with the inner dimension of sustainability; the consciousness, values, and agency of the individuals and communities at the heart of economic systems.

This is where the Endogenous Sustainable Economy Theory (ESET) enters the conversation. ESET is not simply a set of policies or technical solutions; it is a paradigm shift in how we understand and organize the economy itself. At its core, ESET proposes that true sustainability must arise from within—from the values, intentions, and decisions of individuals, communities, and local ecosystems. It envisions an economy that is relational, regenerative, and self-aware, where prosperity is measured not just in financial or material terms, but in the flourishing of human and ecological well-being.

The theory challenges the traditional “take-make-dispose” paradigm by asking not only how we produce and consume sustainably, but why and for whom. It recognizes that external systems—whether regulatory, technological, or market-driven—can only succeed when aligned with the conscious choices of the people they serve. In an ESET-informed world, economic systems are co-created, adaptive, and deeply rooted in local cultures and ecologies, yet connected by universal principles of regeneration, sufficiency, and ethical reciprocity.

I am going to further my work to fully develop and operationalize ESET on a global scale. This next phase will focus on defining practical pathways for education, governance, industrial systems, and technology that are informed by endogenous principles. It will involve collaboration across sectors, cultures, and communities to ensure that ESET is not just a theoretical framework, but a living, actionable model for sustainable and equitable global economies.

The goal is ambitious: to create an economic paradigm where sustainability is not imposed from the outside but emerges naturally from the conscious choices of humanity itself. The circular economy is a great structure, but ESET provides the inner logic, the compass guiding how those structures are used, adapted, and evolved.

In the months ahead, I will share updates, insights, and practical tools as we begin this work. ESET is more than a theory. It is a call to reimagine how we live, produce, and thrive together on a finite planet. We invite innovators, thinkers, and change-makers from all sectors to engage, contribute, and co-create this next chapter of sustainability with us.

The journey toward an endogenous sustainable economy is just beginning and together, we can design systems that are not only regenerative for the planet, but restorative for society, communities, and the human spirit itself.

Jameel Gordon 10/9/25 Jameel Gordon 10/9/25

Rethinking the Energy Question in AI and Climate Change

When it comes to conversations about climate change and artificial intelligence, the number one concern that always comes up is energy. People are quick to point out that AI consumes massive amounts of power to process even a single inquiry. And they’re right. Data centers require enormous energy, much of which today isn’t green, not by global standards, and certainly not by the standards I believe we should hold ourselves to.

Here’s my response: don’t worry about it. Not in the way you think.

Understanding energy consumption in AI requires stepping back and looking at the bigger picture. You have to look at how current industries operate, how economic pillars are structured, and how these pillars are attempting to transition into the future we are building. I am being kind here: let’s pretend this energy use oversight is transitional. The reality is far from perfect, but that doesn’t mean it’s a long-term crisis.

The truth is, the energy challenge in AI isn’t insurmountable. There are solutions. Not the obvious ones most people imagine. This isn’t about small optimizations or half-measures; it’s about fundamentally rethinking how we create, store, and distribute energy at scale, and how we integrate that with intelligent systems.

I recently heard a tech CEO talking about ambitions to build data centers in space. Now, if the goal is to extend humanity’s reach and infrastructure into the cosmos, I can see the logic. But if the intention is to solve Earth-bound energy problems by sending our problems into orbit, that’s shortsighted. It’s a natural urge, born of good intentions, but it’s not intelligent—it’s not a future-oriented solution.

So here’s the real takeaway: everyone needs to relax. Let’s brush up on our basic sciences. Let’s clear our minds and focus on tapping into our internal creative processes. The future isn’t something to fear; it’s something to co-create. The possibilities that lie ahead—across climate, technology, and society—are far greater than you can imagine or think right now.

The energy question is just the beginning. If we approach it with intelligence, creativity, and courage, we’ll find that the solutions are already waiting for us sometimes in places we least expect.

Peace,

Jameel

Jameel Gordon 4/8/25 Jameel Gordon 4/8/25

The World’s First De-Extinction

When I say I am the architect of the entire strategic roadmap for human evolution this is what I mean:

None of this would be possible without artificial intelligence.

Stay tuned. 🏁

Jameel Gordon 3/25/25 Jameel Gordon 3/25/25

The Overlooked Link: Climate Change, Healthcare, and Nutrition

One area I want to explore more deeply is the connection between the climate crisis and our healthcare systems—not just in terms of air quality and toxins, which I am already familiar with and have drawn conclusions about, particularly regarding common diseases and cancers, but from the perspective of nutrition and environmental sustainability.

Whether we acknowledge it or not, our bodies are deeply connected to the environment. We breathe the air, touch natural and artificial surfaces, drink the water, and eat the food—all of which are part of an ecosystem that is being actively shaped by the climate crisis.

Are our food supply, nutrition, and healthcare systems prepared to handle the challenges of an increasingly volatile global climate? As climate change accelerates, these systems will only face greater strain unless meaningful action is taken.

I welcome any insights, research, or discussions on this topic, so please feel free to share your thoughts. Thank you.

Jameel Gordon 2/20/25 Jameel Gordon 2/20/25

The Climate Crisis Is an Economic Crisis

Look, we have an unhealthy global environment—what we like to call the climate crisis—because we have an unhealthy global economy built on a flawed economic model. Yet, everyone acts as if it’s the best system in the world.🕴🏾

I really want to title this, “Dear Walter…”, but I will save that for another time.

