Green Chamber of Commerce: Power Networking

Network for Business Innovation and Sustainability is a hub for ideas, which was the main theme in my opinion of the Seattle trip. The founder Dr. Karl Ostrom let us know the importance of networking and the gravitated levels of sustainability. He made a great observation and that is organizations are "paranoid about green business due to costs".

It is a perception and perception in some cases is reality so Karl and this non-profit took a more proactive approach. Inspired by the sheer fact that he wanted to provide a better future for his grandkids, he co-founded this organization. Understanding the business model that insists that sustainability also result in cost-effective methodology, Dr. Ostrom says that the that companies should earn the tax breaks and incentives should be provided at that point.

This dynamic organization has helped companies organize its own GRI reports and has attracted the attention of large companies that want to learn more about sustainability. As we sat around the roundtable I began to wonder about the goals of sustainability. If the bottomline is to continue to uphold the triple bottom line, then how can we convince companies that rate of returns may not always reflect huge profitability.   Dr. Ostrom explained that there are different initiatives such as the eco hour, a roundtable, that has approximately 40-60 business owners in attendance, who discuss varying topics of sustainability and of course, network.

 The goal is to become carbon neutral. This term confuses me because carbon dioxide is a must in order to live - remember, plants need carbon dioxide to convert it into energy  that includes protein and starch.  I know we breathe it out as humans, as a result of inhaling but this subject has a lot of grey area for me.  It is a case of too much of a good thing;therefore, reduction is needed. At any rate, I really liked the ideas of this non-profit because it looks at itself as a middle man or mediator. It is so interesting that our degree is in interdisciplinary studies, working how to work with different folks in order to reach a common good. Corporations are not embracing the term green or sustainability because the green that pops into their heads is not of trees and blooming leaves but of wasted dollars in a energy -efficient commode.