With the sinking economy gasping for
air, trying to sputter back to the surface, and Swine Flu spreading
a new kind of fever, global warming is being put back on the ice shelf,
or so it seems. Americans are telling their President to stop
multi-tasking and focus on the financial markets first. As if there
is much value in jobs and security on a dying planet.
Let’s hope the days of economy vs.
environment’s false dichotomy are behind us, along with the fake arguments
against climate change science.
So, we’re left with the facts; that
the ice shelves are falling, glaciers are melting, bees and major fish
species are disappearing, and we have somewhere between 7 to 10 years
to turn this mother ship around, or else.
Given the true global 911,
you’d think emergency actions would be taken round the clock and en
masse. You’d think we’d be using the major media outlets to alert
and educate the public about planetary perils and all able-bodied earthlings
would band together in the transition to a more sustainable model of
energy production, and fast. You would think…
As droughts worsen and weather extremes
continue to break records, and lives, the earth’s inhabitants are
beginning to understand that dependence on fossil fuels may be our undoing
while water will be our next oil.
And while the Greenies have gone –
as Van Jones says – from eco freaks to eco chics, the sea change needed
to save our selves (SOS) is not yet underway, or at least not fast,
deep or wide enough. Most likely coming soon after these commercial
messages…
…And speaking of commercials, can
you name any corporate brands that have put their money where their
green mouth is to sponsor a daily program focused exclusively on environmental
news and views we can all use? Or even a green minute for that matter.
I can tell you it hasn’t happened because bringing green content to
the mass airwaves has been – for the most part - a lonely and
thankless endeavor.
But that was then, this is now. We have a
green president in the White House, corporate America is seeing it’s
time to evolve or die, and hope is in the air.
So last week I invited a few of the
larger corporations represented at the Fortune Brainstorm Green conference
to walk the eco talk by making possible a show that makes a difference.
If I cover one more conference and hear what Starbuck’s, HP, WalMart,
etc. are doing to save the planet – and about all the millions being
poured into clean tech R and D – while those same green leaning companies
have not spent a dime to support green content getting out to the mainstream
public via mass media commercial outlets, I will choke on my Chai Latte!
And it’s not only Starbuck’s. Even
the greenest company of them all – by far and for longest – Patagonia,
is still reluctant to underwrite conservation tips on the radio or make
possible a green TV talk show that informs and inspires the masses on
a daily basis.
During a session at last week’s Fortune conference,
when someone referred to this curious phenomenon as Green Hush, a knowing
smile crossed the faces of those in the room. Despite the arrival of
the Green Rush, Green Hush is still alive and well. And
that’s bad news for the health and wealth of all Americans.
A month prior to issuing this Eco challenge
to Fortune 500 companies starting down the green path, I did the same
to a convention of (mostly conservative) radio programmers and syndicators.
As you
can see in a short video clip, the arrogance in that industry is appalling,
especially ironic since these executives spent much of the conference
lamenting the demise of radio due to diminishing ad revenue and an ever
shrinking market share for the ears of Americas.
Perhaps keeping
up with, or even ahead, of the times would be a fruitful way to stay
relevant.
If you agree that at least one company
purporting to embrace sustainability should step up to help fill the
dearth of daily green programming in mainstream media outlets by underwriting
such content, then please sign our pledge at FaceBook Causes.
If you think the nation's airwaves should be giving equal time to MotherEarth,
or at least one hour per week, then let your voice be heard.
Sign our
pledge to programmers that you will in fact listen to a green
program that has farm fresh content, big market experience, and a friendly,
engaging style.
Let’s prove them dead wrong when they arrogantly declare
that “no one will listen”!
