Ice Cream, Stock Market & Oil Giants Agree on Action for Climate Change

I don’t know about you, but I sure do love ice cream and that thing called Google. With just a few simple words, you can access a vast array of resources that will connect you to a global coalition targeting climate change. In an earlier column, I mentioned food moguls collaborating on climate action with Ben & Jerry’s leading the charge. As part of their climate justice campaign they have created a new flavor called, “Save Our Swirl” with the catchphrase, “if it’s melted, it’s ruined.”

This surely has a double meaning and is something we can visualize. Imagine if your freezer could not keep your ice cream cold! What would society do? Never fear because Ben & Jerry’s website provides an example of a business speaking up and doing their part. “Let’s make sure we get our world leaders to take real action before we run out of time. Keep the pressure on our leaders to take a stand this year at the UN Climate Summit in Paris.”

Have you ever wanted to invest in stocks or even thought about it? Well, no need to wait because there are three new stock index series that highlight climate champions. The S&P Dow Jones has created a platform where companies are incentivized to reduce their annual carbon footprint and to remove any fossil fuel reserves from their portfolio. This will provide the venue for energy efficiencies and renewable sources to become a staple in any company’s portfolio.

Much good has resulted from the recent news of the failed attempts by Shell to drill in the Arctic. The CEO of Shell said, “governments should put a price on carbon, which will then drive the right behavior of consumers and producers in terms of tackling climate change.” He believes that a carbon price will encourage new technologies in carbon capture and sequestration. Shell is one of more than two dozen major companies including: Wal-Mart, BP, ExxonMobil and General Electric that have integrated a price on carbon emissions into their long term business plans.

With another search from Google you will see Shell making another move to lobby for climate change policy within governments. Alongside fourteen major corporations based or operating in the United States, Shell is supporting a plan that will foster a new global climate agreement. Alcoa, BP, HP, Intel, National Grid, Rio Tinto, PG&E, Siemens, and Schneider Electric would all like to see adopted “a more balanced and durable multilateral framework guiding and strengthening national efforts to address climate change.” They go further in saying that “a new climate agreement in Paris can help strengthen the role of, and minimize risks to, the private sector in a number of ways.” The four main ways are: providing long-term direction for businesses and consumers, promoting transparency within national governments, addressing competitiveness to ensure all major economies can remain balanced, and facilitating carbon pricing that will stimulate growth and credibility in the global market.

Because climate change affects everybody, that’s the reason why everyone should care.

If you want to make a difference; learn your ecological footprint.

—Darren is a super senior majoring in Environmental Studies. He wishes one day to work for large buisnesses as their sustainability consultant. Darren strives everyday to improve the status quo. Shoot him an email if you want to talk at darren.bingham@aggiemail.usu.edu or on twitter @darrenbusu.