Jameel Gordon 2/19/25 Jameel Gordon 2/19/25

The Endogenous Sustainable Economy

A business that operates sustainably at the highest level is not just maximizing profits in the present, it’s also securing the highest possible return on its current investments for the future. This shift represents a fundamental change in how business must be conducted in the 21st century.

Now, this is a crucial point: Even without discounts, concessions, or marketing their sustainable practices, when businesses make sustainability—true sustainability—a core part of their operations, the economic benefits become self-evident. If this approach were scaled across industries, not only would the need for regulations diminish, but resource scarcity would also decrease. This, in turn, would lower production costs across the board and prevent the compounding financial burden of environmental degradation. Currently, businesses often try to offset these costs with short-term incentives like discounts and concessions, but that approach only treats the symptoms, not the root cause.

I understand the weight of this argument. What I am emphasizing is the intrinsic economic logic of true sustainability—independent of external incentives or marketing.

Sustainability as a Core Operation

When businesses genuinely integrate sustainability into their fundamental operations, it leads to inherent efficiencies and long-term cost savings.

This isn’t about “greenwashing” or surface-level gestures. It’s about fundamentally redesigning processes, supply chains, and product lifecycles to minimize environmental impact while improving economic resilience.

Systemic Benefits

If this approach were widely adopted, it would create a ripple effect throughout the global economy:

• Resource scarcity would be mitigated, reducing upward pressure on commodity prices.

• The need for costly regulatory interventions would diminish as businesses self-regulate through sustainable practices.

• The overall cost of production would decrease across all industries.

Think of the cost savings on legal and lobbyist fees - a game changer in itself.

Avoiding Future Costs

By preventing environmental damage at the outset, businesses would avoid the long-term financial burden of cleanup, remediation, and adaptation.

This would foster a more stable, predictable economic environment—one that supports long-term profitability rather than reacting to crises after the fact.

The Problem with Current Practices

Sustainability incentives—such as discounts and concessions—while sometimes useful, are ultimately a symptom of a deeper market failure. They attempt to compensate for inefficiencies rather than addressing the underlying problem.

The central argument here is that true sustainability is not a cost—it is a fundamental driver of economic efficiency and resilience.

Instead of a reactive approach that seeks to fix damage after it occurs, businesses should adopt a proactive strategy that prevents harm in the first place. This would create a win-win scenario where both the economy and the environment thrive.

If every business operated as sustainably as possible, the market would naturally self-correct, eliminating the need for many external interventions—including unpredictable corrective measures like inflation.

The Endogenous Sustainable Economy vs. The Circular Economy

The concept I am describing aligns with, and in many ways represents the ideal outcome of, the Circular Economy. However, there are key distinctions and I make no apologies:

Scope

• The Endogenous Sustainable Economy is a broad concept that encompasses environmental, social, and economic dimensions. It aims for long-term well-being by ensuring that present needs are met without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same.

• The Circular Economy is a specific framework focused on production and consumption. It primarily seeks to eliminate waste and maximize resource efficiency within an economic model.

Focus

• The Endogenous Sustainable Economy emphasizes the balance between ecological, social, and economic systems.

• The Circular Economy focuses on closed-loop systems, resource efficiency, and minimizing waste throughout the product lifecycle.

Methodology

• The Endogenous Sustainable Economy provides overarching principles and long-term goals.

• The Circular Economy offers concrete strategies and tools, such as:

• Designing out waste and pollution

• Keeping products and materials in use

• Regenerating natural systems

The Relationship Between the Two

The Endogenous Sustainable Economy argues that if businesses inherently integrate true sustainability into their core operations, the benefits that the Circular Economy seeks to achieve would emerge as a natural byproduct of those business practices.

Put simply:

• The Circular Economy is a structured approach to achieving sustainability.

• The Endogenous Sustainable Economy describes a scenario where sustainability is so deeply ingrained in business operations that the goals of the Circular Economy are achieved effortlessly.

In this sense, the two are strongly aligned. However, I am proposing a framework where the objectives of the Circular Economy are no longer an external goal but an internalized, self-sustaining reality.

This is a mitigation principle as I continue to think about the future of economics.

😮‍💨🏁💪🏾

Jameel Gordon 1/30/25 Jameel Gordon 1/30/25

My Life’s Work: Building a Sustainable Future For Everyone.

To say the least, this is my life’s work: to deconstruct the complex relationships that bind our economic systems—businesses, consumers, and the environment—and build a future for everyone—and do so in a sustainable manner. Our current economic models extracts more than it gives, prioritizes short-term profits over long-term well-being, and leaves too many behind. I know we can reimagine a sustainable future because I am.

This is not just about theory; it’s about action. It’s about the complexity of designing businesses that empower rather than exploit—and the willingness to do so at a sunk cost. It’s about acknowledging our consumption patterns, our needs, our wants, our desires as humans, being able to meet these aspects of our humanity, and do so in a way that sustains rather than deplete.

People and the planet are a given because none of us has complete control over either. It’s about ensuring the entire planet and all its inhabitants aren’t an afterthought, but it’s very foundation. And I intend to do all of this peacefully, well-fed, and in my own chosen version of opulence, and I will do so for a lifetime + more.

When I am done—when all our frameworks are in place, when sustainability isn’t just a buzzword but a lived reality—I will take a step back. I will look at my work, look at my wife, look at my kids, and look at my friends—all of my friends. And then, together, we will decide what’s next. Because the work of building a better future doesn’t end; it evolves. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.🏁🥂😘

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