The 3 C’s to a Green Economy

People are talking about green jobs and a green economy more than they ever have. For the most part, I like what I’m hearing as it relates to sustainable development – invest in renewable energy projects, fuel-efficient vehicles, and green buildings with rooftop gardens…

But all this talk about making more “new” makes me think about some other values integral to a truly green economy such as health, harmony and a sharing of resources.

You know all about the three R’s, but do you know about the three C’s?

Collaboration

The concept is simple – we can all get more done if we share the workload. Or, if someone else is doing it, why recreate the wheel? This approach doesn’t always apply in the business world but it certainly should for the non-profit sector. Is it really sustainable to have competing organizations and programs all going after the same limited resources? Can we create partnerships that work? Applying this ethic to our personal lives makes sense too. Whether you’re a student, an employee or a new parent, asking for help, splitting up tasks and learning from one another is about sharing resources, not depleting them.

Creation

But then again, where would we be without innovation? There is a place for new ideas, innovative approaches and fresh leadership. You don’t have to wait for a green job to open up, create one! Creating your own green job doesn’t sound like a collaborative action, but this article makes a strong case for seeing it otherwise.

Calm

Nothing could be more important it seems that thinking before acting and keeping perspective. Life isn’t easy. We seem to encounter more obstacles than open doors, but building balance into our lives is integral to minimizing stress and maximizing a green ethic. How can we ensure the health of our environment when we ourselves are not healthy? After all, we are our environment. If you are not inherently a calm person, you can build this trait in yourself by making time for mental relaxation and breathing; try meditation, evening walks or getting to bed earlier. We need to tell ourselves it’s more than okay to permit yourself to just ‘be’.

What does a green economy mean to you?