A discussion group, Sustainability Professionals, is having a long running discussion on the need for a paradigm shift in how we think and act. After CO2Land org posted, 22 April 2014, an Ecoprofit Management Newsletter item on World Meters – Population (pop increase 655,000 net in 3 days). It started a thought process that indicated we complain too much, and do not address the more important aspects – the real dangers of accepting the status quo. How do we go from gonna do and talk about to formulating the tools for shifting our mindsets?

We all know about the importance of educating our children, and use well worn terms like: they are our future and history shows us the way. But, what faces us now is unprecedented in human history, and if adults don’t act there may not be a future for humans. It is therefore foreseeable the paradigm shift needs to have an education component and have:

“INTERNAL TRAINING IN THE ADULT SECTORS on all issues explaining what sustainability is all about. This is sorely needed. We need to work education and training in these issues into the corporate and government structures. They are so risk management oriented. So let’s take a different approach. We need to address and train in the ROI across the board on what sustainability and bringing in why ecosystems working together is key. In the corporate and governments culture employees and all of management must take courses on line such as sexual harassment in the workplace, ADOBE training, how to deal with difficult co-workers, etc. WHAT IF we added:

Sustainability Planning
Sustainability Has a History
Planning Policies for Government and Business
Introduction to Action Initiatives
Waste Streams for Consideration
The Plan: Design and Implementation
Social Responsibility
Definition and Benefits
Guidelines for Transparency for Your Stakeholders
Basic Training of Renewable Energy
Leadership and Administration
Green Building / Systems/Materials
Green Building and Renovations Defined
Energy Efficient Systems
Driving Forces for Change
Risks and Benefits of Green Construction
Green Construction Risk Assessments
Green Certification and Standards
Green Certifications and Standards
Energy Ratings and Audits Defined
Certifications and Energy Standard Case Studies
Green Building Adding to the Bottom Line
Green Supply Chain Management
Leadership, Assessment, and Life Cycle Analysis
Environmental Costs and Benefits
Guiding Your Company’s Plan
Success Story
Waste Management
Waste Concepts are a Part of History
Tracking and Transporting Waste
Solid Waste Principles
What Can Be Recycled?
A Plan to Begin Managing Your Waste
Contractual Guidelines are a Must
Transportation / Green Fleet Management
Introduction to Green Fleet Concepts
Alternative Fuel Overview
Green Fleet Case Studies
Green Transportation Saves on the Bottom Line
Sustainable Purchasing Practices
Concepts in Green Purchasing
Involve Your Purchasing Department in Sustainability
Green Cleaning Practices
Becoming Familiar with Green Cleaning Concepts
Changing Your Cleaning Practices
Water Conservation
Efficient Use of Your Water Resources
Learn about Water Conservation From The Health Care Industry
Water Filtering Options and Storage
Preventing Stormwater Pollution
Environmental Accounting
General Environmental Management System Guidance
International Standards
Environmental Management System Implementation
Planning for Environmental Accountability
Tracking Carbon Emissions
Food Service
Waste and Recycling in Food Service
Greener Food Service Practices
Renewable Energy
Introduction Renewable Energy to Government and Business
Identifying Local Renewable Resources
Waste to Energy Saves Money!

So, wouldn’t this type of internal training help to effect change, catapult the forming of internal committees and cause departments to change business practices? I think it would. This is available now and courses include core competency testing, narration and are of high quality. Place these on corporate and government websites globally, and make them part of compliance internal training programs then the wider public can make better and more ‘informed’ business decisions. http://www.greeneducationonline.com “. Quoted is Kerry Mitchell from Green Education On Line/ Berkshire Hathaway Home Services.

Maybe she has nailed it, a big like from this end. Now how do you get our pollies interested?