sustainableliving SuStAinAbilitY PARADigm PioneeRS by Linda Sechrist
A paradigm shift—a change from an old to a new way of thinking—doesn’t just happen. Whether it is local, regional, statewide, nationwide or global, a shift in the way individuals perceive and think and what they value is driven by paradigm pioneers: change agents who help the shift to build momentum and reach a tipping point. Paradigm pioneers throughout the country are creating
powerful networks of people and businesses in order to reach the critical mass of brainpower, effort and key resources needed to build a more sustainable world, one community at a time. Organizations such as the Sustainable Business Alliance (SBA), in the San Francisco Bay Area; the U.S. Green Chamber, in San Diego County; and The Connection Partners, in the Tampa Bay area, Florida are linking people, resources and ideas to improve the quality of life on local, regional and national levels.
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS ALLIANCE “Since 2000, when the film An Inconvenient Truth opened the eyes and minds of individuals to the need for consider- ing a whole new set of variables for sustainable living, the world has been under pressure to understand how to respond to this thing we call climate change,” advises SBA Execu- tive Director Mark McLeod. His diverse community includes more than 150 sustainable Bay Area businesses that learn from and support each other through collaboration and help strengthen sustainability through educational programs and partnerships.
Although SBA members range from dentists and psycho-
therapists to attorneys and solar panel manufacturers, each is focused on learning how various green and sustainable best business practices can be implemented at their workplace. “The green solutions that a dentist needs are far different than those required by an attorney working on cutting-edge capital investment solutions for small investors who want to put their money into local projects,” explains McLeod. “This is an ex- ample of why there can be no single answer for individuals or businesses that want to help create a sustainable community.”
THE U.S. GREEN CHAMBER The Green Chamber of San Diego reached a tipping point recently and made a move to become the U.S. Green Chamber, a national 501c(6) nonprofit organization that empowers businesses through environmentally friendly, sustainable practices that
David Steel 18 San Diego Edition
positively impact our ecology and economy. CEO David Steel explains that the organization responded to significant growth since opening in 2009 to serve San Diego County. “We felt a strong sense of urgency from business leaders ev- erywhere who expressed an interest in learning best practices for sustainability,” advises Steel. Plans are already underway for programs in the areas of
education, advocacy and member networking. Tools being developed for members include a comprehensive member- ship directory, calendar of national events and distance- based learning via webinars. “We hope to be a facilitator of change,” says Steel, who notes that the U.S. Green Chamber will seek to help estab- lished and emerging companies find unique solutions to improve operational efficiencies, tap into unexplored markets and explore new opportunities in the green sector.
Spreading the Word about the
U.S. GREEN CHAMBER by Linda Sechrist
Sarah Hardwick, founder of Zenzi Com- munications, signed the chamber’s Green Chamber of San Diego’s Commitment last year and began to work on implementing suggested measures for waste reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation and pollution prevention. “We tried to do as much as possible in each area,” says Hardwick, who points out that her efforts were made easier by her landlord, Wardell Builders. “They are not only a LEED certified builder, but also a chamber member,” she notes. Excited to be part of the campaign to take the chamber to a new national level, Hardwick is donating her time to spread the word via social media and press releases. “It’s great to be a member of such an active chamber, where every member is involved in helping to grow membership,” she advises. “I think our efforts have been helped greatly by recognition from other well-respected organizations, such as E2 Southern California, and very successful events.”
Sarah Hardwick
Sarah Harwick, Zenzi Communications, 646 Valley Ave., Ste. C., Solana Beach 92075. Visit
Zenzi.com or call 858-523-9020. Also visit
USGreenChamber.com.
www.na-sd.com
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