Right before the big election last week, I found myself thinking about beliefs and what people are absolutely sure they know, regardless of the facts. Two stories that appeared on the front page of the New York Times on the same day, demonstrated Americans’ remarkable ability to kid ourselves. But a program in Kansas is showing how you can get people to tackle climate change even if they don’t believe in it.
A cover story in the NY Times today declares, “Cost of Green Power Makes Projects Tougher Sell.” Apparently wind turbines are not flying off the shelves as fast as a couple of years ago. States are unwilling to add negligible costs to power bills.
On the heels of the big election, we’re all wondering what it means for the issues that matter most to each of us. I’m of course watching closely for signs of what this means for sustainability and the green agenda. On high-speed rail, we may find common ground.
Obviously some things have changed in Washington and around the country in the last 24 hours. But what will this shift in power mean for the green business movement and for the sustainability agenda in general? It may not change as much as you think, and I see a number of reasons to maintain hope.
The green marketing research firm Terrachoice released its annual “Sins of Greenwashing” study last Tuesday. I got a sneak peak on Monday…here are the big picture findings, and some of the debate over the report.
On the heels of my recent column on China’s investment in clean technology, two news items really caught my attention in the last couple of weeks. They tell an interesting story of who in the U.S. is really prepared to build a modern energy system.
Business guru Seth Godin is on a bit of a tear lately on issues related to sustainability.
Three posts that grab me…
From the great Edward Abbey: “Do not burn yourselves out. Be as I am. A reluctant enthusiast and part-time crusader. A half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves for pleasure and adventure.”
In the heated discussions about climate change and the clean tech economy, it’s hard to avoid arguing about whether green jobs are “real” or if they can replace traditional fossil-fuel jobs. But this debate is moot on two counts.
By wielding a tool more powerful than legal action, protests, or even partnership, a relative upstart — the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) — has rapidly become the NGO to watch. CDP and its backers are basically demanding transparency– that’s the powerful idea that makes the NGO so strong.
‘Is the World Better Off Because Your Company Is In It?’: Examining Corporate Climate Responsibility
