San Francisco, CA – June 1, 2005 – For the first time this century, the United Nations World Environment Day 2005 convenes in San Francisco today and Presidio World College is among the impressive line-up of participants committed to improving urban environmental issues. Presidio World College, which offers the only accredited MBA program in Sustainable Management, is taking an active role in World Environment Day with Presidio faculty member, co-author of Natural Capitalism, and world-renowned sustainability consultant Hunter Lovins speaking at a number of events around the city.

“Sustainability in business is critical to our global well-being and World Environment Day draws attention to this very important issue,” said Lovins. “Companies that are going to survive in these very turbulent times will be those that can operate sustainably, and they need people who know how to make sound and sustainable business decisions.”

Lovins will participate in the Inspiring Sustainable Culture Symposium as part of the World Environment Day activities. Sitting among other distinguished panelists, Lovins will discuss the pivotal role of sustainability in business and government to the future of our planet. This will take place at Fort Mason Festival Pavilion from 12:45 to 1:45 PM, on Saturday, June 4.

The same day, at 2 PM at the PG&E building, Lovins will also speak at the Urban Environmental Accords / Greening of San Francisco, part of Mayor Gavin Newsom’s schedule of events, taking place at the Pacific Energy Center. The overall World Environment Day theme for Saturday is Urban Power: Energy, Renewables and Energy Conservation, and Hunter’s talk title is “Development as if the World Mattered.”

Coinciding with the activities of World Environment Day, Presidio will graduate its first class of students from the intensive, two-year MBA program in Sustainable Management on Saturday, June 4, at the Presidio Golf Course Clubhouse. A core objective of the Presidio collaborative learning community is to help students realize their calling. The MBA program helps prepare students with the knowledge and tools necessary to deliver bottom-line growth by applying ethical, social and environmental values to all business practices.

As part of other World Environment Day events, Lovins will also speak at the “Celebrating Women’s Leadership in Sustainable Development” event, on Sunday, June 5, from 1 PM to 5 PM at the Fort Mason Festival Pavilion. The event highlights the central role women play in promoting sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

Celebrated in venues throughout San Francisco, World Environment Day 2005 will run June 1-5. The Green Cities Expo showcase event is set for June 3-5 at Fort Mason Festival Pavilion in San Francisco’s Marina District. The expo is free and open to the public.

For more information about World Environment Day, visit www.wed2005.org. For information on Presidio World College and the MBA program in Sustainable Management, call 415.561.6590 or visit www.presidioworldcollege.org.

Presidio World College

An affiliate of Alliant International University, Presidio World College in San Francisco, California, offers the first accredited two-year MBA program in Sustainable Management integrating social, ethical and environmental values into every course. Since 2003, the program has succeeded as a collaborative learning community committed to sustainability. With a Presidio MBA, students realize their calling and get the training and skills they need to implement it through sustainable initiatives in a business or organizational setting. For information about Presidio World College, call 415.561.6590, or visit www.presidioworldcollege.org.

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karen monroe