Ten reasons to support Earth Hour

No solution to climate change is perfect; no single act will create the ripple necessary to solve our climate challenges. Instead, a large group of communities and individuals continually working toward change will make the deepest impact. Although some wondered the utility in Earth Hour, I'd argue its continued importance on the world stage. 

The World Wildlife Fund initiative to turn off lights to support action on climate change was a big success and here's why:

1. We're chatting about co2 usage and our savings or spending!
2. Earth Hour actually reduced carbon emissions--working out precise numbers now...
3. There is incentive for individuals and businesses to take climate leadership
4. Earth Hour ads were well-designed and placed in high traffic areas
5. Action encouraged local interest in international issues
6. Candlelit dinner = romance
7. Families relaxed together over dinner or boardgames; encouraging creativity
8. The Associated Press says 2,800 municipalities in 84 countries signed onto Earth Hour in 2009--from the Pyramids to the Eiffel Tower and Empire State Building in NYC
9. It sparks long-term inquiry into legislative frameworks that help us reduce co2 emissions
10. Earth Hour organizers plan to deliver a mandate for environmental reform to world leaders attending the UN Conference for Climate Change in Copenhagen [Dec 2009] according to 2Sustain.

If you want to formally support for Earth Hour, register at the Earth Hour website.

Outsourcing: four ways to increase marketing by outsourcing obligations

While in NYC public library, I stumbled upon (offline) a book which had been recommended by several fellow social entrepreneurs; The four hour workweek, Timothy Ferriss. The premise: reduce your workload by outsourcing or spreading your workload around to work less and enjoy more.

Why do I even mention outsourcing? Well, as a communicator and political economist, the issue of economic change is crucial to environmental development. Therefore, using that premise, an outsourcing mechanism might also work to re-distribute wealth on a small scale and potentially drive improvement on both sides.

Creating and maintaining a healthy relationship with your colleagues across the world is always most important so CIO UK recommends following some tips on successful outsource relationships.

Putting steps into practice that practically reduce your workload and increase your professional, charity or corporate social media facilities include:

1. Monthly or bi-monthly webinar (#1 #2 #4 via Analyst Equity chief writer and Managing Director, Lighthouse Analyst Relations Duncan Chapple [@chapp])
2. Podcast notable conversations without video
3. Podcast blogposts with Odiogo (per business consultant Rizwan Tayabali [@rizwantayabali])
4. Bi-monthly newsletter to increase/engage your database

Several outsource options (do you know more? do comment recommendations!):

1. Elance.com (for tech projects including Java and PHP among others)
2. National Outsourcing Association Suppliers Directory [UK]

Interviewing @dcarli: tools, trends in sustainable communications

This fledging, new field is filled with possibility. 

The international community is very close to  American, European [Copenhagen 2009], Australian, South American (in flux) and Chinese climate/carbon legislation also inevitable (buyer-seller carbon credits matched at this Beijing China Carbon Trade Summit). Prior to legislative commitments, numerous businesses and organizations are already seriously considering their environmental impact. Climate conversations are important as ever. 

As sustainability communicators seek to spread the message, there are a multitude of social media tools at our disposal. There are several issues to unpack when considering sustainability communications. Particularly important: what tools do communicators use now and what tools might be useful in 2009?

Curious, I connected with Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Sustainable Communication, Don Carli. After briefly establishing the definition of sustainability (using earths' resources in line with planetary limitations) we spoke about where sustainability communications is heading. Verbatim unless quoted.

Noteworthy questions and answers:

Q: How does the ISC communicate about sustainability?

A: We use a multi-media communications platform for outreach including conferences, webinars, twitter, online advertising and print editorial content.

 

Q: What are useful tools for sustainability communications?

A: If marketers want movement towards a sustainable, low carbon economy, we must take a lifecycle approach to environmentally-friendly outreach campaigns. This means "sustainable" rather than "sustainability" communications. These campaigns are just as much about being green as communicating about it; transparency and credibility are important. Companies engaging in media outreach campaigns should implement strategies to best ameliorate or reduce their environmental impact now for the benefit of financial, social and environmental successes. Budgets can be reduced and outcomes enhanced through critically analyzing budgets and eliminating waste. Ultimately, the goal is to "embody principles of sustainability in your media marketing communications supply chain activities". 

Q: Are there "sustainable" communications trends? 

A:  Already, industry leaders such as Timberland are making real and sincere efforts towards recycling, reducing and reusing and are making significant profits from doing so. What's most important for environmental communications to be exclusive of moral, ethical and media "monocultures"; rather, embody systems thinking approaches produce collective action. One significant trend is the US (European and international) sustainablity-focused healthcare systems--especially considering the interest in electronic filing--this area has exceptional growth potential.

Personally, what I'd really like to see is how to analyze my twitter trends to make tweeting more productive. (As well as @ev knowing how much carbon one tweet uses).