Not too many years ago, it was relatively easy to operate in a state of denial about climate change. Not long ago, it was the practice of most of us to ignore warnings about chemicals in our water supply – chemicals toxic to our bodies, or to our unborn children and grandchildren.
Less than a decade ago, I got chuckles when I checked out at the grocery store – they called me “Miss Organic.” If you were concerned about the environment, you were – yes, a tree hugger.
Even more recently, I let myself believe I was doing my part by recycling nearly everything, carrying my little cloth bags to the grocery store, supporting poultry and meat suppliers who used methodology that didn’t make me crumple in horror watching a documentary about livestock.
And for years, I was an active member of the World Business Academy. I attended their provocative conferences and read reams of reports related to the academy’s goals: moving business leaders from self service to servant leadership, inspiring changes that can result in young people entering a noble profession instead of a jungle and encouraging a business world at large to spend money in keeping with their values. (I still encourage all entrepreneurs and other business leaders to hook up with this academy.)
Were those goals ever more important?
And now “green” is in. “Sustainable” is applied to nearly everything in the marketplace.
The ACES Act, also known as “cap and trade,” was just passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, which will require the reduction of carbon emissions from major U.S. sources if passed by the Senate.
The Clean Water Act was adopted in 1969. However, recent studies of a class of chemicals called endocrine disruptors add to the mounting evidence that our water supply is still very scary. (You may want to read Nicholas Kristof’s June 28 column in the New York Times.)
Even more disturbing are results of a recent study using the MIT Integrated Global Systems Model. This report from MIT’s Center for Global Change Science shows that without rapid and massive action, the problem of climate change will be much worse than previously estimated. The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) released their report that showed that new projected changes are higher than the projections they published in 2007. This panel also reported that, “strong policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can still avert the worst consequences of climate change.” Whew.
You might be thinking – what does this have to do with my business? Or, you might be so focused on keeping your business “sustainable” (as in “alive”) that sustaining the planet isn’t occupying much space in your mind. Or you might believe you’re doing all you can, buying recycled copy paper and collecting soda cans in a tub in the lunchroom.
It is my belief that you can do more. A tenet of the Global Business Academy is that business is the most powerful institution on the planet and therefore should be first in line to actuate social change.
You probably belong to executive roundtables or similar groups. Perhaps you can begin conversations there about the salient issues of climate change, deforestation, water, and more. Perhaps you can engage all your employees in an initiative based on clear science and directed toward measurable positive results for the planet. You have influence in the community. What possibilities are there for you to use that influence, to use your connections to aid in reconstituting the planet?
Environmentalist Paul Hawken, in his commencement address to the Class of 2009 at the University of Portland, said, “When asked if I am pessimistic or optimistic about the future, my answer is always the same: If you look at the science about what is happening on Earth and aren’t pessimistic, you don’t understand data. But if you meet the people who are working to restore this earth, and you aren’t optimistic, you haven’t got a pulse.”
Later in his address he said, “We can either create assets for the future or take the assets of the future. One is called restoration and the other exploitation. Nature beckons you to be on her side.”
Action is taking place in every nook and cranny of the world. Why not lead your organization in your own action plan aimed at preserving our planet. And why not now?
