Just a few days ago, enormous flames erupted in the Gulf of Mexico after a gas pipeline ruptured. As the news spread across the world, thousands asked themselves, “what have we done to our planet?”
It’s a question we hear more and more, as reports of greenhouse gas emissions, the impact of the meat industry, rising sea levels and natural disasters reach us. What’s worse – we know we are to blame. For the first time in 4.5 billion years, one species has managed to so dramatically alter the planet’s ecosystem that it might now be irreparably changed.
The challenge can seem too large to face, but we can’t hide our heads in the sand. Whilst big changes need to be made by multinational corporations and world leaders, we too can make a difference.
As communications professionals, we have a part to play both in our own businesses and for the companies we work with. Business has a large role to play in providing and promoting end-to-end product life-cycle sustainability – but clients can’t do it all alone.
Agencies and consultancies are ideally placed to assist their clients in effectively explaining to stakeholders and customers why change is so essential. After all, what are agencies if not professional storytellers?
Here at thenetworkone, we believe that change can happen when passionate thinkers join forces. We’ve established a Sustainable Development Group, consisting of 13 independent agencies from around the world – some who have entirely dedicated their businesses to environmental causes, and others with a personal passion to do better.
Every week, one of our agency leaders will be releasing an essay which explores some of the issues and solutions involved in moving towards a more sustainable future for all. They’ll be discussing everything from brand purpose, the triple bottom line and marketing sustainable innovations to simple changes that can make a big difference.
Take a look at our website to read the published essays. New thought leadership will be available every week, both on our website and here at Little Black Book.
We’d welcome hearing from other agencies and consultancies who would be interested to join the group. Please contact stephanie.fox@thenetworkone.com for more info.