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This post is the follow up to last week’s called Can AI Solve The Climate Crisis? We Ask ChattyG.

Because it turns out that ChattyG (aka ChatGPT or AI) has an excellent plan for reversing the climate emergency that is now threatening to bring about the extinction of all life on Earth. I mean, isn’t that the best news ever? We can solve the climate crisis! Oh wait, so if we have everything we need right now to sort this out, it begs the next question, why aren’t we doing it?

If we know all too well what needs to be done, why isn’t every nation on the planet pulling together and taking urgent, cohesive and galvanised action around this one single focus? Which is saving ourselves. Surely nothing else matters right now? Everything else is trivial in comparison. There are no jobs on a dead planet, no share markets, no businesses, schools, universities, hospitals, and so on. Yet what are politicians focusing on (particularly here in Aotearoa NZ in the run up to an election)? They’re campaigning on things like how they’re going to fix pot holes in the roads. It’s like arguing in the kitchen of a burning house about whether to have a floral or striped tablecloth.

In the face of such bewildering… what? Stupidity? Delusion? Denial? Inadequacy? (you choose) on the part of our human ‘leaders’, let’s once again ask ChattyG the big question: Why aren’t humans acting quickly enough to address the climate crisis?

Here’s what ChattyG had to say: The question of why humans aren’t acting quickly enough to address the climate crisis is complex and multifaceted. Several factors contribute to the relatively slow response to this urgent global issue:

Lack of Awareness: Many people may not fully understand the gravity of the climate crisis, its immediate impacts, or its long-term consequences. Raising awareness and educating the public about climate change is crucial to drive action.
Economic Interests: Fossil fuel industries and other sectors heavily invested in the status quo often resist change because transitioning to more sustainable practices can be economically challenging in the short term. This economic inertia can slow down progress.
Political Obstacles: Climate policies can be highly divisive, with political leaders sometimes prioritising short-term interests or re-election campaigns over long-term environmental concerns. In some cases, climate denial or skepticism has played a role in delaying action.
Global Coordination: Climate change is a global issue that requires international cooperation. Negotiating and implementing effective global agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, can be slow and challenging due to differing national interests.
Psychological Distance: Some people perceive climate change as a distant or abstract issue, believing it won’t significantly affect them personally. This psychological distance can lead to inaction.
Inequality: Vulnerable communities often bear the brunt of climate change’s effects, while those with more resources may feel less urgency to act. Addressing social and economic inequalities is intertwined with addressing the climate crisis.
Technological and Infrastructural Challenges: Transitioning to renewable energy and sustainable practices often requires significant technological advancements and infrastructure changes, which can be time-consuming and costly.
Human Nature: Humans are generally resistant to change, especially when it disrupts established habits and lifestyles. People may resist adopting more sustainable behaviours due to comfort, convenience, or inertia.
Short-Term Focus: Many decision-makers prioritize short-term gains over long-term benefits. However, addressing climate change requires a long-term perspective that values sustainability over immediate profit.
Complexity: Climate change is a highly complex issue with interconnected causes and consequences. Finding effective solutions requires navigating this complexity and implementing a wide range of policies and actions.

It’s essential to recognize that progress is being made, and there are efforts at various levels to address the climate crisis. However, the urgency of the issue calls for accelerated action, increased public awareness, political will, and widespread cooperation on a global scale. Overcoming these challenges and acting swiftly to mitigate and adapt to climate change remains one of humanity’s greatest collective tests.

I think ChattyG’s final pragmatic paragraph is a lovely way to end… it offers some hope: “It’s essential to recognize that progress is being made…” Yes. There are a lot of very determined people with brilliant minds who are working hard on this issue (sadly, few of them are politicians). Progress is being made and it is gaining momentum.

ChattyG also calls out the need for “widespread co-operation on a global scale”. This is the very reason I am a champion of the B Corp movement. B Corp is a global community of businesses that are seeking to transform our global economic system to one that values people and planet in equal measure to profit. Certified B Corps have made a commitment to no longer sacrifice people and planet for the sake of financial profit. Happily, they’re usually much more profitable for doing so, proving that true prosperity is when everybody wins – not just the one per cent.

The quicker we have a collective mindset shift on the real meaning of ‘success’ and redefine our ideas on this, the quicker we can harness the power, creativity, and innovation of the business sector to work on solving the climate crisis, rather than driving it.

Become a B Corp

Here at Grow Good, we exist to coach people through the process of becoming B Corp certified.

The B Corp Impact Assessment framework is free to access and provides dozens of useful insights and opportunities for any business but it can be confusing and overwhelming.

We are consultants who have completed the official training provided by B Lab, the organisation that runs the B Corp certification programme. We live, breathe and sleep B Corp. We are your friendly B Corp buddies. We make it easier. We translate the questions into plain English and give you a host of template policies and example documents so you don’t have to start everything from scratch or reinvent the wheel. We show you how to unlock the big point scoring areas most relevant to your business.

