Woodsy Owl got it right when he said, “Give a hoot; don't pollute!” Am I dating myself by saying that?
Pollution, whether in the air, the water, or the land is something that we do not want. We can all agree on that. In essence, this is what sustainability or going green is all about.
The traditional definition of sustainability requires that we meet society's present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. I have children; I get that.
From a business perspective, the goal of sustainability is to increase long-term shareholder and social value, while decreasing industry's use of materials and reducing negative impacts on the environment. Herein lies the recognition of the need to support a growing economy while reducing the social and environmental costs of economic growth. Sustainable development reflects not the trade-off between business and the environment, but rather the synergy between them. *(Reference EPA http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/basicinfo.htm)
Over the course of the past year the Carlsbad Chamber's Sustainability Committee has had speakers and forums on a number of issues of the day, including energy, water, waste, pollution prevention, and community engagement. A subcommittee, the Green Certificate Task Force, accomplished an incredible goal of developing the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Green Business Certification Program. During 2009, the Sustainability Committee conducted meetings in a workshop format that focused on each of the categories of the Green Business Certification program.
The Green Business Certification Program is a voluntary program that helps Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce businesses to operate in a more sustainable manner, and recognizes them for their efforts. Regardless of what your business does, or how large or small, there is room for you within the program.
The Certification Checklist is designed to help in two ways. First, it gives businesses an idea of what they are currently doing to operate in a sustainable manner. Second, it gives businesses a roadmap with which to improve their practices.
Why become a Green Business? If you can become more resource efficient, work toward zero-waste, and reduce water and energy use, what else do you think you will reduce? You will reduce your bills, of course! And if you are able to see the big picture of sustainability , you will see that the success of your business, as well as your own health and happiness, are directly tied to the core concepts of sustainability.
A Green Business works to:
• Become resource efficient
• Reduce water and energy use
•
Reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost solid waste
• Eliminate toxic chemicals
• Minimize transportation impacts
• Make eco-purchasing choices
• Get involved in the community
In my business at Eco-Stream, I work with business and community leaders to go green and become more sustainable. In my practice, as a simple strategy outline for success, I suggest these steps:
• Start a Green Team
• Educate on the issues
• Benchmark what you are doing now
• Develop initiatives
• Track, review and improve
When Jay Klopfenstein, my co-chair and I developed our 2010 vision and goals for the Sustainability Committee, we included: engaging more members in task-force opportunities; engaging members of other committees on shared issues of sustainability; celebrating the eco-successes of member businesses; and last but not at all least, have fun!
Join us. The Committee welcomes new members, and meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7:30, 8:30 a.m. at the Chamber office. Committee chair Barbara Hamilton and Co-chair Jay Klopfenstein welcome any Chamber member to join or visit the committee.
If you would like more information on the Sustainability Committee and their role with the Chamber, contact Bev Jorgensen, the Chamber's Vice President of Corporate and Member Relations, at (760) 931-8400 or
[email protected].
Pollution, whether in the air, the water, or the land is something that we do not want. We can all agree on that. In essence, this is what sustainability or going green is all about.
The traditional definition of sustainability requires that we meet society's present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. I have children; I get that.
From a business perspective, the goal of sustainability is to increase long-term shareholder and social value, while decreasing industry's use of materials and reducing negative impacts on the environment. Herein lies the recognition of the need to support a growing economy while reducing the social and environmental costs of economic growth. Sustainable development reflects not the trade-off between business and the environment, but rather the synergy between them. *(Reference EPA http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/basicinfo.htm)
Over the course of the past year the Carlsbad Chamber's Sustainability Committee has had speakers and forums on a number of issues of the day, including energy, water, waste, pollution prevention, and community engagement. A subcommittee, the Green Certificate Task Force, accomplished an incredible goal of developing the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Green Business Certification Program. During 2009, the Sustainability Committee conducted meetings in a workshop format that focused on each of the categories of the Green Business Certification program.
The Green Business Certification Program is a voluntary program that helps Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce businesses to operate in a more sustainable manner, and recognizes them for their efforts. Regardless of what your business does, or how large or small, there is room for you within the program.
The Certification Checklist is designed to help in two ways. First, it gives businesses an idea of what they are currently doing to operate in a sustainable manner. Second, it gives businesses a roadmap with which to improve their practices.
Why become a Green Business? If you can become more resource efficient, work toward zero-waste, and reduce water and energy use, what else do you think you will reduce? You will reduce your bills, of course! And if you are able to see the big picture of sustainability , you will see that the success of your business, as well as your own health and happiness, are directly tied to the core concepts of sustainability.
A Green Business works to:
• Become resource efficient
• Reduce water and energy use
•
Reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost solid waste
• Eliminate toxic chemicals
• Minimize transportation impacts
• Make eco-purchasing choices
• Get involved in the community
In my business at Eco-Stream, I work with business and community leaders to go green and become more sustainable. In my practice, as a simple strategy outline for success, I suggest these steps:
• Start a Green Team
• Educate on the issues
• Benchmark what you are doing now
• Develop initiatives
• Track, review and improve
When Jay Klopfenstein, my co-chair and I developed our 2010 vision and goals for the Sustainability Committee, we included: engaging more members in task-force opportunities; engaging members of other committees on shared issues of sustainability; celebrating the eco-successes of member businesses; and last but not at all least, have fun!
Join us. The Committee welcomes new members, and meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7:30, 8:30 a.m. at the Chamber office. Committee chair Barbara Hamilton and Co-chair Jay Klopfenstein welcome any Chamber member to join or visit the committee.
If you would like more information on the Sustainability Committee and their role with the Chamber, contact Bev Jorgensen, the Chamber's Vice President of Corporate and Member Relations, at (760) 931-8400 or
[email protected].