Return on Sustainability: How Business Can Increase Profitability and Address Climate Change in an Uncertain Economy

Introduction

Like many of you, I had been hearing about climate change for years—and it was an issue that I cared about—but I didn’t really see how I could make a difference on such a massive global issue. Although I cared about the increasingly scary rate at which glaciers are melting and the impact this is having on biodiversity and island nations, I struggled to relate to this issue because it didn’t seem to impact my business or my day-to-day life.

My wife and I had already taken numerous actions to help, including buying a hybrid car, eating organic and local food, and buying environmentally friendly products. At work I was trying to make as much change as possible, but I felt like none of this was really going to make a significant difference ...