by Britton Jones, CEO of The Nest Summit Campus, Chairman of The Board at Food Rescue US, and Member of NYC & Company's Sustainability Committee
I increasingly encounter people deeply concerned about climate change. Many read the headlines about the pending disastrous consequences of inaction and experience the realities of climate change in our world today… Record droughts, flooding, food scarcity, hurricanes, tornadoes, and forest fires. The result is that most people feel helpless in fighting such monumental challenges. They want to do something but wonder how they can have a meaningful impact. In the face of this existential threat, they feel small, insignificant, depressed, cowed, and quite frankly, screwed. It is time to cast these feelings aside and take action.
The fact is that no single individual, organization, or country will solve the climate crisis alone. Instead, it will require collaboration and collective action on a scale the world has never seen. So, what types of action should we take? Certainly, we should all be embracing the relatively minor changes we can make in our daily lives. Reduce single-use plastics. Buy EVs. Carpool or use more mass transportation. Reduce use of electricity wherever possible. Switch to renewable energy. Reduce water consumption. Eat more plant-based foods and eliminate as much food waste as possible.
However, the most impactful changes will require us to shift our thinking...
Understanding that every time we purchase a product or service, we have an opportunity to be a part of the climate solution. With every dollar we spend or invest, we can contribute to supporting the efforts of companies and organizations that are actively committed to protecting the planet. When we express a brand preference for companies taking climate action, we are fostering more of the same and adding to the demand and momentum for environmental responsibility.
The flow of our dollars and capital will truly accelerate the pace of climate action. Thankfully, through financial markets, innovative companies, and NGOs, visibility into companies' sustainability programs is growing dramatically. This transparency plays a critical part in mobilizing climate action. Moreover, with some research, we can be much more informed about the environmental impact of the companies we choose to do business with.
Putting environmental impact at the forefront of our everyday purchase decisions will create tremendous demand and scale for more responsible sourcing and production around the globe. When it becomes abundantly clear that "green" business drives the bottom line, large-scale climate action will accelerate, and that's the critically important role we can play in promoting widespread adoption and further creation of climate solutions.
Mobilizing climate action is the sole focus of The Nest Summit Campus, a unique, solutions-based event and official event partner of Climate Week NYC. If you want to learn more about how you and your company can collaborate and become a part of the climate solution, please join us at the Campus from September 21 -22 at the Javits Center.
Because the climate crisis is an all-hands-on-deck situation, attendance is complimentary. However, seating is limited so reserve yours today. Click here to register.
