Do you know of a vision of environmentalism? Have you heard or read of one?
I haven’t. A search on “does environmentalism have a vision” returned nothing meaningful or memorable. The best I found was an essay by Donella Meadows titled Envisioning a Sustainable World. I value her views, but the essay didn’t clarify a vision that people could follow, it seemed to me.
I ask because I’ve mentioned in a few conversations how I’ve heard people behind polluting, depleting organizations state catchy visions. I can’t remember exactly where or when, but I remember a high-level executive, maybe the CEO of Duke Energy, saying something like “We’re here so that when you turn on the light switch, the light goes on,” continuing with something like that we faced problems, but powering the solution with their energy was the best way to solve them.
I don’t believe he was just saying what he felt. I suspect his words came from long work from highly-paid public relations people testing them with focus groups, and that he probably practiced, practiced, practiced delivering them.
Still, or as a result, they work. People like to learn that when they call an ambulance, one will come, and they’re nearly all powered by fossil fuels. The companies providing them say they want alternatives, but those future alternatives require present power.
Are environmentalists countering?
The closest thing I’ve heard from environmentalism is that so-called “clean,” “green,” “renewable” energy will replace fossil fuels, with strong undertones that no individual has to change in any way. In fact, they are blameless. Only the big corporations and politicians from the other side deserve any blame.
That message is not a vision It’s a call to give up, blaming others without achieving anything. It’s a call to increase government where its incentives conflict with actually reducing pollution or depletion.
Am I missing anything?
Am I missing a message from environmentalists? I hear things like “if we don’t things will be worse” and stuff about “climate justice” and “environmental justice” with no clarity on what they mean.
I also ask because I’m working on the vision I foresee without violating the Constitution, which polluting and depleting do. Is there any vision from environmentalism?
Examples of visions from polluting, depleting companies
I looked up visions from other polluting, depleting companies. They’re corporate and sound inauthentic, but at least they’re clear, easy to find, and easy to figure something like, “I guess they’re not that bad.”
Chevron’s mission is “To be the global energy company most admired for its people, partnership and performance.” Its values include:
Diversity and inclusion
We learn from and respect the cultures in which we operate. We have an inclusive work environment that values the uniqueness and diversity of individual talents, experiences and ideas.High performance
We collaborate as one team to deliver high performance. We are direct, decisive and hold our selves and others accountable for delivering results that meet the expectations of our stakeholders.Trust and integrity
We earn trust and respect by acting with integrity and operating with the highest ethical standards. Our culture and reputation are built upon these principles.Partnerships
We build trusting, mutually beneficial relationships. We work together—and with our partners—to achieve innovative solutions and breakthroughs that benefits our shareholders and society.
Delta Airline’s vision is “To be the World’s Most Trusted Airline.” Its mission statement is “We—Delta’s employees, customers, and community partners together form a force for positive local and global change, dedicated to bettering standards of living and the environment where we and our customers live and work. Its values:
- Honesty: always tell the truth
- Integrity: always keep your deals
- Respect: don’t hurt anyone
- Perseverance: never give up
- Servant Leadership: care for everyone
Is there anything comparable from environmentalism?
I have a vision, but I don’t know of any other. Sorry to keep you waiting on mine, but it will come in my next book.