As the coordinator for a Think Tank which happens to operate online, I am often flabbergasted by the number of applicants who have committed themselves to a low carbon footprint and want to be involved in sustainability and eco-friendly innovations. It seems folks have been very busy soaking in all the media push surrounding our alternative energy future, the global climate warming crisis, and anti-fossil fuel trends. But is it really possible for “ALL” of these people to work in that sector?
Not long ago, there was a really interesting article on MSN.com titled; “10 Jobs for the Future,” by Rachel Farrell, a researcher on career management writing for CareerBuilder.com. You may wish to surf that title on the MSN search engine and read that article, and then come back to this article, because I have some comments to get you to think about which way our society and over all civilization is heading.
Now then, did you read the number 10 item; Sustainability Officer? Yes, that sounds like a “cool job title” and it was summarized as; “Sustainability Officer: Sustainability has become a concern around the world and also among businesses. Since the executive suite may not have time to learn all there is to know, organizations are hiring eco-savvy individuals as “sustainability officers.” These folks will find, research, and implement eco-friendly policies to benefit the organization.”
Interesting isn’t it? Sure it is, and I do not doubt that such a person may be needed in the average corporation in the future, especially considering that the whole world is turning green as our society makes that long corner towards alternative energy, one I might add we’ve been on for some 40-years now.
In fact, I often laugh when politicians stand up and say; “We have a new plan for America – an alternative energy future!” Ha ha ha, you know what, in my personal library I have dozens of books from the 70s with the words “Alternative Energy” or “Energy Conservation” in the titles – this is nothing new believe me. What is new are all the folks who pick up this vision and dedicate their lives to fulfill it. Every decade or so, there is another huge push forward towards these eco-friendly futures.
Guess what? Nothing has changed. Further, the concept of a job title; “Sustainability Officer” wouldn’t really be anything different than a Six Sigma strategy company-wide with an environmental, recycling, and alternative energy flair. Before Six Sigma, we had TQM or total quality management, yes, I have dozens of those books too, guess what, nearly all of them have chapters on eco-trends, recycling, and alternative energy efficiencies and reduced waste.
Indeed, I often wish folks would step out of their 24/7 brainwashing through school or mass media and take a look at the reality of the situation, energy usage, and the realities of living on the surface of the planet. But, one man, someone like me, cannot prevent the onslaught or massive deluge of wishful nonsense being purported out there. Yes, I know it’s cool, trendy, and hip – yes, I know alternative energy is sexy, and of course I am well aware of all the purported promises of the future. But I am also someone who has no choice but to live in the real world.
“Sustainability Officer” – you have to be kidding me, corporations already have that, they spend lots of money finding ways to cut costs and increase efficiency. After all, Stanford Business School’s Professor Collins is all over that with his famous books; “Built to Last” and “Good to Great” – and besides, the word; “Sustainability” is probably the most over-used word in the English language, almost to the point it’s meaningless. Anyone wanting to make a point just loves to banter it to provoke a reaction. Indeed, I sincerely hope you will please consider all this.
Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you’ve enjoyed today’s discussion and topic. http://www.WorldThinkTank.net – Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.
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