This winter has been particularly cold and humid. Historic rainfall, Cachuma Lake rising at a pace of a foot per hour, the height of recent bomb cyclone storms, and devastating flooding in nearby communities of Los Osos, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara – all of this has taken place over the last year. is a dramatic change from the summer of We experienced record temperatures in the triple digits.
These extreme temperatures and erratic weather patterns have become the new normal for many communities. As of this writing, 31 of California’s 58 counties have been declared major disaster areas by the US Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Now more than ever, business leaders must consider the environmental impact of their choices.
Ultimate economics alone is not enough if we do not take into account the externalized costs to the environment and to the health and well-being of our communities. Health and environment are closely related.
In fact, declining health is one of the greatest threats to economic productivity. As the World Bank reported in its article Health, Wealth and Well-Being, a healthy workforce enhances human potential and maximizes economic productivity. More simply, a healthy environment means healthy workers, and both are better for business.
Consider your environment at the forefront of your business decisions. This could be things like allowing staff to work remotely and reducing your overall carbon footprint, moving away from printed forms and going digital, or creating incentives to encourage alternative modes of transportation. I can see it.
You can also educate future generations. An important experience in my youth was attending Rancho’s Alegre’s Outdoors’ School. Excavating exposed shale fossils has allowed us to see the interrelationships of the past, present and future. Hiking through landscapes of wormwood and soft chaparral heightened my appreciation for nature. We are more likely to cherish and protect what we feel connected to. Cultivating a connection with nature is essential in educating his future business leaders.
We can also take the lead in environmental initiatives today. Today, the California Green Business Network is offering an incentive program to businesses that achieve green business certification in advance of Earth Day with a campaign called “Sustainable Business Challenge.” Interested companies can learn more at the link https://bit.ly/earthday23.
The decisions we make today shape both the immediate and distant future. Referencing past events and moving forward wisely protects the future for the next generation. we are here for business. You can no longer do business without considering your environmental impact.
Support outdoor education by donating to the Rancho Alegre Outdoor School. The camp he suffered devastating losses in the 2017 Whittier fire and is still being rebuilt. The program needs significant funding before it can reopen. You can make a donation to help rebuild Camp Rancho Alegre and its outdoor school by visiting https://campranchoalegre.com/get-involved/.
If you or your school would like to tour camp, please contact Camp Director Glenn Goddard at 562-760-0256.