© 2009 Flickr / Kimberly Vardeman cc by 2.0
To this end, a number of forward-thinking companies formed “Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy” or BICEP nearly three years ago. Members include Nike, Starbucks, Levi Strauss & Co., Timberland, Target, Best Buy and other major brands.
These companies know that climate change threatens their supply chains, and therefore increases risk and uncertainty. For example, 95% of Levi products are made from cotton, which is sensitive to extreme heat and both too much and too little water. Aspen Skiing Co. will feel the impacts of climate change directly; a lack of snow affects the entire $66 billion-per-year industry that depends on skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts for financial survival.
BICEP companies are working individually and collectively to explain the reality of climate change and to demonstrate solutions. For example, Nike is investigating the use of recycled materials, which could halve the amount of energy needed to make a pair of shoes. Levi is also cutting energy use, which is good for both the climate and the company’s bottom line; energy efficiency could reduce costs by 33% each year (about $600,000) at a single facility. And companies like Clif Bar are working to transition to clean sources of energy throughout their supply chain.
The BICEP companies are innovating to combat the climate crisis — and to save money — but there’s a lot more that businesses can do. Take, for example, the fact that BICEP doesn’t oppose the construction of new coal-fired power plants.
As our presenters discussed during 24 Hours of Reality, you too have an opportunity to make a difference in the fight against climate change with your consumer choices. How are you flexing your purchasing biceps? Leave us a comment, and let us know.
George Hoguet
September 30th
Last December I attended the joint conference on sustainability with the Food Marketing Institute and the Grocery Manufacturers Association. In short, speakers including the CEO of General Mills and VP’s of Coca Cola, Pepsi and others, spoke bluntly about the frightening challenges ahead in feeding 7+ billion people on the planet in the face of drought and extreme weather. They do indeed “get it”, at least the food producers.
gokula krishnan
September 30th
you are doing a great job for this planet.
Cami Hay, DM Rocky Mountain District
September 30th
Hi Juanita,
This is a very nice piece on BICEP. I am hoping more companies make it clear that BICEP must stand for renewable energy too. Coal has to go.
Thanks,
Cami
Jan
October 4th
“In short, speakers including the CEO of General Mills and VP’s of Coca Cola, Pepsi and others, spoke bluntly about the frightening challenges ahead in feeding 7+ billion people on the planet in the face of drought and extreme weather”
Yes and they see big profit in it too. Perhaps Coke and Pepsi should have thought about drought before they started depleting groundwater aquifers in foreign countries to bottle their unhealthy sodas for profit by commoditizing water which is a human right and public trust. Now let’s see if this comment was “friendly” enough to be included here.