Are you ready to go B Corp? It’s completely your decision but if you are, and if you think it would be helpful to have a guiding hand through the process, we’re here to help. Drop us a line or jump straight in and book a free 30 min discovery call with me.

Yours in purpose,

Ngā manaakitanga,

Tamara

tamara@growgood.co

Okay, we’re going a bit left-field with the Grow Good blog this week. It all started when we saw that it’s open mic night at our local comedy club soon. And yes, it’s true we have dabbled in stand-up comedy in the past… could we do it again? And if so what subjects would our comedy routine address? The big question is, could we make serious subjects like becoming a B Corp, social justice and climate change, well, funny? Can we win hearts and minds for the cause through comedy?

There was only one thing to do. Ask ChatGPT. Turns out, ChapGPT considers itself quite the comedian. When we asked it to write us a stand-up comedy routine about B Corps, it rattled off several versions without breaking a sweat, we’re sharing the first of those routines here. So, please, welcome to the stage Chappy G! [Whoo! Crowd goes wild…]

“Thank you! Thanks so much, yes, ladies and gentlemen, give it up for B Corps! Yeah, you know, those businesses that are all about balancing purpose and profit. It’s like trying to convince your grandma that you can eat cake for breakfast and still be healthy. It’s a tough sell, but somehow, they make it work.

So, B Corps, they’re like the unicorns of the business world. You don’t see them every day, but when you do, you’re like, “Whoa, that’s some magical stuff right there.” I mean, they’re companies that actually care about more than just the bottom line. It’s like finding a billionaire who volunteers at the local animal shelter. It’s rare, but when it happens, you can’t help but be impressed.

But let’s be honest, being a B Corp is no easy feat. It’s like trying to keep your cool while your toddler is throwing a tantrum in the middle of a grocery store. You’re juggling social and environmental responsibilities while still trying to make a profit. It’s like spinning plates, except the plates are made of recycled paper and the sticks are bamboo. It’s a delicate balance, my friends.

And let’s not forget about the certification process. B Corps have to go through this rigorous assessment to prove that they’re not just greenwashing their way into our hearts. It’s like going to the DMV, but instead of testing your driving skills, they’re testing your ability to save the planet. Can you imagine? “Parallel park this hybrid car, and if you hit the curb, sorry, no B Corp certification for you.”

But hey, being a B Corp does come with its perks. They get to hang out with other socially conscious businesses, like a support group for companies who want to change the world. They probably have their own secret handshake or something. I can just imagine two B Corp CEOs meeting at a conference, and one says, “Hey, I’m a B Corp,” and the other replies, “No way, me too! Let’s hug it out and brainstorm ways to make the world a better place.”

But you know, being a B Corp also raises some interesting questions. Like, what happens if a B Corp and a regular corporation go on a blind date? Can you imagine the conversation?

B Corp: “So, what are your values?” Regular Corp: “Uh, profits?” B Corp: “Oh, how cute. Well, I’m all about people and the planet.” Regular Corp: “That’s nice, but can we talk about mergers and acquisitions instead?”

In the end, though, we need more B Corps in the world. They’re like the superheroes of the business world, fighting for a better future. They’re like Batman, but instead of a cape, they wear sustainable clothing. And instead of a Batmobile, they drive a Prius. They may not have superpowers, but they have something even better – a genuine commitment to making a positive impact.

So, next time you come across a B Corp, give them a high-five, or maybe even a fist bump if you’re into that. They’re the ones trying to change the world, one ethically sourced coffee bean at a time. And hey, if they can make purpose and profit work together, who knows? Maybe one day we’ll all be eating cake for breakfast. Thank you, and goodnight! I’ve been Chappy G…”

So, there you go. What do you think? Is Chappy G a comedy genius? Should we take this routine to our local comedy club on open mic night? Please give your scores out of 10 on the funny-o-meter in the comments below. Next week, let’s see what Chappy G says about climate change.

Fankya Fanyaverrymush, I’m here every Friday. Try the fish…

Kia kaha

Tamara

tamara@growgood.co

Are you Ready to B Better?

Ready to take the plunge towards becoming a B Corp business? Let the Grow Good team guide you through the process either through 1:1 coaching or group coaching on one of our regular cohort programmes. Book a 30-min B Corp discovery call with Tamara here.

Tag Archive for: ai

Why aren’t humans urgently addressing the climate crisis? We ask ChattyG

Become a B Corp

A stand-up comedy routine about B Corps written by ChatGPT

But you know, being a B Corp also raises some interesting questions. Like, what happens if a B Corp and a regular corporation go on a blind date? Can you imagine the conversation?

B Corp: “So, what are your values?” Regular Corp: “Uh, profits?” B Corp: “Oh, how cute. Well, I’m all about people and the planet.” Regular Corp: “That’s nice, but can we talk about mergers and acquisitions instead?”

Are you Ready to B Better?

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