An impressively large mix of the regulated and their regulators gathered to hear Hawken address corporate sustainability. But with the mushy concept of 'leaving sufficient resources for future generations,' many businesses considered it something for governments and community groups to wrestle with. Businesses are beginning to figure it out. There were many common factors among the presentations with the overwhelming conclusions that the opportunities and risks for businesses are real and substantial. First, the risks.
Scientific evidence shows that all of our naturally productive living systems are in decline.
Based upon trends in these areas the context for doing business will be fundamentally different than in the past. The issues of sustainability will drive huge economic and social discontinuities. Historically, businesses have flourished or disappeared based on their abilities to adapt to such discontinuities. There will be big losers and huge first-mover opportunities. Perhaps this is why you're seeing strategic alliances between some of the largest behemoths such as Monsanto, General Motors and British Petroleum, who have all taken proactive positions on the controversial issue of climate change.