About this petition: the Green Hush syndrome and the Eco challenge to Fortune 500s

With the sinking economy gasping for air, trying to sputter back to the surface, and Swine Flu spreading a new kind of fever, global warming is being put back on the ice shelf, or so it seems.  Americans are telling their President to stop multi-tasking and focus on the financial markets first. As if there is much value in jobs and security on a dying planet.

Let’s hope the days of economy vs. environment’s false dichotomy are behind us, along with the fake arguments against climate change science.

So, we’re left with the facts; that the ice shelves are falling, glaciers are melting, bees and major fish species are disappearing, and we have somewhere between 7 to 10 years to turn this mother ship around, or else.

Given the true global 911, you’d think emergency actions would be taken round the clock and en masse. You’d think we’d be using the major media outlets to alert and educate the public about planetary perils and all able-bodied earthlings would band together in the transition to a more sustainable model of energy production, and fast. You would think… 

 

As droughts worsen and weather extremes continue to break records, and lives, the earth’s inhabitants are beginning to understand that dependence on fossil fuels may be our undoing while water will be our next oil.

And while the Greenies have gone – as Van Jones says – from eco freaks to eco chics, the sea change needed to save our selves (SOS) is not yet underway, or at least not fast, deep or wide enough. Most likely coming soon after these commercial messages…

…And speaking of commercials, can you name any corporate brands that have put their money where their green mouth is to sponsor a daily program focused exclusively on environmental news and views we can all use? Or even a green minute for that matter. I can tell you it hasn’t happened because bringing green content to the mass airwaves has been – for the most part -  a lonely and thankless endeavor. 

But that was then, this is now. We have a green president in the White House, corporate America is seeing it’s time to evolve or die, and hope is in the air.

So last week I invited a few of the larger corporations represented at the Fortune Brainstorm Green conference to walk the eco talk by making possible a show that makes a difference.

If I cover one more conference and hear what Starbuck’s, HP, WalMart, etc. are doing to save the planet - and about all the millions being poured into clean tech R and D - while those same green leaning companies have not spent a dime to support green content getting out to the mainstream public via mass media commercial outlets, I will choke on my Chai Latte!

And it’s not only Starbuck’s. Even the greenest company of them all – by far and for longest – Patagonia, is still reluctant to underwrite conservation tips on the radio or make possible a green TV talk show that informs and inspires the masses on a daily basis.  

During a session at last week’s Fortune conference, when someone referred to this curious phenomenon as Green Hush, a knowing smile crossed the faces of those in the room. Despite the arrival of the Green Rush, Green Hush is still alive and well. And that’s bad news for the health and wealth of all Americans.  

A month prior to issuing this Eco challenge to Fortune 500 companies starting down the green path, I did the same to a convention of (mostly conservative) radio programmers and syndicators.

As you can see in a short video clip, the arrogance in that industry is appalling, especially ironic since these executives spent much of the conference lamenting the demise of radio due to diminishing ad revenue and an ever shrinking market share for the ears  of Americas. 

Perhaps keeping up with, or even ahead, of the times would be a fruitful way to stay relevant. 

If you agree that at least one company purporting to embrace sustainability should step up to help fill the dearth of daily green programming in mainstream media outlets by underwriting such content, then please sign our pledge at FaceBook Causes.

If you think the nation's airwaves should be giving equal time to MotherEarth, or at least one hour per week, then let your voice be heard.
Sign our pledge to programmers that you will in fact listen to a green program that has farm fresh content, big market experience, and a friendly, engaging style.

Let’s prove them dead wrong when they arrogantly declare that “no one will listen”!