Welcome to ThinkGreenAndProsper.Com.  The purpose of this web site is simple:  to provide information about real incentives for people and businesses to think green.  As human beings, we naturally rely on incentives to make decisions about how we will live our lives.  What do we like and dislike?  What motivates us to act in both positive and negative ways?  What has value to us as individuals?  How can we best use those likes and values to prosper?

     What do we mean by “prosper?”  First and foremost, this is not a get-rich-quick scheme.  In fact, while financial incentives certainly can play a major role in why we should think green, the idea here is that we can all prosper in ways that have meaning to each individual.  For some, that means saving money on energy-saving technologies.  For others, it means providing a cleaner, safer earth for our immediate families as well as our children and grandchildren.  For others, it’s how to run a more profitable business.  One definition of prosper we really like is “to thrive or succeed in a healthy way.”

     Make no mistake about it; we at ThinkGreenAndProsper.Com believe our current rate of utilization of the Earth’s resources is not sustainable.  And we believe we all, as individuals, have a responsibility to help make sustainability a reality.  But we are not tied to any one particular group, theory or political ideology.  We fervently believe that solutions to even our most difficult environmental and energy problems are achievable, but they will only come when we take the best ideas our combined intellects can provide and work together. 

     It doesn’t matter whether it’s the climate change debate, or questions about alternative energy, pollution or recycling.  We’re kind of tired of all the yelling by extremists on both ends of the ideological spectrum and the “squeaky wheel” soundbite journalism which makes their voices the ones most often heard.  The resulting cacophony doesn’t seem to be helping anyone, so let’s take the high road and simply get those good ideas into the public domain without all the name-calling and coarseness.

     As of this writing, this web site is a one-way conduit of information, but we hope to change that soon.  Our next step will be to build the Think Green and Prosper into an interactive forum where ideas can be exchanged.  But to get things started – we’ll just be offering links, videos and ideas that we’ve gathered from our own research.  We don’t claim to have any special insight other than that of journalist and American citizen, so please take time to read the disclaimer below. 

     To get things started, we’re going to talk about how you can Think Green and Prosper in business or the workplace by offering our “Top Ten Green Business Links.”  Most of these deal with the idea that being green in business is no longer just a social responsibility, it’s a business imperative.  In other words, if you’re not responding to the rapidly changing business landscape by investing in energy savings and other sustainability initiatives – you might not be competitive in a few years.  These links also provide some idea as to how to take advantage of the emerging “Green Jobs” economy.  While we did not prepare an exact litmus test for whether these sites are “conservative” or “liberal” or “middle-of-the-road,” we think you’ll find these ideas cross many points on the ideological spectrum.

     If you have suggested incentives you’d like to share or ideas about how to make this web site better, please email them to ken@thinkgreenandprosper.com.  And keep in mind these incentives can be small or large, individual or corporate, and about any topic – not just businesses.  If you know of a way to “Think Green and Prosper,” we want to hear about it.  We’ll try to get the best ideas up on the web site as soon as possible.  And we’re working on a realtime feedback mechanism.

Ken Sneeden
Publisher

   In 2011, C-Level executives from Fortune 500 companies gathered to discuss the future of renewable energy.  The link below takes you to the home page of a website  which allows you to replay videos from the conference. It also provides information about the 2012 conference.  You do have to register, but it’s free to register and view the videos.  There’s a lot of material here, but it’s well worth a look if you want good, current information about the business potential of renewable energy technologies.  Here’s an excerpt from the conference’s marketing materials:
   “In the wake of the failed Copenhagen climate talks, leaders in c-suites around the world are asking: What will the new rules be? What role will the government play? How can I plan for the future when there's so little clarity? In the meantime, clean technologies ranging from solar to wind to electrified cars are reaching scale, and new environmental issues including greenhouse gas regulations, carbon finance, and sustainability reporting are arising all the time. 
   The program includes one-on-one interviews, debates, informal breakout sessions, and ample time for mingling.”

   
  We highly recommend this report to anyone who plans to be in business – of any kind – during the next few decades.  International business consultant McKinsey & Company provides comprehensive background information on what businesses can do to positively impact our future environment, and what they should do to remain competitive through productivity gains brought on by proper investment in energy efficiency.  Here’s an excerpt from the web page which contains the Executive Summary and the full report:
   “In this report, McKinsey & Company offers a detailed analysis of the magnitude of the efficiency potential in non-transportation uses of energy, a thorough assessment of the barriers that impede the capture of greater efficiency, and an outline of the practical solutions available to unlock the potential.
   “The research shows that the U.S. economy has the potential to reduce annual non-transportation energy consumption by roughly 23 percent by 2020, eliminating more than $1.2 trillion in waste – well beyond the $520 billion upfront investment (not including program costs) that would be required. The reduction in energy use would also result in the abatement of 1.1 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions annually – the equivalent of taking the entire U.S. fleet of passenger vehicles and light trucks off the roads.”








