In fact, one only needs to look at some of the characters involved in the East Anglia / Climate-gate Scandal and carbon credit trading to see there is a tonne of money to be made off global warming and sustainability.

I understand Patagonia, Frito-Lay and Volkswagen are marketing to an emotion in order to make a profit. There’s no question of that, and I applaud them for any success they may have.

Companies that don’t pass the smell test with me are the ones that try to hide their primary motivation of making money, with claims of changing the weather if you buy their goods or services.

I think the winners in this arena will be those who can credibly & honestly market their goods and services as environmentally responsible, but only if they succeed in separating themselves from the anthropogenic global warmers.

Back to the Green Chamber of Commerce, as I stated in my message, I was simply interested in learning the founder’s motivation.

Ray Anderson of Interface http://bit.ly/7lDhQ0 is another great example of industry demonstrating leadership in sustainable manufacturing and consumption.

Patagonia was founded on the very principles of sustainability, and they’re making a rather tidy profit with their efforts. Check out their Footprint Chronicles: http://bit.ly/82sBSk I imagine you have some of their gear, which is an expression of its “Greenness.”

Even Frito Lay is into it with their Sun Chips, capturing 20 percent growth per year, while encouraging their consumers to make the world a better place. http://bit.ly/2DdnSs

Volkswagen too: http://bit.ly/64KCJr

So I hope it’s not a leap to think that a Green Chamber of Commerce has been launched to do anything but offer businesses a way to become leaders in sustainability while increasing their profits? I believe that’s its intent.

I’m not trying to pry into your personal life, but was truly interested in what the real goal of someone starting a Green Chamber of Commerce was/is.

I see a lot of people and companies jumping on the Green Building / Sustainable band wagon because they sense it is leading them to the bank, as opposed to saving polar bears.

I find nothing wrong with the wagon ride to the bank, provided everyone’s cards are on the table, but it irritates me when people claim their motivations are purely altruistic, when we know better.

No offense intended, and again was just curious how you would answer that question.

Good luck with your venture.

Thank you for your comment. I personally define success with results. And, if the vision is to create a sustainable economy, that must be tracked. We are currently in development for a program, our Eco-Standards, that will assist business members in both tracking and reducing waste, energy and water. Additionally, it is designed to provide education, information and incentives to engage in sustainable transportation, procurement, supply chain management, indoor air quality, materials and resources and community and social equity. I can hardly wait for this program to launch!