People "R" Us
 
This week's feature article from GreenBiz.com Executive Editor Joel Makower provides an important reminder of an absolutely fundamental -- and unfinished -- task in our drive to take effective action on global climate change.

Stated simply, we need to redouble our efforts to describe both the problem and possible solutions in language that "people" can understand. And while Joel cites an excellent report from the Social Capital Project that focuses on the challenge of communicating to the broad public, the points made are, in my view, equally applicable to more "expert" audiences.
 
I just returned from a great week at BSR's Annual Conference 2009, during which the issue of climate change and the upcoming negotiations in Copenhagen were top-of-mind among 1,000 delegates representing companies, NGOs and academic institutions from more than 40 countries.

The focus of most discussions -- both on the plenary stage and in the hallways -- was on the relative merits of specific strategies and tactics for taking advantage of the current economic/political "moment" in order to build momentum for positive change.  Real and justifiable excitement was generated by a diverse and rapidly growing body of public and private sector initiatives, including those highlighted in this week's newsletter, ranging from the Obama Administration's GreenGov initiative to solar panel arrays, green taxi fleets, and Tesco's innovative customer programs.

At the same time, we heard a lot about the ongoing struggle to explain the basics to everyone from line employees and senior management to boards of directors. Basic questions remain in play: Is the science behind climate change credible? Can we afford to take action? Can we really hope to make a difference?
 
So as we continue to debate the relative merits of potential technological, political, and business solutions, let's not forget that our success depends on bringing a large number of as-yet unconvinced people with us, people who lack the time, interest and/or resources to engage in the game as it is currently being played.

Eric Olson is senior vice president of advisory services at BSR.

This free set of tools, trainings and best practices for changing driver behavior and maximizing fleet performance are among the offerings developed by the Environmental Defense Fund in partnership with shipping and logistics companies.

This report highlights the incremental cost of building to meet Enterprise Green Communities Criteria and outlines the long-term benefits of green building methods.

Bottom line: Estimated lifetime savings from green and affordable housing exceed the initial investment necessary to create it, the study says.

Join this fast paced live 60 minute free webinar to hear a first-hand presentation and analysis of the second edition annual Green Building Market & Impact Report with the report’s author, Robert Watson, the executive editor of GreenerBuildings.com and a founding father of LEED. The report offers an in-depth assessment of the land, water, energy, material and employee productivity impacts of the LEED standards.

November 5, 2009 at 12:30 PM EST