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Kermit the Frog was never a tree-hugging hippie. We don’t know what his political party was. But though he never claimed to be red or blue, Kermit did talk a lot about being green. But being green means more than simply reducing our impact on the environment. The planet is self-sustaining; we are not. We rely on the Earth for our survival, so for us, being green means cultivating a sustainable existence financially, socially and environmentally. Here’s how:
GREEN BUSINESS
Going green in business can maximize profit while promoting integrity and innovation. Sustainability is the new reality, and green initiatives must be credible, measurable and authentic, or they risk doing more harm than good.
Businesses can choose to become sustainable now because it is the right thing to do, or they can wait until legislation dictates it. The World Resources Institute predicts that policies and natural resource constraints will force firms to add environmental expenses to the cost of doing business — to the extent that consumer goods companies that fail to develop effective strategies now can expect an impact to their EBIT of 19-47% by the year 2018.
GREEN LIVING
We enjoy the beautiful, healthy environment on Hilton Head Island, and it is our responsibility to be good stewards of it. Currently, the island has a number of initiatives designed to preserve and protect its inhabitants and resources. These initiatives maintain diversity and productivity over time — resulting in sustainable existence.
But maximizing our economy is equally important. Ecotourism is a growing national trend, and Hilton Head is well-primed to attract this new market. Still, we must be authentic in our claim to be an environmentally friendly destination. If we seek to attract families and young professionals in addition to retirees, we must create a community that finds innovative ways to sustain itself. This means that participation in recycling programs and other green initiatives are critical. It also calls on each of us to engage in responsible practices such as choosing reusable shopping bags and water bottles, adjusting thermostats to save energy, conserving water, purchasing eco-friendly products, and using alternative transportation when possible.
Kermit’s statement that “It’s not easy being green” was true when he said it. Fortunately, it is becoming easier. We are the change that is needed. Channel your inner frog, because every green step matters.
Teresa Wade is the principal of Sustainable Solutions, a consulting firm that helps businesses understand and implement sustainability programs, and founder of Experience Green, a nonprofit that provides experiential sustainability education.
