Our planet is in trouble. This podcast asks: Is corporate social and environmental actions meaningful — or just empty gestures?
Recently I was asked to join a podcast with Professor Andrew Hoffman of the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, where we were asked this question:
Are corporate social and environmental actions meaningful — or just empty gestures?
The host was The Network For Business Sustainability (NBS.net) which is an incredible organization that explores all issues relating to enhancing the effectiveness of Sustainability Professionals.
From the NBS website:
NBS brought together two insightful people with different views to tackle this big question
Canadian Brad Zarnett, founder of the Toronto Sustainability Speaker Series (TSSS), has called corporate sustainability activity “a small fix from within a broken system.” Andy Hoffman, professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, sees companies moving in a more positive direction.
We asked Brad and Andy to make their cases for what companies have accomplished and where we need to go next. What role do companies have in saving the planet?
In the discussion, Andy and Brad address:
- How the market — our economic system — is stressing the planet
- How the role of government in shaping the market has weakened
- What impact can be made by individuals — both CEOs like Paul Pohlman at Unilever and the average middle manager
- Why sustainability requires structural change, not just new products and services
- Whether current challenges will lead to positive change or alarming gridlock
Listen to their analysis — and their advice for those who want to make a difference.
If you enjoyed this podcast please consider sharing with your network and/or following me on Twitter, LinkedIn or on Medium. We need a new narrative before we can address this challenge in a serious way — time is running out.
Click to read other articles by Brad Zarnett.