On Feb. 28, 2013, author L. Hunter Lovins spoke at the Intermountain Sustainability Summit at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.
Her keynote speech addressed the needs of companies to change their thinking when it comes to climate change and going green not for the sake of the environment, but for the sake of their own bottom line.
“The companies that are sustainable leaders are outpacing their less sustainable peers,” says Lovins.
Businesses need to “squeeze out the waste” to lower their energy consumption and make a move to renewable energy.
“You’re going to pay more,” says Lovins. “You’re going to pay lots more if you don’t make the transition to renewable energy.”
The solutions to adjusting to climate change are varied and include solar and wind power. It also includes recycling.
“There is no silver bullet, but there sure is silver buckshot,” says Lovins.
The government can help business become more innovative through tougher regulations to help the state’s own bottom line.
“When you innovate to meet regulation, you drive economic growth,” says Lovins.
Communities that want to see economic growth should ask their local businesses what they need to grow.
“Since 1977, the only job creation in this country is by little business,” says Lovins. “(Economic development) is not elephant hunting.”
Jobs can be built one at a time rather than giving incentives that attract large employers who leave when those incentives expire.
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