What qualifies you to have an opinion on sustainability - 7990 possible points

10 points if you work in the sustainability industry


10 points if you have read 3 books on climate change

20 points if you have read 2 books that are skeptical on environmentalism

20 points if you know at least 3 people working in “green” jobs

40 points if you have attended a summit on climate change

40 points if you have attended at least 5 lectures delivered by a university on sustainability

50 points if you can list 3 websites with sustainability focus

50 points if you have personally reviewed a LEED certification project

75 points if you regularly discuss sustainability with other sustainability professionals

75 points if you belong to 10 or more sustainability groups

100 points if you have reviewed the Kyoto accord

100 points if you get daily news from prominent sustainability feeds

200 points if you can list 5 leading scientists on climate change

200 points if you can articulate the message of 5 or more sustainability documentaries

500 points if you have a degree in social science

500 points if you have written a paper for a University regarding sustainability

1000 points if you have a degree in environmentalism

1000 points if you are active in a community sustainability project

2000 points if you have worked with at least 3 large enterprises on their sustainability projects

2000 points if you have helped a business improve its profitability by at least 5% via sustainability

10 signs you may be a sustainabiliy geek

You’ve learnt that when you take care of things you get rewarded – a lot.


You’d like to take shoes into the cobbler mostly to see how his family is coming along.

You think reupholstering your sofa is like seeing a old friend with a new hair cut that looks great.

You think that a community garden is a great place to meet new friends

You would rather talk about locally grown food than what was on TV last night

You like transit because you can people watch instead of bumper watch

You’ve seen what happens to people that don’t walk enough and it scares you

You like less because it means more time for you

You don’t understand the concept of garbage

You go to see your doctor yearly because there’s nothing wrong but want to make sure

How to Fix America

visit http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/video/first-look-how-to-fix-america/5846/ to post your idea.  Here is what I wrote there:

One way that I would fix America is to put more focus on sustainability.   “An early study into how companies are coping with the financial crisis by A.T. Kearney showed that companies focused on sustainability outperformed their peers by 15%.” - http://www.theicpm.com/blogs/non-specific-pm-topics/3257  What America really needs is a rally point.  Something to be proud of again.  In the past America has been great at so many things so being the most Sustainable country in the world is what should be central now because everyone can participate.  No policy or hand out will do. We must capture the hearts and minds of every American around all that is good.  The best way to fix American is to provide something to fight for and believe in that impacts the health and welfare of each and every American.  It is through belief that battles are won and success is achieved.  There is proof now that companies perform better when they focus on sustainability.   So why not apply that nationally? Hope is the way to fix America.  Hope that Americans can gain life liberty and the pursuit of happiness by fighting to keep American “green” and raise the bar for the rest of the world that America is the greenest and most sustainable country in the world.  The challenge is what everyone needs, not a hand-out or voucher or subsidy.  Are you ready to improve by 15%?

The future of sustainability is a game

The future of sustainability is a game.  I tripped across a prominent vendor’s ad for a sustainability game -  that has real world implications.  The game is so cool and fantastic that I don’t even want to tell you which company has put it out because they are kind of a competitor to me.  Still I was drawn into the format and realized that it is the future of sustainability and maybe all business reporting and analytics, - OK not maybe....  My mind went racing ahead to a time of global online interaction where the success and consequences of decisions and actions are visually reflected.  It all seems so natural and normal and scalable – and immediately usable.  In fact, back in 2000 I was laughed out of an elevator at another larger Enterprise - that I won’t name -  for saying that the future of  business software was in gaming.   Vindication is so sweet sometimes.  Nonetheless, the sustainability game is here and right on the heels of a massive generation raised on sophisticated online gaming.  This sort of approach to mixing gaming with real world implications is long overdue and I believe it is the “game changer” and “blue Ocean” that will lead us into the next millennium of planetary management and business reporting and analytics.  Though I am not part of the organization that produced the sustainability game I have to acknowledge it as a real winner.   For all you out there that have played SimCity – it is like that and here now to help us actually manage the planet.  The only review I have to search for now is how the foundations of the data – inputs, implementation and beyond actually measure up.  The concept is great – I just hope when the rubber hits the road – so to speak – that this works – it just seems so easy and fun.  Easy and Fun is what we need  now as we face down the doom and gloom of climate change and the like. I find it especially fantastic that TRON is re-released this weekend.  Wow, I am actually a geek…..how did that happen?

