The MNP provided some further CO2 analysis from a per capita basis and found that the U.S. produces nearly four times as much CO2 as China, or about 20 tons per person. MNP also noted that China’s CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions are primarily a result of the production of goods which are exported to industrialized countries. Global CO2 risk is a tricky thing, particularly for U.S. businesses, policy makers and consumers. On one hand, we continue to reap the rewards of inexpensive consumer products, relatively inexpensive oil and gas (compared to Europe or other industrialized nations), and on the other we may just be deferring the true cost of climate change, resource depletion and human health impacts to future generations. When these true costs will hit us, we don’t really know. However, we know that the culture and tactics by current administration leaders like Vice President Dick Cheney have had there day, and are fading quickly like big dinosaurs that once also ruled. These leaders will yield and transition to a new generation of social entrepreneurs, philanthropists and policy makers who seek a better world. This change is not being brought on by what’s en vogue, its being brought on by a shift in values, ethics and concern for the future.
You’d think that the U.S., after 100+ years of industrialization, may have a thing or two to teach China about growing in a smart, more sustainable way. But the fact is – we don’t, not because we won’t or that we don’t know how. We are just very slow, like the big dinosaur, to adapt and change. The battle over who emits more CO2 is nothing to be proud of. CO2 emissions are considered a measure of economic productivity. Think about it, the more CO2 being emitted, the greater economic productivity. This is not a metric worth touting however. To transform our current state of global competitiveness, innovation and economic growth to one that is more enlighten and more conscious we need to begin utilizing our knowledge to help other countries develop their markets with the best available clean technology and processes.
As CO2 and other greenhouse gases become more heavily regulated, they may constrain economic growth in the short term. However, there are economic solutions. We know that ramping up the manufacture of clean and renewable energy production technologies, embracing energy efficiency and conservation, deploying clean manufacturing technologies, and rethinking the design, use and disposal of consumer products to be more sustainable is all possible. We see the transformation to more social response product solutions cascading throughout all product sectors: energy, transportation, building products, food and beverage, clothing and retail services. The change is upon us – and companies are strategizing how to minimize their carbon footprint en route to a more competitive market position.
According to the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, China’s CO2 emissions now top the U.S. by 8%. In 2005 China’s emissions for CO2 were 2% lower than the U.S. Forgetting the number game for a moment, the future of global competitiveness, diplomacy and democracy is not going to be fought over the availability or price of oil. That war has been waged, arrogantly and wastefully for decades. The war of the future will be over clean air, clean water, and access to new markets based upon what we call Social Response Capitalism. It won’t be a war in our notion of fighting; rather it will be a race to achieve zero net emissions – and new pride driven by social needs for healthcare, education, sustainable communities and sustainable business enterprise. We’re forging ahead on this new economy, and hope you will join us!
Mark C. Coleman
Senior Associate, AHC Group, Inc.
Mark@ahcgroup.com
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