In 1982, Amory and Hunter Lovins founded the Rocky Mountain Institute, an applied research center based in Colorado, which describes itself as an "entrepreneurial, nonprofit organization that fosters the efficient and restorative use of resources to create a more secure, prosperous, and life-sustaining world." Hunter left the institute in the summer of 2002 to pursue an independent career devoted to taking her passion for "natural capitalism" (see links below) to a wider audience. Amory remains as CEO.  Both are well-known as writers and speakers on energy and environmental topics and as innovators in these fields.

Amory Lovins received his education in experimental physics at Harvard and at Oxford Universities, from which he holds an M.A.  He has received (at last count) eight honorary doctorates and numerous awards and prizes, including a MacArthur Fellowship (1993, known informally as a "genius award"), the Mitchell Prize (1982), and a World Technology Award (1999). Time Magazine named him a "hero of the planet" in 2000.

As a member of the California bar, L. Hunter Lovins has roots in the legal profession. Prior to joining Amory in the pursuits that have occupied them for several decades, she helped establish and was, for six years, assistant director of the California Conservation Project, an urban forestry and environmental education organization.  She has collaborated on seven books with Amory Lovins and the two shared the 1999 Lindbergh Award, a 1993 Nissan Prize, a 1983 Right Livelihood Award, and the Onassis Foundation's first Delphi Prize in 1989.

This is the ninth in a series of Tidbits of the Week devoted to the authors whose works appear in the just-published 9th edition of Technology and the Future.  Last week's Tidbit profiled Robert Pool.  Future Tidbits will profile such other writers on technology as Gene Rochlin, Paul Duguid,  Brian Martin, and President George W. Bush (!). 

The home page of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), which Amory and Hunter Lovins founded together and of which Amory is CEO.

Amory Lovins's bio on the RMI site (with a link to a longer bio in pdf format at the bottom).

Hypercar, Inc.  A for-profit company founded by Amory Lovins (who chairs its Board of Directors) to develop and produce a highly fuel-efficient, low-emissions hydrogen-powered vehicle.  (An interesting and very cool site.)

"Amory Lovins Sees the Future and It Is Hydrogen," Donella Meadows's The Global Citizen (May 4, 1999).  An article about Hypercar.

Other biographies and profiles of Amory Lovins:
    On Counterbalance.net (a site devoted to science and religion).
    On the Global Business Network site.
    On Time-Warner Bookmark's "The Authors" site (includes Hunter Lovins).
    On The E. F. Schumacher Society web site.

Cameron M. Burns, "Hunter Takes Off on Solo Career," RMI Newsletter (Summer 2002). "Citing a desire to work independently of the Institute, RMI cofounder L. Hunter Lovins resigned in early June." Her first major project will be finishing her book, The Human Dimensions of Natural Capitalism. The article describes Hunter's colorful life, including her service with the Basalt Rural Fire Protection District and her equestrian activities.

"Bioneers: Amory Lovins," a profile of Lovins on "Greenmeans," a program of San Francisco public TV station KQED.  Transcript of an interview plus a video clip.

Scott Burns, "Amory Lovins: Different Drummer, Right March," The Dallas Morning News (August 19, 2001).  On the site of Rep. Bernie Sanders (Independent Congressman from Vermont).

"Masters of Innovation: Amory Lovins," on Business Week Online (March 23, 2001).  "'Efficiency goes straight to the bottom line,' asserts the alternate-energy guru in an interview."

Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, and L. Hunter Lovins, Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution (web site devoted to the book). Author profiles. 

Hunter Lovins discusses the future of natural capitalism (video interview).  On "Looking for Oregon's Future:  What is Sustainability?" (Oregon State University).

Susan Witt, executive director, E. F. Schumacher Society, "Interview with Amory Lovins" (September 8, 2001).

Amory Lovins, "Electricity Solutions for California," speech to the Commonwealth Club of California (July 11, 2001).  Includes a transcript of the speech, Q&A, a RealAudio file of the event, links, and a form to order a tape.

Amory Lovins speaking about his book and concept, Natural Capitalism on ABC (the Australian Broadcasting Company) (2001). Includes a transcript and an audio file.

J.A.L. Robertson, "The Plain Man's Guide to Amory Lovins."  A critical view originally published by Charles Yulish Associates Inc. in Soft vs. Hard Energy Paths: 10 Critical Essays (1977) and subsequently, in abridged format, in Electric Perspectives, 1977/3, pp.21 - 24.  "Amory Lovins is a dangerous individual, because he is selling a dream without presenting the bill."