The Underground Forest

Among the oldest living things in the world is the Underground Forest  located in Pretoria, South Africa – 13000 years Old.  Just When I think I’ve seen it all this one caught my eye and freshly amazed me.  This forest actually relocated itself under ground to survive the fires of the area. Only it’s leaves show on the ground.  This way when a fire blazes by its just like if you or I burnt our hair.  The adaptation on this level is breathtaking and awe inspiring.  It also shows us to what lengths we may have to go to be sustainable ourselves.  Radical change may be the only way to survive.  Perhaps instead of our focus on the three “R”’s we should be dreaming up our new future and then perhaps we can survive like this forest did.

The last kilometer - sustainability

Admittedly it’s known as “the last mile” but I’m Canadian so there you go.  I like this phrase because it holds so much promise – You’re almost there - finally we can realize the full potential – or at last… it’s over.  What happens when we apply this phrase to sustainability?  I think it would fit into the final chapter of companies finding the opportunities and resolving the risks across the silos’ of organization that touch all that is social, environmental and ecological.    So what does that look like?  For the most part this is the reorganization  and consolidation of data sitting out there in minds, spreadsheets, data bases and email.  All of which has not been safely assembled for intelligent discovery because running sustainability data on an excel spread  sheet is messy and not – well – sustainable.  Sustainability on Excel puts an organization closer to green washing than any audit team should be happy with.   So what is the last kilometer regarding sustainability? The answer is  adoption of professional reporting and analytics solutions that are rated by prominent ranking agencies.  Check out the Enterprise Carbon Accounting  report from Groom Energy.  It rates the top providers any discerning organization should pick from to make it across the finish line and win the prize.  That’s the last kilometer.

Last minute sustainability gift Ideas

Searching for something to get that hard to find gift for? Why not a “green” Christmas decoration. Or for those of you more PC – a “green” holiday decoration. A decoration gift will bring fond memories of you year after year. There are so many out there so why not get something from the sustainability shelf – to differentiate your gift and give it historical reference. Nothing says I love you - and the planet more than that. Here is an excerpt from http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/25/sustainable-christmas-tree-decorations.html


• Stay away from tinsel and disposable ornaments to cut down on waste.

• Make your own decorations. Your best bet is to choose projects that allow you to use items you already own so you don't have to buy anything.

• When shopping for ornaments, buy the best quality that you afford, take good care of them, and pass them down to your kids.

• There are also several ornaments that make sustainability claims. Look for those that are made from reused, recycled, or reclaimed materials, or are Fair Trade Certified. Some more options worth checking out: Tin Can Angels, Everest Ornament, and Circuitboard Tree Ornament. WorldofGoods.com by eBay has hundreds to choose from.

• Buy vintage or, better yet, ask your grandmother to pass along ornaments she's no longer using.

Happy gift giving!

When Santa Turned Green

Definitely the best green Christmas present for your little ones is the book – “When Santa Turned Green” – by Victoria Perla.   Since so many adults don’t get the message I think this type of indoctrination is a good thing.  If you visit the website they also recommend toys that are eco friendly to help live the message all year long.  I knew I should have gotten into soy production…  I hope this book will find it’s way under “green” trees everywhere and sponsor a whole new generation that has stewardship as part of  its DNA.  I for one am going to retire my red Santa suite for a green one which should make me cool and maybe more recognizable to kids everywhere.  I wonder if there are any progressive malls out there sporting a green Santa.  If anyone has any other green kids book suggestions please post them here.  It’s up to us to make the change and starting with our kids is a good place if not anywhere else.    Find the book at: http://www.mygreensanta.com/about

The cost of agreement

The debate over climate change has been raging for some time now.  Has anyone considered the actual  spent to date on meetings, reports and the like?  Considering that the electorate of the Fraser Valley in BC, Canada has calculated their spend of $100k on just one issue around a garbage incinerator we’ve got to be in the trillions globally by now for the overall climate change discussion.  I guess we could start with the actual summits held annually around the world.  By the way, I’d love to know the stats on all three scope emissions just to fly climate leaders around.  What’s your guess on what we’ve collectively spent?  Have we gotten anywhere with our investment?  Maybe we need to focus more around enablement rather than gaining agreement.  Like how to get software for sustainability reporting and analytics.   What’s the money really going to?  Are we just spending the most of it on convincing the masses of the problem – does anyone have an analysis or pie chart of where all the money has gone – or how much we’ve spent and what we’ve achieved for it?   As usual when all is said and done a lot more is said than done.

EPA fines or software?

