Sustainable Industries Economic Forum in Seattle
The shaky economy is casting dark shadows on the viability of initiatives toward environmental and social responsibility. Shining a light into the green business future is the goal of the Sustainable Industries Economic Forums. They're a series of meetings in west-coast cities, most recently here in Seattle on November 5, 2008. (podcast)
November 10, 2008
Podcast
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Music by Chris Keister
Program Notes
To make sure the attendees were awake for this breakfast meeting the morning after election night, first up was a comedian. Yoram Bauman calls himself a stand-up economist. It was clear who in the audience stayed awake through at least a semester of econ -- they were the ones who were laughing.[Bauman]
Bauman has a great way of using humor to explain the concept of externalities, and segued from there into his more serious message:
[Bauman]
The main event, though, was a brief panel presentation by a utility CEO, a home builder and a banker. Steve Reynolds is CEO of Puget Sound Energy, which serves about a million customers in Washington state.
[Reynolds]
In that morning's news, Puget Energy reported a Q3 net loss. Reynolds had blamed declining new-home construction, among several potential causes.
Panelist Donna Shirey, president of home builder Shirey Contracting, spoke frankly about whether green homes are immune to the downturn.
[Shirey]
But Shirey went on to quote some up-beat statistics about how much easier it is to market a green home, and how an energy efficient house is perceived as being environmentally friendly. Then she explained her company's latest project: a zero-energy idea home.
[Shirey]
[Williams]
That's Dave Williams, CEO of Shorebank Pacific.
[Williams]
Shorebank describes itself as a commercial bank with a commitment to environmentally sustainable community development.
So, how does a sustainable business make a good impression on a sustainable bank?
[Williams]
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