“We are the first generation to be able to end poverty, and the last generation that can take steps to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Future generations will judge us harshly if we fail to uphold our moral and historical responsibilities,” said Ban Ki-moon, a secretary general of the United Nations. Our generation needs companies need to advance their climate actions for our future. A climate crisis is rising and has been for many years. I need future and present CEOs and business leaders to take action by striving for a healthy planet.  

Why should businesses care about climate change?

A majority of businesses are not climate-focused and instead, only care about profit. This means that employees and the environment are put to the side. In 2017 there was a study published saying that 72% of all industrial emissions by humans have come from one-hundred energy companies. These energy companies need to step up by taking responsibility for their ongoing waste. If they significantly reduced their waste we would majorly decrease our emissions. This in turn would lead to systemic change in households and communities. 

Why is it so important for businesses to reduce their emissions?
It is necessary for businesses to reduce their GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions because human health, food production, water, transportation, energy, agriculture, wildlife, and ecosystems will be damaged if not. Addressing climate change makes good business sense. Taking action by implementing GHG targets has helped save money, reduced production costs, enhanced product sales, and made businesses more competitive. 

On a similar note, future generations depend on businesses to reduce their impact on our environment. I don’t want to imagine a world with too many droughts, forest fires, earthquakes, and natural disasters, killing many that I love. The younger generation doesn’t want to see their friends and family affected by the morbidities of a warming climate.