The Real Lessons from Hurricane Katrina

When it comes to Global Warming, we can take a real lesson from Hurricane Katrina. While some may chose to debate whether the storm was caused by climate changes, if the army corps of engineers flood controls compromised the Mississippi River, if the storm was an act of God, nature or due to man's interference - the facts remain the same. They are:

1. Below-sea level portions of New Orleans were inundated, just as people had warned for decades.
2. There is a continued liklihood that storms of the same or greater strength will be generated each year.
3. There is a probability that another storm will hit New Orleans again.
4. Four days warning was not enough to evacuate the city properly.
5. Four days warning is not enough time to build adequate levees.

Therefore, whatever is done to replace them must be adequate to the task, and an evacuation plan must be developed.

Depending on what you read, scientists either all agree that global warming is caused by man, or caused by nature. It is either a natural cycle, or one that we have accelerated. This finger-pointing may signal the politization of the debate, but does not do anything to address the basic facts:

1. The climate is changing.
2. Man must adapt to the changing climate.
3. Absent an evacuation strategy, we must do what we can to maintain a livable climate on earth, with adequate food and water for the billions of people who call this planet home.

We can stop looking for who to blame for the problem. We must admit that it is here and shift our focus onto solutions. The debate should focus on the respective roles of business, government and private citizens. Because no matter the cause, we have to figure out what we are going to do.

Networking Event - Feb. 22 - FREE

The Washington DC Sustainable Business Network (DCSBN) is pleased to announce its next event, February 22, at Topaz Hotel from 6:30pm - 9:00pm.

Network with other business and community leaders and learn how to make your business more successful while also helping to build a more socially, environmentally and financially sustainable local economy!

Since its launch a short time ago, the DCSBN has become a recognized leader in the region for providing targeted services and providing practical programs that create measurable business and social value.

DCSBN helps area businesses achieve lasting success through social, environmental and financial sustainability.

Overview of What DCSBN Offers:

• Help integrating environmental & social responsibility into business operations and strategy Access to resources – at below market rates – to help improve your bottom line and the health of the community
  
• Tools, resources and services to strengthen your business and positively impact the local community
  
• Positive public relations
  
• Sustainability-driven innovations that help you tap new business opportunities
  
• Promotion opportunities through our network
  
• Discounts to our regular events, including high-profile events like our annual Symposium, quarterly Business for a Better World Speaker Series and CR toolkit events.
  
• Job postings and advertising opportunities through our website

Come join us at Topaz Hotel -- conveniently located just a few blocks SE of the Dupont Metro stop -- to network with business and community leaders and learn how you can help make the local economy more socially, environmentally and financially sustainable, while helping your bottom line!

Cost: FREE!

Register here.

CEOs Urge Bush to Limit Greenhouse Gas Emissions

On the eve of the State of the Union address, the chief executives of 10 major corporations are urging President Bush to embrace mandatory ceilings on U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in order to stem climate change.

The CEOs support a system that would cap greenhouse gas emissions, give allocations to companies based on past emissions and allow firms to trade allocations to meet gradually declining emission targets. The system, similar to one being used in Europe, would have far-reaching implications for utility rates, power plant construction, energy efficiency and American automobiles.

The executives' plan would slow the growth in greenhouse gases over the next five years, then reverse that growth and cut annual emissions by 70 percent to 90 percent of today's levels in 15 years.

Jeffrey Immelt, chairman of General Electric, pointing to initiatives in California and a group of Northeastern states, said "this is happening already." In addition to Immelt and Sterba, the group included the chief executives of Lehman Brothers Holdings, PG&E, Alcoa, Caterpillar, BP America, Duke Energy, DuPont and FPL Group.

