More than I ever thought, businesses are serious about sustainability. And I’m not talking just small businesses – I’m talking about big corporations like Disney, ESPN, and Aspen Ski Company. I know this because I recently was at the 2010 Winter X Games in Aspen, seeing behind the scenes, meeting the people responsible for environmental projects, and generally witnessing first hand through observation and conversation how serious these companies are getting about environmental stewardship.
I journeyed to the X Games this year wearing two hats: I’m an Educator with ACE (Alliance for Climate Education) and also our new National Campaigns Manager. ACE was invited to bring our sweet climate change assembly and our new Do One Thing (DOT) campaign to Aspen to support some of ESPN’s environmental initiatives. This was an amazing experience for a number of reasons! It’s easier to illuminate the experience in video – so if you’re interested, check out a short clip of some of our live reporting last week:
Here’s the scoop on what the companies I mentioned at the start are doing to lower their carbon emissions and raise their voices for a future safe from climate change:
Aspen Ski Co has dedicated millions of dollars and countless staff hours to environmental conservation and protection initiatives and have more in the pipes. What’s more, they recently joined BICEP (Businesses for Innovate Climate and Energy Policies), to take their environmental initiatives to the next level. BICEP companies are getting serious about clearn-energy and climate lobbying and Aspen Ski Co joined because they know their business depends on a safe and predictable – not warming – climate. Aspen Ski Co knows that climate uncertainty means business uncertainty, so they are taking action.
Disney and ESPN have formed something called their “Environmentality Initiative,” which is a program to preserve environmental health, promote environmental sustainability, and raise awareness about responsible environmental stewardship. We hung out with Fabian DeGarbo, ESPN’s Senior Manager for Global Sustainability, for much of the weekend and got some inside information about all the efforts to minimize waste, conserve energy, and minimize the environmental footprint of the X-Games. They’re getting serious with composting, waste diversion, and saving tons of energy. They’re doing so much, I think they’re giving Bonaroo a run for their money!
My experience at the X Games taught me more than I thought it would. For one thing, Shaun White is a beast on the superpipe. More relevant to my line of work: businesses recognize that clean energy and environmental sustainability lie at the core of their success, now and in the future. I was thrilled to see three giant companies – that many of us admire and respect already – recognizing the threats and opportunities that our changing climate presents and bringing a bold plan for a cleaner, brighter future.
And friends in the movement – if I can share an idea that I’ve just come to realize, it’s this: businesses can be our allies in the fight against climate change – with the exception of perhaps the Chamber of Commerce and a few others. They’re influential, powerful, and self-interested. If we frame the conversation correctly, that what’s good for the planet (and human health) can be good for business, we’ll find some loud and powerful voices shouting on the behalf of fair, responsible, and just climate and environmental policy.
Make friends. Build consensus. Change the world.
The proof of this optimistic view of big corporations will have, as a litmus test, how they use their new gained political speech to push for politicians who can and will effect scientifically meaningful climate change legislation. Unless I missed something, when given a very free hand in the writing of ACES and CEJAP they appeared to be more focused on greed than green.
I don’t mean to be a spoilsport, but ski mountains are incredibly environmentally destructive. Entire mountains are clearcut for ski paths, snowmaking uses massive amounts of water and energy, chairlifts and all the other machines necessary use tons of energy; All this so that middle and upper class people can be entertained.
Matt – this is true. But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t allow people who have developed an enthusiasm for nature and the seasons to get involved in the climate change movement. There’s actually a whole organization based in the West that’s made up of ski and snowboard enthusiasts who care about the mountains and the environment. These winter sports are what have made them aware of the issues – and who knows, in the future they may even agree that the way ski mountains are used is wrong.
Matt – i believe you are being more than a spoilsport -but actually alienating a powerful segment of the population that we need to recruit to solve this problem. Yes, skiing does have a negative environmental impact. However, those who love skiing are some of the more environmentally conscious “mainstream” people. We need to outreach to them where they’re at.
Businesses can be our allies in the fight. We should be careful about how much power they have in our elections and our democracy by passing good laws that encourage good behavior. I’m talking about a price on carbon. That is how we will quickly shift our economy to a sustainable one – and if you ask me, the “middle and upper class people” have capital that can be invested right now to make that shift a reality.