Erik Assadourian, Senior Fellow and Director State of the World 2010

Erik Assadourian is a Senior Fellow at Worldwatch Institute where he has studied cultural change, consumerism, ecological ethics, corporate responsibility, and sustainable communities, over the past 10 years. Most recently, Erik directed State of the World 2010: Transforming Cultures: From Consumerism to Sustainability. This report, bringing together 60 leading sustainability thinkers and published in 14 languages, spreads the idea that for humanity to bring about a secure future, we will need to intentionally and proactively transform cultural norms so that living sustainably feels as natural as living as a consumer feels today.

Erik also maintains the Transforming Cultures project blog, which continues to explore new innovative ways to bring about a culture of sustainability. His latest adventure is creating a climate change scenario for the popular board game Settlers of Catan, which he hopes will allow players to grapple personally with the difficulties of climate change politics. He is also now co-directing the upcoming State of the World 2012: A New Architecture for Sustainable Prosperity.

During his time at Worldwatch, Erik has also directed two editions of Vital Signs, Worldwatch’s annual analysis of sustainability trends, co-directed State of the World 2005: Rethinking Global Security, and led a two-year research project on sustainable communities. Over the years Erik has been interviewed by media around the world and has traveled extensively to communicate his research.

Before joining Worldwatch, Erik learned environmental organizing as a fellow with Green Corps, and worked as a Toxics and Environmental Health Field Organizer with U.S. PIRG. He graduated from Dartmouth College with majors in Psychology and Religion modified with Anthropology.

Selected Publications

• "The Rise and Fall of Consumer Cultures," in State of the World 2010 (W.W. Norton & Company, 2010). 
• "Engaging Communities for a Sustainable World," in State of the World 2008 (W.W. Norton & Company, 2008).
• "The Evolving Corporation Series," World Watch, May/June 2005, September/October 2005, and March/April 2006.
• "Transforming Corporations," in State of the World 2006 (W.W. Norton & Company, 2006).
• "Laying the Foundations for Peace," in State of the World 2005 (W.W. Norton & Company, 2005), co-authored with Hilary French and Gary Gardner.
• "Rethinking the Good Life," in State of the World 2004 (W.W. Norton & Company, 2004), co-authored with Gary Gardner.
• "The State of Consumption Today," in State of the World 2004 (W.W. Norton & Company, 2004), co-authored with Gary Gardner and Radhika Sarin.
• "What is Sustainability, Anyway?" in World Watch, September/October 2003, co-authored with Tom Prugh.
• "The Growing Value of Gardens," in World Watch, January/February 2003.