There have been a lot of Big Statements made about climate change initiatives over the past year. Some have said they will ban single-use plastic and focus on recyclables and compostables, while others pledged to donate to conservation organizations. Others are stepping up with promises to move to renewable energy within a few years. Corporations have been accused of making these pledges without putting action behind it, or not enough of it. Some observers say it’s more talk than action.
Such “greenwashing” doesn’t deter Clover Hogan, the 20-year-old climate change activist. “I’m stubbornly optimistic,” she says. “Businesses can move beyond greenwashing. The thing that gives me hope is that for all the ways we’ve messed up, there are so many ways to fix it.”
Hogan, who speaks about agency, mainly for young people, says change comes from leadership and storytelling. “You have to do the right thing for your bottom line but accept that you take short-term losses,” she says. “Leadership is about that long-term gain, finding what gives you hope.”
And there isn’t one-fix-fits-all. Companies are demonstrating a range of ways to address their climate impacts, from more sustainable food production to wastewater reduction by apparel companies. Hogan has worked closely with Impossible Foods, which regularly reports dramatic dips in its use of land, water and greenhouse emissions.
Hear more from Clover Hogan at Signal 2020. Register here to keep up to date on speaker and session developments!
