However, we still have a long way to go. I have trouble seeing how we can wean ourselves off non-renewable resource extract (particularly energy) at our current rate of consumption and growth. Although large amounts of solar energy strikes the Earth, it is intriguing that only a small fraction is captured through photosynthesis for either immediate use or conversion to biomass. Our energy usage is a sizable fraction of this entire global primary energy conversion.

Although there may be many reasons why photosynthesis is not capturing more solar radiation, it is possible that there are systemic limits in nature that selects against extravagant energy usage. Julian Vincent’s research on technical vs. biological solution pathways (summarized in “Is traditional engineering the right system with which to manipulate our world?”, http://www.scienceinschool.org/2007/issue4/biomimetics) shows the extent of the challenge we face to truly act like other species.

Point One – Education Needed For Employees

A recent study, the 2008 Corporate Sustainability Employee Study by Fresh Marketing shows that 90% of employees don’t feel completely prepared to help their firms move toward sustainability. As employees, we need education and need to feel empowered to search for solutions that work for our firms.

We need to understand REACH, WEEE, carbon calculations and other key terms related to sustainability in order to factor them into our jobs.

We need to learn from what sustainability champions and leaders are doing. As employees know how to cost-cut or produce quality goods – inherent in the way we support our companies – we, employees need to bring sustainability into focus.

If you are in travel – you need to look for hotels that participate in green practices, if you are in finance, you need to start keeping track of the cost of carbon, if you produce products, you need to understand REACH.

We, as employees, can find ways to ride share, recycle, reduce bottled water consumption and other simple ways to get into action. Steps can be taken on small scales to get started – get moving more of us moving in the right direction. And, firms can help to stimulate more action by providing us with education and incentives.

Point Two: Connect To Engaged Youth

Young professionals, college students and our youth understand that we need to radically change our social and environmental behaviors. We as business leaders need to listen to them more – they are smart, connected and concerned.

StartingBloc, JustMeans, Net Impact, Climate Counts (and more) have great insights on what businesses need to do to get moving in the right direction. We need to build bridges to engage these groups and include their enthusiasm and innovative ideas into our businesses. I hear too often that they are idealistic and don’t understand the business case – rather than discount them as naive, we can tap their smarts and desire for innovative solutions, including them in our process to transform our business operations.

Change – transformation is not easy – but together – with smarts, compassion and will – we can work together and I believe we can solve the greatest challenges facing our world.

Thanks for listening!
Shari Aaron