Environment vs. Economy - Friends or Foes
Environment vs. Economy – Friends or Foes
Job-killing regulations.
We are all familiar with this common phrase, most often spoken by
various political leaders in regards to policies that often come to light without any resources devoted to their actual
implementation or management. The intent is good, but the result is usually bureaucracy,
hurdles, frustration, and seeming economic loss for businesses. So what if it didn’t have to be one or the
other? What if the Environment and the
Economy could make up and live in harmony?
Or, what if sustaining the environment was actually a vital component to
a successful business model? What if
practicing good environmental leadership was a money maker instead of an
obstacle? Maybe if we could get beyond
the rhetoric, we would be able to see that it can be this way (or that it
always has). Ray Anderson presents a
compelling case study in his 2009 TED talk about how he has not only made sustainability
work for his business, but that it is actually a logical business model. Take a minute to listen to what he has to say about this.
I've never thought about sustainability as being illogical, but I can see that framing it through a capitalism model may be the only way to get naysayers and opponents on board. Sustainable action CAN be profitable, but what if it isn't in some cases? How will we convince people to maintain sustainable companies if it costs them money?
ReplyDelete