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February 5, 2008

8:32 am | 2 recommendations | 2 comments

Of Comets and Carbon

| posted by Terry Tamminen

What do the horseless carriage, the iPod, and global warming have in
common? Once thought fads or fantasy, it turns out that all three are
here to stay.

It also turns out that each is more connected to the other than is
apparent at first glance, especially when viewed through the lens of
21st century business. In the coming weeks, this blog will take readers
on a journey of connecting the dots, from emerging technologies to
evolving environmental ethics. I’ll share some insights as I travel the
world - - working with inventors, investors, and political visionaries
- - offering provocative and profitable ways to shape the future of our
planet and our economies.

Corporate social responsibility (“CSR”), especially when it comes to
the environment, offers that rare intersection of doing well and doing
good at the same time. But environmental CSR (call it “e-CSR”) will be
defined in new ways, even with a new language. Growing concern (and
regulation) of greenhouse gases, for example, will result in a trillion
dollar carbon market within a decade, creating a new global currency
that anyone can trade for a profit.

Climate change will collide with dwindling natural resources to
democratize the energy that powers our economies, redefining the haves
and have-nots almost overnight. Think about it - - oil, uranium, even
coal are in short supply and are controlled by the few, while the sun,
wind, moving water, and things that grow are available, unfettered , to
every human being on earth. Helping people master the technologies that
convert those resources to something useful will fundamentally change
our economic and political landscapes, like heat and pressure turn
carbon into diamonds (hmmm...that has a familiar ring!). e-CSR at its
best - - what’s good for the environment and its people is also very
good for the bottom line.

On his last day in office, British Prime Minister Tony Blair told me
that only the most sustainable businesses will survive and thrive in
the 21st century. They will define our future on this planet. We’ve got
a comet by the tail, so let’s use this blog to understand and enjoy the
ride.

Terry Tamminen • terry.tamminen@gmail.com • www.terrytamminen.com • www.pegasusinvestors.com

Tags: Social Responsibility
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Comments | 2

February 19, 2008 at 8:54pm

Dennis Sayer

Environmental - Corporate Social Responsibility? Not unless they have to. We must have environmental laws and an agency with a strong enforcement arm willing to back the laws up. Generally speaking, businesses will do what is required by law and then make it look like they did it because they wanted to.

I do not fully understand the carbon market. Could it be abused to the point that making carbon could increase someone’s wealth?

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February 10, 2008 at 2:25pm

Subhashish Acharya

Terry ,
Thank you for the post.

First, let me recommend you for thinking out of the box.What you have cited has a huge value in the days to come, and due to the very nature of businesses and economies today ,there will definitely be a paradigm shift from ones happening today.

Terry , I also would like to add that , most companies in the world suffer from something called an Executable Vision problem. let me define that a bit.

While speaking to a couple of honchos in the Financial Services vertical I find that people have myopic vision to strategy. Thanks to the Wall street people who only think profit IS the main motto. Given such a world in place , where business only think 3 to 6 months down the lane , people are bogged down under the Thick of thin things.

Very few think of Sustainable initiatives. Had that happened, why is there so much recession around? Why is just a bunch of profit making statistics enough to define the indices of growth?

The point is, many understand sustainability. But few know how to EXECUTE to create sustainability. Thats what i define as an Executable Vision problem.

The result is : everyone knows its important , but no one wants to address it because it takes investment , time and responsibility.

The key word is responsibility , because sustainability is built on faith and leadership. With CEOs roles becoming so transitory and ephimeral , there is a need to develop a new breed of professionals to guide them to a better practice and a better opportunity. My Gut says ; no ones propounded them about the opportunities in the world to come , should one take up sustainability as a Motto. Education and supplemented vision will make a huge difference.

What are your thoughts on them?
Pls suggest.

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