A Proactive Approach to Reducing Greenhouse Gasses
If we have any hope of curbing the climate crisis, we cannot simply react to the environmental damage that is occurring. The only way we can avert a global climate catastrophe is to think about the future. Additionally, we must take a proactive approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
What does taking a proactive approach to reducing emissions mean?
Reducing greenhouse gasses means making fundamental and sustainable changes to how we manufacture products. Furthermore, it’s about how we operate businesses, and how we produce and consume energy. Carbon mitigation combined with carbon offsets is an excellent step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, it’s created by manufacturing processes and business operations. However, we must work toward a future in which greenhouse gas emissions are simply no longer a byproduct of manufacturing and operations. At least not to the extent they are today.
This future may feel a long way off. And it’s true: making big, fundamental, structural, and infrastructural changes takes time. However, a proactive approach means not just making plans for change in the future. In other words, it means starting the process of making those changes today.
So, how do we make this proactive approach a reality?
How do we start making these immediate changes that will lead to the larger changes we need? We have seen, time and time again, that government regulations and mandates alone do not drive this kind of proactive change. It’s time for a new approach.
This is where a mechanism like ICEMAN can make a huge impact. ICEMAN can harness the power of the forces of competitive advantage in the marketplace. Thus, it can help push companies and even entire industries to start making immediate changes to their products, processes, and operations. As individual companies and industries start to invest in greener ways of operating in order to remain competitive in the marketplace, it will in turn drive infrastructural changes. For example, if companies start moving their operations to locations where they can draw energy from greener electric grids (grids that produce electricity largely from renewable sources such as wind or water), it will drive cities and states to invest in renewable energy infrastructure in order to draw business. If we can nurture this positive feedback loop, a future is possible in which all energy comes from renewable sources.
Suppose we start taking a proactive approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions today. In that case, a world is possible in which we repair the damage done to the environment. Moreover, prevent future environmental damage from occurring. With a proactive approach, we can curb the climate crisis and make greenhouse gas emissions a relic of the past.
Learn more about what’s possible with a consumer-centric, competitive advantage-based solution to the climate crisis in my book, Decarbonize The World. Download your free chapter today!