DCSBN Responds to Anti-CSR Letter in the Wall Street Journal

The original letter:

Social Responsibility Isn't CEOs' Business
Your Jan. 16 editorial "Beyond PR at BP" was correct to call attention to the folly of BP's Beyond Petroleum advertising campaign that distracted management from its core business responsibility: finding, drilling and processing oil in a safe and efficient
manner. However, the editorial failed to recognize BP's public relations effort
as part of the larger corporate social responsibility (CSR) movement that plagues big business. CEOs are under pressure to expand their companies' responsibilities beyond making money for its shareholders.

BP's CSR detour was a disaster for its shareholders, workers, the environment and Lord Browne himself. BP's CSR experience illustrates that like oil and water, CSR and business profitability don't mix.
Tom Borelli, Ph.D.
Free Enterprise Action Fund
Eastchester, N.Y.

DCSBN's Response (submitted for publication on January 18, 2007):

Dr. Borelli makes a common but false assumption that social responsibility is not in the shareholder's best interest when he writes 'Social Responsibility Isn't CEOs' Business' (January 18, 2007).

The business of business is business, as Milton Friedman famously said. Holding BP in contempt for pursuing alternative energy sources fails to recognize that any energy company that plans to be in business - and hence be around to provide a return to its shareholders over the long term - must accept the challenge of meeting the energy needs of the future. If the corporate scandals at Enron, Worldcom,
etc. have demonstrated nothing else, they have shown the folly of measuring success only on the basis of quarterly stock performance. I am sure that many investors, (not to mention former employees and customers of those companies) would have preferred management had taken a more responsible approach. And that is the CEO's responsibility and duty.

John FriedmanWashington DC Sustainable Business
Networkemail: JohnF@dcsbn.org

Implementing Solutions to Climate Crises

On February 4th & 5th, 2007, on the George Washington University Foggy Bottom Campus, a number of committed organizations are co-sponsoring an action-conference on "Implementing Solutions to Climate Crises."

Join us in advancing practical climate-related solutions that can be implemented by businesses, governments, NGOs, communities, and consumer/citizens.

The debate is over about whether climate change exists. Now the relevant question is: how can we limit climate threats and enhance our opportunities for climate sustainability?

Join us at our action-conference at GW next month to advance and implement real climate solutions!

DCSBN Member Meeting 2007

The first annual DCSBN membership meeting ( a requirement for all DC-based not-for-profit organizations) was held at the Hotel Helix on December 6, 2006. The board presented a summary of accomplishments to date as well as engaged in a discussion around many ideas proposed for 2007. Members-and interested guests-provided feedback on each of the following:

1. DCSBN's Corporate Responsibility Symposium - to be held June 8, 2007 at George Washington University featuring sessions on 'The Business Case for Corporate responsibility', 'The Redevelopment Plans for Washington DC' and how to leverage global efforts to benefit the 'capital of capitalism.'
2. A sustainable cuisine series of meals and tours at local socially-responsible restaurants and eateries.
3. Identifying and recognizing businesses in the National Capital area that are committed to sustainability and integrating it into their business models through the creation of a directory, recognition program (plaques for display in their establishments) and CR awards of some kind.
4. The Building A Better World Speakers Series that brings prominent authors and speakers on sustainability to Washington DC.
5. Membership benefits such as working with clean energy and consulting organizations that are offering their services to DCSBN members at a reduced rates.
6. Offering pracitcal tools and programs that help build better businesses and stronger communities.
7. Learning and networking opportunities throughout the year, including efforts to advance as well as promote the sustainability agenda in Washington DC.

DCSBN will be engaging with members and those who attended further as we finalize our plans for 2007. Comments can also be submitted here, on this blog, or to dcsbn@dcsbn.org

Business Taking The Lead on Global Warming

Businesses must respond to public perception, rather than political or even scientific realities. So it is not surprsing that while the Senate hearing on 'Climate Change and the Media' was marked by political accusations of misrepresentation and scientific co-option, Daniel Schrag, a Harvard scientist, pointed out that the best evidence that climate change is a real threat is that many businesses and the insurance industry are taking it seriously.