The Right Book, Not a Moment Too Soon

Best-selling author Seth Godin brings his marketing genius to bear on climate change in a new resource manual, The Carbon Almanac.

Slated for release June 21, it packs in assiduously sourced explainers, infographics, and calls to action produced by more than 300 volunteer contributors from 40 countries. Godin organized the collective effort, which itself echoes a key theme: Individual action won’t get the job done. “What’s going to solve the problem is when small businesses lead the way in culture change, so it becomes normal to do the things that dramatically change the carbon equation,” he says. “This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs, because the world is going to change.” Opportunity, that is, to build a business that creates demand for carbon-zero products and services. Meantime, here are five practical steps your company can take today. As the book reminds us, “It’s not too late.”

Buy electric fleet vehicles

EVs emit nothing while operating. Accounting for life cycle carbon costs such as manufacturing, they cut emissions by 60 percent over cars and trucks powered by fossil fuels.

Install solar panels

We could power the entire country with eight million square acres of solar panels, an area smaller than the Mojave Desert. Covering your company’s roof would be a good start.

Don’t build new office space

The building and construction sector contributes 38 percent of global CO2 emissions. Even if you build with energy-efficient tech, it takes 10 to 80 years to zero out the carbon costs from construction. Better to use existing space.

Bank intentionally

Look twice at big banks that finance fossil fuel companies. To find one that invests in fighting climate change, visit the Global Alliance for Banking on Values at gabv.org.

Use sustainable packaging

The 200,000 tons of sheep’s wool discarded in Europe each year could meet 120 percent of the world’s demand for bubble wrap. Find alternatives to plastic and Styrofoam.