   We at Think Green and Prosper are really excited about the idea that a “Clean Energy Economy” can possibly lead America to prosperity.  This report from Pew Charitable Trusts really provides benchmark information for anyone who wants to know how that economy might emerge.  Here’s an excerpt from the report.
   “The clean energy economy, still in its infancy, is emerging as a vital component of America’s new economic landscape. That’s the finding of The Clean Energy Economy: Repowering Jobs, Businesses and Investments Across America, a groundbreaking analysis by The Pew Charitable Trusts that sheds light on an increasingly important part of the nation’s economic recovery.”








   If you want to see what specific regions of the country are doing about sustainability, look no further than the ongoing Climate Prosperity Project.  From St. Louis to Portland, from Silcon Valley to Denver – and other points around the country – come reports of real work being done to promote sustainability at the local and regional level.  Here’s an excerpt from one of the initial reports:
   "Climate Prosperity, Inc., the successor to the Climate Prosperity Project launched in 2007, is committed to the creation of a low-carbon and prosperous American economy. We bring together key players in regional economic development - both private and public sector - to address the climate challenge and benefit the local and national economy at the same time.
   "Climate Prosperity is focused on creating important regional economic outcomes - Green Savings, Green Opportunity, and Green Talent - while reducing greenhouse gas emissions."








   Looking for hard data on the phase-out of incandescent lights in favor of LEDs?  What about the role natural gas will play as a partner for wind and solar energy.  How about cleaner aviation fuels, low-cost green building and other innovations.  Here’s a web site dedicated to providing the data necessary to make important decisions about these topics.  Read this excerpt from CleanEdge.Com, then link to the web site and read the reports that interest you:
   “As witnessed over the past decade, clean tech has proven to be a significant business opportunity, and its growth rates now rival that of earlier technology revolutions like telephony, computers, and the Internet."








   One of the goals often cited for energy efficiency in the U.S. is reduced dependence on foreign energy sources, especially in our transportation sector.  Believe it or not, there is an American non-profit organization whose purpose is to do just that – reduce our dependence on foreign oil.  We at ThinkGreenAndProsper.Com think it’s worth knowing a bit more about this group.  Here’s an excerpt and a link:
   “Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) works as a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization committed to reducing America's dependence on oil and improving U.S. energy security in order to bolster our national security and strengthen the economy.”

   One of the specific projects of SAFE (Securing America’s Future Energy – highlighted in the previous Top Ten link) is the Energy Policy Information Center.  Here’s the center’s description of itself, along with a link:
   “The Energy Policy Information Center (EPIC) provides reliable, topical news, analysis, and insights for policymakers, opinion leaders, stakeholders, and all individuals involved in our nation's energy policy debate.”

   Somebody had to take the lead in reporting on the new green economy, and we at ThinkGreenAndProsper.Com feel that GreenBiz.com has done just that.  If there are better (or equivalent) news services out there, let us know.  In the meantime, you might want to check out this web site if you’re truly interested in keeping up with the latest green news as it relates to business.   Here’s an excerpt from the web site, along with a link:
   “GreenBiz.com™, Business Voice of the Green Economy, is the leading source for news, opinion, best practices, and other resources on the greening of mainstream business. Launched in 2000, its mission is to provide clear, concise, accurate, and balanced information, resources, and learning opportunities to help companies of all sizes and sectors integrate environmental responsibility into their operations in a manner that supports profitable business practices."

   Another group that is trying to create meaningful change in American energy policy is BICEP, Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy.  According to its web site, BICEP “is an advocacy coalition of businesses committed to working with policy makers to pass meaningful energy and climate legislation that will enable a rapid transition to a low-carbon, 21st century economy that will create new jobs and stimulate economic growth while stabilizing our planet’s fragile climate.”
 







   This is a video link featuring Carter Roberts, President and CEO of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).  We heard Mr. Roberts speak at an Imagine Solutions event in Naples, Florida, and thought he brought some interesting perspective on energy policy from one of the world’s leading conservation organizations. This speech is actually from an appearance he made at Stanford University Graduate School, but the presentation is similar to the one he made in Naples.  Mr. Roberts’ comments lie at the heart of the ThinkGreenAndProsper philosophy that real world incentives are the answer to our nation’s energy problems.  In his many speeches on the topic, Mr. Carter says “Companies still thinking about the environment as a social responsibility rather than a business imperative are living in the dark ages.” If you want to hear how one major environmental group is trying to work things out with Big Business, watch his speech and read the accompanying article from Stanford University Graduate School.