Tacoma-based Pacific Functional Fluids fined over $21k for failing to report.  The EPA states that: “According to documents, the company failed to file inventory forms, as required by law, with state and local emergency response entities.”   I don’t get how this could happen.  Did they just forget?  Maybe for them $21k is not a lot of money or maybe if they submitted the information it would hurt them more than $21K.  Maybe the company just needs better reporting software.  I wonder if they now have that on their radar or even know that they may have been able to save money and time through reporting and analytics soluiton.  Good job there are so many options out there to help them.  It would be so cool if along with fines they would have to install reporting software that with audit features.  Hey – how about instead of a fine they just have to install software and provide transparency to the agencies that require it for a few years.  Now - that is calling a corporation into environmental responsibility.   Also, it would create jobs and stimulate the economy.  Not to mention bring positive attention to the company and – well – may make them better at what they do thereby impressing their stakeholders and impacting their valuation.  It seems everyone could win over a software play versus just a fine.

Shortage of GHG Professionals

Tilde Herrara posted an article today called: “The current shortage of GHG professionals likely to get worse”.  It is a great article backed up by survey and research that should inform the up and coming workforce where to put their focus.  The field is not a fade and will not diminish – that is unless the law of supply and demand can be broken – more people putting demand on limited resources – namely the planet.  We are creatures that have rule over the planet – rule as in “ruler – as in “measurement”.  What gets measured gets managed.  It is time to mature collectively and become responsible, just as we all need to become fiscally responsible or face an uncertain future.   It is will take some discipline but in time it wil become routine which will give way to custom and then tradition.   Where attention goes energy flows and so we enter into the morning of earth, air and water -  as value points that pay salaries and raise families.  The shortage in these roles is testament that our values have shifted and our investment has been made.  Now, we just have to continue the focus and celebrate the rewards.  Thank you Tilde for a great article! - http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/12/06/current-shortage-ghg-professionals-likely-get-worse

Extreme weather and Atheism

I heard a news brief this morning on the rise of extreme weather and then saw an article in the Metro Newspaper that an Atheist ad was approved for the sides of buses.  I immediately thought of the flood story in Genesis and the meaning of boundaries.  I get that we like to press boundaries – heck it’s kind of fun some times.  There are a great many out there that have hear me say “hey you’all – watch this!”.  My point is that some boundaries are meant for pressing and some we really need – like the boundaries between land and sea.  My recollection of Genesis Flood story is of a population gone wild with loosened boundaries.  The great “I AM” than replies with a removal of boundaries – namely the shoreline.  So here we are pressing our boundaries again.  How does Atheism help that?   You’d better hope that bus floats. I kind of like the stories of old – they help us remember that boundaries are – well – a good thing.  Maybe belief in a higher power could help us maintain those boundaries. 

Get lean on stuff not people

The old statement that money makes the world go round has it’s place but with so many lights shining on decision makers a good many people can pass judgment quickly and limit a career or opportunity very fast.  Thanks to twitter and the array of social media our thinking is on each other.  I can’t remember who said it first but a company’s best assets leave each day to go home – namely – it’s people.   Any time a company decides to get rid of people they are more likely to be scrutinized – we become so aware of how many ways an organization can get lean on stuff before they get lean on people.  I agree with Andrew Winston’s blog on this subject and handy reference to the book Green to Gold.   Further to that software that deals with eco efficiency is now mainstream large enterprise thinking.  We have started to think of the environment in term of financial information.  Maybe it’s the last mile of the like of “lean manufacturing” and more.  I’ll look forward to more stories abounding of how environmental focus has saved companies money – or better yet made them money.   If a company is struggling out there their best bet is to get lean on stuff before they get lean on people.

Top 10 books on Sustainability

1) The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals - by Michael Pollan


2) Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life (P.S.) - by Barbara Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, Steven L. Hopp


3) Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things - by William McDonough, Michael Braungart


4) Thinking in Systems: A Primer - by Donella H. Meadows


5) When Technology Fails (Revised & Expanded): A Manual for Self-Reliance, Susta... - by Matthew Stein


6) The Post Carbon Reader: Managing the 21st Century's Sustainability Crises


7) Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution - by Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, L. Hunter Lovins


8) The Vegetarian Myth: Food, Justice, and Sustainability - by Lierre Keith


9) Good Meat: The Complete Guide to Sourcing and Cooking Sustainable Meat - by Deborah Krasner


10) Material World: A Global Family Portrait - by Peter Menzel, Charles C. Mann