Well, 2013 is quickly coming to an end. What a year it has been! I believe this is the year that climate change has finally become accepted as real and critical by the majority of Americans. I see the polls and feel the buzz speaking to business and to everyday people. We are still recovering from SuperStorm Sandy, and people have figured out that more frequent storms can impact a family or a business forever. That’s why Climate Change & Environmental Services has been studying and is up to speed on disaster preparedness and resiliency. While there is no certification in the area, we have been studying what has been done successfully by others, and offer this as a new service. Given the inherent risks of disasters, it is important for your business and buildings to be prepared to reduce those risks. This is a real existential, as well as a business decision.

I believe that we have turned the corner; a lot of people are looking at climate change and sustainability differently now. Before, all the talk about climate change was that we should address these issues for the sake of our children and our planet; to be altruistic. Well, those arguments never resonated with most Americans. In fact, I saw business leaders back away from addressing sustainability when the Great Recession hit 5 years ago. Even though the business benefits of addressing climate change have been well documented, when a company is worried about survival, this becomes less important.

But I sense this is behind us now because of a combination of a recovery (tepid as it is) and Sandy, Haiyan, and other disasters. Climate change and sustainability are being re-framed as issues. Improving the air we breathe and making efforts to reduce energy we use and greenhouse gas emissions we emit is not altruism; it is an act of self-interest. We are spending billions of dollars recovering from disasters (there are still economic impacts from Katrina). Reducing the frequency of future storms is literally in our short-term self-interest. Actions addressing climate change will directly save people’s lives and help everyone prosper; it is not only for the planet. Climate change is no longer a “tomorrow” issue; but is truly a “today” issue. We need to re-frame the understanding.

Sustainability can be framed in another way, too. Not as a tomorrow or a today issue, but part of our historical progress. I recently came across a series of interesting quotes:

“The situation is dire. The horse is absolutely essential for the functioning of our cities – for transportation, freight, mechanical power. Without horses, our cities would literally starve. However, the accumulating stench from their filth is intolerable. Horses are an economic burden, an affront to cleanliness, and a terrible tax upon human life”.

What does this refer to? This is a synthesis of quotes about life in Manhattan around 1900. What would happen if you took these quotes and substituted “fossil fuels” for “horse”? Do it; think about it. Perhaps with the exception of the word “stench”, this paragraph still fits in well in today’s world. The world still depends on fossil fuels for transportation, mechanical power, comfort, etc. Without it, our society would certainly not function nearly as well as it does. But the “filth” (in terms of the high emission rates of air toxics and of greenhouse gases) from fossil fuels means we pay a high price for comfort and functionality. The high price also includes wars, accidents, loss of life from getting access to oil or coal, and taxes and high prices we continue to pay for its use.

Therefore, the challenge is – like it was in the era of horses: can we switch to a different source of power which is just as reliable and available to the public, but is less filthy, less expensive, and has fewer adverse impacts on us? That’s really what sustainability is all about; leading our normal lives without using up or damaging our resources; using up our resources more intelligently. Therefore, I would like to redefine climate change and sustainability in another way. This is not only now challenges, but opportunities for us as a society to improve our lives and allow companies to function better for lower costs and with reduced risk. Sustainability is really a movement of historic opportunity. Just as societies grabbed on to fossil fuels as an advance from horses, these new technologies represent the next generation of opportunity to do better and cleaner. I have seen personally companies moving toward a sustainable future achieving great direct financial benefits, between cost savings, improved morale and productivity, and greater reliability. I can’t guarantee results, but I can tell you that sustainability and addressing climate change are true opportunities for your business – to grow, to move forward, and to prosper.

People and business leaders in 2013 began to realize that this is part of a historical progression of using new strategies and technologies to do better and more cleaner and efficiently. Let’s not blow the opportunity. To better ourselves as individuals and our companies for so many financial and societal benefits for us all.

So, I hope in 2014 that you will join the bandwagon to move yourselves and your companies away from old approaches and toward a sustainable future to gain a competitive edge, reduce risk, save money, raise morale, and be more efficient. Now, aren’t these things good for you and your businesses’ self-interest right now? Have a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year!

We hope that CCES can help you in the “ride” to a smarter, more prosperous and sustainable future in 2014. Moving toward sustainability will achieve greater goals if done right. We have worked with a wide variety of big and small companies to assist in making this happen. Our experts can help develop smart, organized, successful energy efficiency programs that will result in significant economic gains and business benefits at the pace you’re comfortable with. See our website for actual case studies – real companies that we have helped prosper and become more competitive. Contact us now at 914-584-6720 or at karell@CCESworld.com to see what we can do for you in 2014.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time to read this e-newsletter this year. I hope it provided you useful information as a professional and for your job. Have a peaceful and happy Holiday Season and a successful and prosperous 2014!